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CDB and AISH

Alberta has announced that it will be clawing back the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) from Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).

This means that if you receive AISH, your monthly AISH benefit will decrease by the amount of the CDB that you receive. The CDB will, however, be treated as exempt income for AISH recipients who are eligible to receive a Modified Living Allowance, meaning that their AISH benefit will not be reduced by the amount of CDB they receive. 

The Alberta government is requiring AISH recipients to apply for the CDB. All people currently receiving AISH must notify their local AISH office of the status of their CDB application by September 5, 2025. If you do not provide an update by this date, your AISH benefit amount may be reduced.  

For more information, see the Alberta government’s fact sheet on the CDB and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) for AISH recipients. 

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I receive AISH—what do I need to do by September 5?

If you currently receive AISH, you do not need to be approved for the CDB by September 5, but you must contact your local AISH office to provide an update on the steps you are taking to apply for the CDB and the progress you have made. 

For example, you may be at one of the following stages: 

  • Applying for the DTC, which is required to access the CDB 

  • Filing your taxes as the first step to applying for the DTC 

  • Waiting for an appointment with a medical practitioner to complete the DTC medical form 

  • Waiting on a decision about your DTC application 

  • Waiting on a decision about your CDB application 

You can provide an update by: 

  • Answering calls from AISH workers and addressing their questions about your CDB application. AISH is making calls from 8:15 am to 7:15 pm until September 5.  

  • Calling the toll-free AISH line at 1-877-664-9992.  

  • Contacting your local AISH office or visiting in person. Full contact information for AISH offices is available on the Alberta government website. 

How do I complete the CDB Application Status Form? 

When completing the CDB Application Status form you will need to provide your name, the city/town where you live, and your contact details (optional). There is also an option to provide your file number which can be found on your health benefits card (Recipients Card Number) or Direct Deposit Statement (Sequence Number).  

You will need to respond to the following three questions: 

  • Have you filed your 2024 income taxes? 

  • Have you applied for the DTC? 

  • Have you applied for the CDB? 

Select the options that best apply to your situation. If you are working on your application for the CDB/DTC and have not yet submitted it (for example if you are waiting for an appointment with your medical practitioner), we recommend selecting ‘No (planning to apply)’.

This means that your application will be marked as in progress, and you will receive additional time to complete the process of applying. 

AISH will request further updates on your progress in applying for the CDB/DTC. If you receive an application approval or denial, or have any other updates to report, you should contact your local AISH office. 

You do not need to complete the CDB Application Status form if you have already provided an update to AISH.

Do I need documentation to provide updates? 

The Alberta government has indicated that they do not currently require documentation showing your application’s progress, unless your application has been denied; in this case, you will need to provide a copy of your denial letter to your designated AISH Office. 

If your AISH office requires additional documentation as proof of your application status, they will let you know once you have provided your update. It is good practice to keep copies of all documentation related to your benefit applications, in case this is required in the future. 

Plan Institute has also created template letters that you can use to update your local AISH office. There are three templates that you can choose from depending on what stage you are at with your application:  

If you use the template letters above, we recommend providing as much documentation as possible to support your update. This might include your application submission reference codes, any written correspondence with your medical practitioners, and your determination letters. 

Within each template, you can select the progress step that best applies to you. You can also adapt the letter based on your circumstances.

I do not want to apply for the CDB. What happens if I do not provide an update? 

The Alberta government has indicated that AISH recipients who have not provided an update on the status of their DTC and/or CDB application by September 5 may see an equivalent amount to the CDB benefit (a maximum of $200) deducted from their monthly AISH benefits, beginning with the October period of assistance. 

What if my DTC application has been denied in the past? 

If you were denied the DTC prior to 2025, the Alberta government has stated that you will be required to reapply for the DTC.  

If your application was denied in 2025, you will need to provide proof of the denial to avoid a reduction in your AISH benefit amount. 

What if I can’t cover the medical fees associated with the DTC application? 

In the 2024 budget, the federal government announced that it would provide funding to help cover the cost of medical fees required to complete the DTC application. However, it has not yet provided an update on when this funding will be released or how it will work in practice.  

In the meantime, if you are an AISH recipient and need help paying for the DTC medical form, you can ask AISH to cover the cost. You do not have to prove financial hardship to get this help.  

There is currently no formal application form for reimbursement. To request this support, you will need to:  

  • Get a quote or invoice from your medical practitioner for the DTC medical form. 

  • Contact your local AISH office with the quote or invoice to request reimbursement. 

An AISH Senior Manager will review your request. They may approve the payment on the condition that you repay AISH in the future, if the federal government reimburses you. 

What is happening to change Alberta’s decision about clawing back the CDB? 

Plan Institute and our partners in Alberta and across the country are working together to urge the Alberta government to reconsider their decision. For example, we recently sent a letter with our partners at the National Disability Network to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon. Read the letter here. 

During the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government called on provinces and territories to ensure the CDB does not result in clawbacks of other benefits and said it would take action to prevent this from happening. However, it is unclear what that may involve.