Alberta disability benefits: programs, amounts and how to apply

You are not behind. These programs exist because costs are real. Here is what is available, in plain words.

Alberta changed its disability income programs in July 2026. There are now two: AISH and the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). You apply for either with one combined application.

Financial, health and employment supports for adults whose severe disability significantly limits employment, either continuously or on an episodic basis. People must be at least 18, not eligible for Old Age Security, live in Alberta, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• How much: $1,740 a month. People who moved from AISH to ADAP in July 2026 get a $200 monthly transition amount until December 31, 2027. The page says health and personal benefits average $400 a month.
• How to apply: Use the combined Disability Income Assistance application (form DS2444A), or call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre.
• Phone: 780-644-9992 or toll-free 1-877-644-9992 (8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday)
• Earnings before your financial benefit is affected: ADAP single $700 a month, ADAP parent $1,100, a partner $1,500. ADAP clients can earn up to $45,240 a year and keep receiving the financial benefit.
• Official page: Alberta: ADAP (published Oct. 9, 2026)

Financial and health benefits for adult Albertans whose severe disability permanently prevents employment.

• How much: The AISH page does not print a dollar amount and points to the AISH and ADAP benefit estimator. The ADAP page says the transition amount keeps the existing AISH amount, so the last published AISH rate works out to $1,740 plus $200, or $1,940 a month. Use the estimator for your own case. Earnings before your benefit is affected: $350 a month for a single person or parent.
• How to apply: Use the same combined Disability Income Assistance application (form DS2444A).
• Phone: 780-644-9992 or toll-free 1-877-644-9992
• The page says recent changes affect how much a person can earn before benefits are affected.
• Official page: Alberta: Disability Income Assistance (published Oct. 5, 2026)

Coverage that comes with the program, or that you can ask about.

• Health benefits with AISH and ADAP: The ADAP page says health and personal benefits average $400 a month. AISH clients keep health benefits too. Ask the contact centre what is covered for you. Phone: 1-877-644-9992. Official page: Alberta: ADAP (published Oct. 9, 2026).

Help with rent and housing costs. Ask whether it can be paid at the same time as your income program.

• Rent Assistance Benefit: Use the Find Housing tool on the Alberta page to see what is open to you. Phone: 1-877-644-9992. Official page: Alberta: Rent assistance.

Door-to-door rides for people who cannot use regular buses. You usually apply once and the service confirms who qualifies.

• Access Calgary: Calgary's service. The page says to apply and attend an in-person interview. Phone: 403-537-7770. Official page: Calgary Transit Access: eligibility and how to apply.
• Edmonton DATS: Edmonton's Disabled Adult Transit Service. Other Alberta cities run their own service, so ask your city. Phone: 780-496-4567. Official page: Edmonton: About DATS.

Permits are issued by the province or by a named organization.

• Parking placard: Apply for the placard through Alberta. Registry offices help with it. Phone: 780-427-7013. Official page: Alberta: Get a parking placard.

Legal aid can help if a benefit is refused or cut off. Ask about an appeal.

• Legal Aid Alberta: Use the official site to check if you qualify and how to apply. Phone: 1-866-845-3425. Official page: Immigration and Refugee Board: List of legal aid offices (modified July 10, 2025).

These come through your tax return. File every year, even with no income, so the CRA can work them out.

• Alberta credits on your return (2025 tax year): Disability amount for yourself: $17,219 (AB428, line 58440). Caregiver amount: up to $12,922 per person. The Alberta child and family benefit is paid in four instalments and you do not apply for it. The Alberta family employment tax credit ended after 2025. Official page: CRA: Alberta tax information for 2025 (modified Jan. 20, 2026).

We link to the official page for each program. These are the things the pages do not settle, so it helps to ask:

• Whether you are on AISH or ADAP, and why.
• What happens to a partner's payment.
• Your health benefits.

Federal programs are paid by the federal government and are the same in every province and territory. Your provincial office may count some of them as income, so ask how they fit together.

• Federal disability programs and amounts
• Disability Tax Credit
• RDSP
• Tax help hub

• Say who you are and your province: "I am calling to ask about disability support."
• Ask: "What programs could I apply for, and what do I need to bring?"
• Ask: "How does working or saving a little affect my payment?"
• Ask: "What happens to my health and drug coverage?"
• Write down the date, the name of the person and what they said. Ask for it in writing if you can.