INTENT

To assist clients with the costs of specific travel expenses.

POLICY

In order to receive a personal benefit, the eligibility criteria as outlined in the Personal Benefits section must be met.

AISH provides a travel benefit for a client or their dependent child, to assist with the costs of traveling, in specific circumstances.  Travel benefits are not provided to cover employment-related travel expenses. 

Travel benefits may also be provided to the client to pay for a person to accompany them or their dependent child, except for travel to access employment, training, or a structured program.

• Health-Related Travel
  Travel required to access health services that are covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, AISH or the Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) programs:
  • For a medical condition that requires frequent access to health services and is life threatening or that could be permanently debilitating unless the services are provided, or
  • Travel outside the community is required to receive non-emergency services for health reasons; or
  • Travel outside the home community to receive addictions treatment in a residential addiction program approved by Alberta Health Services. 
    
    
• Court or Requested Travel
  • Travel outside the community to appear in court if required by the Government of Canada or the Government of Alberta;
  • Travel outside the community to comply with a court order; or
  • Travel requested by AISH.
    
    
• Training or Structured Program Travel
  • Access to a training or employment program that supports efforts to obtain employment; or
  • Access to a structured program.
  • A structured program contains one or more of the following elements regardless of whether the program is in the day or evening:
    • Life skills;
    • Pre-employment;
    • Work experience and volunteering; or
    • Training or education.
      
      
• Child Care
  The Child Care allowance may be issued in situations where it is unreasonable for the dependent child to accompany the client, and no other adult family member is available to provide child care.
  
  
• Food
  A travel benefit for food may be provided if the client is required to travel for more than 24 hours outside their home community. Exceptions may be granted to this policy with prior approval.
  
  
• Accommodation
  A travel benefit for accommodation may be provided if the client is required to travel for more than 24 hours outside their home community. Exceptions may be granted to this policy with prior approval.
  

Substantiation

• Health-Related Travel
  Travel for health services covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), AISH or the Alberta AIDS to Daily Living (AADL) programs:
  • A letter from their health services provider that lists the health service, the length of time, location of treatment, and frequency the transportation is required.
    • For health services that require frequent access: the letter must contain confirmation that the condition is life threatening or will leave a permanent debilitating effect unless treated.
  • To attend a residential addictions treatment program, a letter or phone call from the treatment facility. 
    
    
• Training or Structured Program Travel Substantiation
  A document from the training or structured program that confirms the client is enrolled or attending the program, how often they attend and the duration of the program.
  
  
• Court or Requested Travel Substantiation
  • Client appearing in court: A copy of the subpoena, confirmation from Child Support Services or other legal document confirming their requirement for court.
  • Clients under Court Order: A copy of the court order or confirmation from Child Support Services.
    
    
• Food Substantiation
  The client’s verbal statement.
  
  
• Accommodation Substantiation
  • The client’s verbal statement.
  • Quotes or receipts may be requested at the AISH Worker’s discretion.
    
    
• Transportation Substantiation
  • The client’s verbal statement.
  • Quotes or receipts may be requested at the AISH Worker’s discretion.
    
    
• Child Care
  A written statement or receipt from the care provider.
  
  

AISH Workers may request additional documentation if the AISH Worker deems it necessary.

Rates

• Transportation Rate
  • Actual cost of the most economical means of public transportation; or
  • When the individual cannot reasonably be expected to use public transportation, or there is no public transportation:
    • $0.35 per kilometre for private vehicle, or
    • The actual cost of taxi fare.
      
      

• Accommodation Rate
  • Actual cost of a reasonable hotel, motel, or other accommodation, as approved by AISH.

• Food Rate
  • Adult: $24.00 per day.
  • Dependent child: $18.00 per day.

• Child Care Rate
  See Child Care