In this episode of The Lawyo Podcast, we dive into the Alberta Ombudsman’s Programs Adrift report, a full investigation into the systemic failures of Alberta’s Adult and Child Health Benefit programs. This report exposes serious administrative flaws, including excessive delays in processing applications, lost documents, poor communication with applicants, and a lack of accountability between Alberta Health and Seniors, Community and Social Services.

We discuss real-life cases, like Ahmed, a father who struggled for months to secure much-needed benefits for his family, only to be ignored and repeatedly asked to resend documents that had already been submitted. We also break down the Ombudsman’s findings on outdated technology, inconsistent decision-making, and the programs’ failure to properly notify applicants of their rights—including their right to appeal.

With 28 key findings and recommendations for reform, this report raises urgent questions about government inefficiencies and the impact on vulnerable Albertans. If you care about administrative fairness and public accountability, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now!