Alberta's AISH to ADAP Transition: What Disability Benefit Recipients Need to Know in 2026

TL;DR

Starting July 1, 2026, Alberta's AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) program is being replaced by ADAP (Alberta Disability Assistance Program). Existing recipients are automatically transferred and keep their current income until December 31, 2027. After that, benefit amounts and eligibility may change.

What Is the ADAP Program in Alberta?

The Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) is a new income and employment support program for Albertans with severe disabilities who are considered capable of working. It replaces AISH for most recipients starting July 1, 2026, and places a stronger emphasis on employment participation as a condition of receiving full benefits.

AISH was designed for people permanently unable to work. ADAP targets individuals whose disabilities significantly restrict, but do not completely prevent, employment. That's a meaningful distinction, and one that has advocacy groups paying close attention.

How Much Will You Get on ADAP?

The maximum monthly living allowance under ADAP is $1,740. For context, AISH recipients currently receive up to $1,940 per month. That’s a difference of $200, which is quite significant.

For existing AISH clients, there's a built-in buffer. A monthly transition top-up of $200 will be paid until December 31, 2027. This keeps total income equivalent to current AISH levels during that period. After 2027, that top-up disappears, and for recipients who haven't secured employment, that gap becomes real.

New applicants applying after July 1, 2026, receive no transition benefit. The $1,740 maximum applies from day one.

Key Number

$200/month

The difference between maximum AISH ($1,940) and maximum ADAP ($1,740) — covered by a temporary top-up until December 31, 2027.

What Is the Difference Between ADAP and AISH?

Here's the most important thing to understand: AISH and ADAP are designed for different groups of people.

AISH was built for Albertans who are permanently unable to work due to a severe disability. Eligibility is primarily medical.

ADAP is built for Albertans whose disability is severe but who have some capacity for employment. The program includes strong employment incentives. Recipients can earn over $45,000 annually before financial assistance is fully phased out. That's the highest permitted employment income of any provincial disability program in Canada.

The health and personal benefits (prescription drug coverage, dental) remain in place under ADAP regardless of how much a recipient earns. That's one of the more recipient-friendly elements of the new program.

Is Alberta Getting Rid of AISH?

Not entirely, but it's being significantly restructured.

AISH, as a standalone program for most recipients, effectively ends July 1, 2026. However, the AISH designation still exists for people who qualify under a medical review. Under the new system, new applicants are first assessed for ADAP. If the new Medical Review Panel determines someone cannot work at all, they can be placed on AISH.

Critically, that Medical Review Panel decision is final. There is no appeal process for medical eligibility under ADAP. This is a significant change from the current system, where recipients could appeal to an independent Citizen's Appeal Panel.

Some groups are exempt from the transition altogether and remain on AISH automatically:

• Albertans 60 years of age or older

• Those living in continuing care homes

• People with palliative conditions

If you fall into one of these categories, your benefits are not affected by the July 1 transition.

Why It Matters, and Why Some Albertans Are Pushing Back

The Alberta government's stated goal is to encourage workforce participation and give people with disabilities more economic independence. The $45,000 earnings threshold is genuinely high by Canadian standards. It's a meaningful incentive for those who can work.

But the concerns raised by disability advocates are equally real.

The appeal rights issue is significant. Under the current AISH system, if a doctor's assessment puts you in the wrong category, you have recourse. Under ADAP, if the Medical Review Panel places you on ADAP instead of AISH, that decision cannot be challenged. For people with fluctuating or complex conditions, this is a meaningful loss of protection.

The "capable of working" assumption is contested. Critics point out that having some employment capacity on paper doesn't mean employment is realistically accessible. Transportation barriers, employer discrimination, inconsistent symptoms, and lack of accommodating workplaces all affect whether someone can actually hold a job. The policy, they argue, places the burden of those systemic failures on the individual.

The 2028 cliff is a real financial planning concern. The transition top-up ends December 31, 2027. Recipients who haven't found employment by then may face genuine barriers to working. For them, a $200 monthly income drop is not a small number when living on disability benefits.

Reassessment costs are now the recipient's responsibility in some cases. If you've transitioned to ADAP and believe you should qualify for AISH, you can apply for medical reassessment. The province covers the cost of one assessment. After that, additional assessments are at the recipient's expense.

What You Can Do Right Now

This is a situation where being proactive matters more than it usually does.

Here's what makes practical sense for recipients between now and the end of 2027:

1. Confirm your transition status. Existing AISH clients are automatically moved to ADAP, but if you believe you qualify for the AISH exemptions (age 60+, continuing care, or palliative), contact Alberta Supports to confirm your file is correctly categorized.

2. Use the covered medical assessment if needed. The province covers one reassessment for transitioning clients who believe they belong on AISH. If that applies to you, use it before the transition and before the window closes.

3. Budget for 2028 now. The $200/month transition top-up ends December 31, 2027. If you're on ADAP and unlikely to secure employment before then, understanding that income change now gives you more time to plan.

4. Connect with a disability advocate. The appeal process changes are complex, and an independent advocate can help you understand your options — especially regarding the new Medical Review Panel process.

A note of caution: The full implementation details of ADAP are still being communicated, and some program specifics may be updated before or after July 1. Always verify your specific situation directly with Alberta Supports or the Alberta Disability Assistance Program homepage.

Pay Attention to These Dates

• July 1, 2026: All existing AISH clients automatically transition to ADAP (unless exempt)

• December 31, 2027: Transition top-up ($200/month) ends for ADAP recipients

• 2028 onward: Recipients unable to secure employment may face benefit reductions and must undergo reassessment to re-qualify for AISH

For a full breakdown of upcoming payment dates, visit our AISH payment dates guide.

Signals to Monitor

1. Alberta.ca updates: The Alberta Disability Assistance Program homepage is the authoritative source for eligibility and program changes as implementation unfolds.

2. Advocacy group communications: Organizations like Disability Without Poverty and local Alberta advocacy groups are tracking implementation closely and flagging issues as they arise.

FAQs

What is the ADAP program in Alberta?

ADAP (Alberta Disability Assistance Program) is Alberta's new income and employment support program for Albertans with severe disabilities who have some capacity to work. It replaces AISH for most recipients starting July 1, 2026. The maximum monthly payment is $1,740, and recipients can earn up to $45,000 annually without losing all financial support.

What is the difference between ADAP and AISH?

AISH was designed for Albertans permanently unable to work. ADAP is designed for those whose disability restricts but doesn't prevent employment. ADAP has a lower maximum monthly benefit ($1,740 vs. $1,940 for AISH) but allows much higher employment earnings. The appeal process for medical decisions is also more limited under ADAP.

Is Alberta getting rid of AISH?

AISH is being restructured rather than eliminated. Starting July 1, 2026, most recipients will be moved to ADAP. AISH still exists for those determined to be permanently unable to work by the new Medical Review Panel, as well as for those 60 or older, living in continuing care, or with palliative conditions, who are exempt from the transition.

This article reflects government announcements as of June 2026. Program details may change. Verify your specific situation through official Alberta government channels or Alberta Supports.