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AISH Program Policy

Published Date: January 01, 2024
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Benefits

Core Benefits

Modified Living Allowance

AUTHORITY

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act, section 3(2); Schedule 1, section 3
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped General Regulation, sections 1(2)(c) and 2(a)

INTENT

To provide a modified living allowance to clients who live in a facility.

POLICY

AISH provides a monthly modified living allowance consisting of a personal allowance and an accommodation rate to assist clients living in a facility. The modified living allowance may be reduced if a client and their cohabiting partner have non-exempt income.

AISH clients receiving a modified living allowance are eligible for health benefits and personal benefits, providing that the eligibility criteria for these benefits are met. The eligibility criteria for personal benefits for clients who reside in a facility also includes that:

  • The benefit is not provided by the facility, or
  • An additional fee is charged by the facility for the benefit.


Facilities

Applicants or clients residing in the following facilities may be eligible to receive a modified living allowance:

  • Nursing homes as defined in the Nursing Homes Act;
  • Spaces in hospitals or auxiliary hospitals as defined in the Hospitals Act in which a person receives similar care as received in a nursing home that is not designated as a facility under the Mental Health Regulation;
Note
This includes situations where an applicant or client is admitted to a hospital from a facility and the operator is holding the bed or where the client is waiting for an approved facility bed and a per diem rate is charged.
  • Spaces in a residential facility approved by AISH as a designated supportive living (DSL) unit where the person is admitted or discharged by Alberta Health Services on the basis of health needs; or
  • Spaces in a residential facility approved by AISH in exceptional circumstances when an applicant or client has unique care needs.


In addition, the following facilities have been approved by AISH:

  • Everglades Special Care Lodge (Parkland County)
  • Kentwood Place (Red Deer)
  • Ridgestone Lodge (Black Diamond)


Approved Hospitals and Nursing Homes in Alberta are identified on the Hospital and nursing home facility lists.

Rates

The modified living allowance consists of the following rates. AISH determines the personal allowance rate and Alberta Health determines the accommodation room rate charges which are outlined in the Nursing Homes Operation Regulation.

A. Personal Allowance Rate

Monthly rate of $357.

 

Rate History – Personal Allowance

$357
January 1, 2024

$342
January 1, 2023

$322
January 1, 2019

$315
April 1, 2007

$265
January 1, 2006

$175
May 1, 1988

$52
October 1, 1981

 $44
April 1, 1981

$40
October 1, 1980

$36
April 1, 1980 

$35
November 1, 1979 

 

 

B. Accommodation Rate

There are two types of accommodation room rates provided: private and standard.

1. Private Rate

Monthly rate of $2,286 or daily rate of $74.95.

 

Rate History – Private Room Rate

$2,286 ($74.95 daily) 
October 1, 2023

$2,201 ($72.35 daily) 
November 1, 2022

$2,132 ($70.10 daily)
July 1, 2021

$2,120 ($69.70 daily)
October 1, 2020

$2,074 ($68.00 daily)
July 1, 2019

$2,036 ($66.95 daily)
July 1, 2018

$1,992 ($65.50 daily)
July 1, 2017

$1,950 ($64.10 daily)
July 1, 2016

$1,893 ($62.24 daily)
July 1, 2015

$1,839 ($60.24 daily)
July 1, 2014

$1,785 ($58.70 daily)
January 1, 2013

$1,700 ($55.90 daily)
February 1, 2011

$1,650 ($54.25 daily)
November 1, 2008

$1,544 ($50.75 daily)
October 1, 2007

$1,469 ($48.30 daily)
August 1, 2003

$992 ($32.60 daily)
January 1, 2002

No other increases since 1994

 

 

 


The private room rate is issued to clients who are residents of:

    • Nursing homes;
    • Auxiliary or active treatment hospitals (when a daily rate is charged);
    • Approved DSL facilities (except DSL spaces in lodges); or
    • One of the three residences listed above.

 

2. Standard Rate

Monthly rate of $1,880 or daily rate of $61.65.

 

Rate History – Standard Room Rate

$1,880 ($61.65 daily)
October 1, 2023

$1,810 ($59.50 daily)
November 1, 2022

$1,754 ($57.65 daily)
July 1, 2021

$1,743 ($57.30 daily)
October 1, 2020

$1,705 ($55.90 daily)
July 1, 2019

$1,673 ($55.00 daily)
July 1, 2018

$1,636 ($53.80 daily)
July 1, 2017

$1,601 ($52.65 daily)
July 1, 2016

$1,554 ($51.09 daily)
July 1, 2015

$1,509 ($49.60 daily)
July 1, 2014 

$1,465 ($48.14 daily)
January 1, 2013 

$1,395 ($45.85 daily)
February 1, 2011

$1,354 ($44.50 daily)
November 1, 2008

$1,262 ($41.50 daily)
October 1, 2007 

$1,205 ($39.62 daily)
August 1, 2003

$858 ($28.22 daily)
January 1, 2002

No other increases since 1994

 

 

 

 
The standard room rate is issued to clients who are residents of approved DSL spaces in lodges that receive funding from the Lodge Assistance Program.

Modified Living Allowance Amounts Provided for the Month a Client Enters a Facility

Scenario Policy Example
Applicant commencing on AISH lives in a facility. Regardless of the day of the month that the applicant is commenced, the personal allowance and appropriate accommodation rates are issued for the entire month. Client commences AISH benefits on March 15:
Personal Allowance: $357
Accommodation Rate: $2,286
(based on the monthly private room rate)
Total: $2,643
Client transfers into a facility on the first day of the month (AISH living allowance has not been provided for the month). The personal allowance and appropriate accommodation rates are issued for the entire month. Client enters a facility on March 1:
Personal Allowance: $357
Accommodation Rate: $2,286
(based on the monthly private room rate)
Total: $2,643
Client transfers into a facility after the first day of the month. The personal allowance rate is not issued for the month because the client has already received a living allowance.

The per diem accommodation rate is issued for the remainder of days in the month for which a per diem is charged.

Allowing these clients to receive both the AISH living allowance and the accommodation rate recognizes that the client may have expenses from before they moved into the facility e.g., a rent payment.

In the following months, the personal allowance and appropriate accommodation rates are issued for the entire month.
Client enters a facility on March 12:
Living Allowance: $1,863
Accommodation Rate: $1,499
($74.95 per diem private room rate x 20 days)
Total March benefits: $3,362

 

Income Hardship Exemption

A financial hardship income exemption may be available when an applicant or client and their cohabiting partner are separated due to one partner residing in a facility.