Skip to main content
AbleCanada
AB

Alberta

Home to AISH and FSCD, Alberta offers robust disability income support and children's services, with the new ADAP program launching July 2026.

Provincial Programs

Income Support

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

Up to $1,901/month (2025)

Alberta's primary income support for adults with a permanent disability that severely limits their ability to earn a living. Includes health benefits for the recipient, spouse, and dependent children. CRITICAL: Alberta claws back the $200 CDB from AISH recipients dollar-for-dollar. Priority processing is available for terminal and palliative cases. Budget 2025 included $49 million in cuts to the AISH program, though the government claims no income loss due to CDB offset — advocates strongly dispute this.

Eligibility: Must be an Alberta resident aged 18+, have a permanent medical condition that severely limits ability to earn a living, and meet financial eligibility criteria including asset limits.

Official website

Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)

Proposed core benefit: up to $1,740/month (ADAP) vs $1,940/month (AISH post-launch)

NEW program launching July 1, 2026, for people with severe disabilities who ARE able to work. Features the highest employment income exemption in Canada. A single combined application covers both AISH and ADAP. All existing AISH clients will transition to ADAP on July 1, 2026, and can request reassessment for AISH through December 31, 2027. Regulations expected Spring 2026.

Eligibility: Must be an Alberta resident with a severe disability who has the ability to work. Financial eligibility criteria apply. Single combined application with AISH.

Official website

Children's Services

Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)

Individualized support services (not monthly cash payments)

Alberta's program supporting families caring for children with disabilities. Not diagnosis-based but needs-based for each individual family and child. An Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) is created with an assigned worker. Covers autism therapy, respite, child care, school support, and counseling. Enhanced Family Support available for higher-needs children. NOTE: Families moving FROM Ontario TO Alberta for better autism supports is a documented trend. Significant waitlists exist.

Eligibility: Child must be under 18, an Alberta resident, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Assessment is needs-based, not diagnosis-based.

Official website

Equipment & Aids

Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)

Covers 75% of approved costs for most items; 100% for some items

A provincial program that helps Albertans with a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness by covering a portion of the cost of basic medical equipment and supplies needed for daily living.

Eligibility: Must be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan number and have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness requiring medical equipment.

Official website

Other Programs

Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)

Varies based on assessed needs and service plan

Alberta's program for adults 18+ with a developmental disability diagnosed before age 18. Provides residential care, employment support, and community programs through a network of service providers like Entrust Disability Services. Application can begin at age 16 with services starting at age 18. Coordinated application process with AISH. Significant waitlists exist, and funding increases have been below population growth plus inflation rate (7.3%).

Eligibility: Must be an Alberta resident aged 18+ with a developmental disability that was diagnosed before age 18. Apply starting at age 16.

Official website

Federal Programs (7)

Available nationwide — click to expand

Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)

$200/month

A new federal benefit providing $200/month for persons aged 18-64 with low income who have Disability Tax Credit approval. First month of eligibility was June 2025 with payments starting July 2025. Back payments available up to 24 months from application date. Most provinces have exempted the CDB from provincial benefit calculations, but Alberta claws back CDB from AISH recipients dollar-for-dollar.

Learn more

Canada Pension Plan - Disability (CPP-D)

2025 rates: Basic $598.49/month, Average $1,203.88/month, Maximum $1,673.24/month; Children's benefit: $301.77/month per child

A monthly taxable benefit for people who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan and are unable to work due to a severe and prolonged disability. Includes a children's benefit of $301.77/month per child. Quebec residents apply through the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead.

Learn more

Canada's Autism Strategy

A federal autism strategy developed in collaboration with the autistic community, families, service providers, researchers, and provincial/territorial governments. AIDE Canada (Autism & Intellectual Disabilities Knowledge Exchange Network) is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada as part of this strategy, providing online resources, an inventory of services, and 6 in-person locations across Canada.

Learn more

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Covers eligible dental services (no fixed monthly amount)

A federal dental care plan administered through Sun Life, available to eligible Canadians including those with Disability Tax Credit qualification. Covers essential oral health services including preventive care, restorative services, and other dental treatments.

Learn more

Disability Benefit Navigation (DBN) Program

An ESDC-funded program where nonprofits provide one-on-one navigation support to help people with disabilities find and apply for benefits they are entitled to, including DTC, CDB, RDSP, CPP-D, and provincial benefits. Organizations are funded across all provinces and territories to provide free assistance.

Learn more

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

2024 max disability amount: $9,872; supplement for under 18: $5,758

A non-refundable tax credit for individuals with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. The DTC is the gateway to other federal benefits including the Canada Disability Benefit, RDSP, and Child Disability Benefit. Can transfer unused portion to a supporting family member for a refund of up to approximately $1,400.

Learn more

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

Grant: up to $3,500/year; Bond: up to $1,000/year

A long-term savings plan for people with disabilities who have the Disability Tax Credit. The federal government provides matching grants (Canada Disability Savings Grant up to $3,500/year) and bonds (Canada Disability Savings Bond up to $1,000/year for low income). RDSP exemptions from provincial asset tests vary: BC, NL, and Yukon fully exempt RDSP from asset and income tests.

Learn more

Organizations in Alberta

17 found

Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball Society

Edmonton, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 132700733RR0001

Spinal Cord InjuryAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Alberta Sports And Recreation Association For The Blind

Calgary, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 892788431RR0001

Vision Loss / BlindnessAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing-Calgary

Calgary, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 119211555RR0001

Adaptive Recreation & SportsGeneral Disability Support

Edmonton Adaptive Sports Association

Sherwood Park, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 831382387RR0001

Spinal Cord InjuryAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Leisure Way Community Group Home Inc

Cypress County, AB

Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Cypress County, Alberta. Provides housing, residential support.

Intellectual DisabilityHousing & SheltersAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Lethbridge Special Olympics

Lethbridge, AB

Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Lethbridge, Alberta. Provides recreation, sports programs.

Intellectual DisabilityAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation

Medicine Hat, AB

Nonprofit organization providing disability support services in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Offers recreation, sports programs.

Adaptive Recreation & SportsGeneral Disability Support

Riedel Child Development Centre

Fort Mcmurray, AB

Community-focused nonprofit established in 1844 with recreational programs & services for all ages.

Child DevelopmentAdaptive Recreation & SportsGeneral Disability Support

Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre

Canmore, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 843450883RR0001

Spinal Cord InjuryAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Solidance Inclusive Recreation Society

Edmonton, AB

Nonprofit organization providing disability support services in Edmonton, Alberta. Offers advocacy, support groups, resources.

Advocacy & Legal RightsAdaptive Recreation & SportsGeneral Disability Support

Special Olympics Alberta Association

Edmonton, AB

Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 118781145RR0001

Intellectual DisabilityAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Special Olympics Calgary

Calgary, AB

Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Calgary, Alberta. Provides recreation, sports programs.

Intellectual DisabilityAdaptive Recreation & Sports

Know of a service we should list?

This directory grows because people in the community help us find what we've missed. Let us know about organizations, programs, or services across Canada.