In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie continue unpacking Alberta’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), this time focusing on income, benefits, and employment expectations under the new system.

The discussion dives into what the government’s discussion paper outlines for people with disabilities who have “some ability to work,” including how income exemptions will change and what the new employment supports might look like.

In This Episode

• ADAP vs. AISH income differences:
  ADAP’s monthly payment is set at $1,740, compared to $1,940 under AISH — a $200 reduction that assumes recipients can make up the difference through work.
• Lower income exemptions:
  The amount individuals can earn before clawbacks drops from $1,072 to $350 per month, significantly impacting those who can only work a few hours.
• Government case studies:
  • Jasmine: A fictional participant who moves from AISH to ADAP, receives employment supports, and supposedly finds 24 hours of work per week — a scenario Gordon and Annie argue is unrealistic for most.
  • Joe: Another case claiming increased earnings through more work hours, despite unrealistic assumptions about wages, supports, and employer availability.
• Employment supports and realism:
  The hosts question whether meaningful, sustained employment opportunities — and qualified job coaching — truly exist at the scale ADAP assumes.
• Systemic concerns:
  • Many individuals on AISH already struggle to find stable, accessible employment.
  • Alberta’s minimum wage hasn’t increased while costs of living continue to rise.
  • The government’s assumption that jobs and supports will materialize may not reflect real conditions.
• The bigger question:
  Why couldn’t these employment initiatives simply be added to AISH, rather than introducing a new system that reduces benefits and adds uncertainty?

Key Takeaways

• ADAP introduces less money and lower income exemptions — even before clawbacks.
• Government case studies paint an overly optimistic picture that doesn’t match the lived experience of most AISH recipients.
• Employment supports sound good in theory, but questions remain: who’s providing them, are they disability-informed, and are they ongoing?
• Hosts stress the importance of holding the government accountable for ensuring supports are real, continuous, and accessible.
• The next episode will explore how transitions from AISH to ADAP will occur — and what risks recipients may face during the shift.