Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act, sections 6(2) and (3)
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped General Regulation, section 13 

INTENT

To provide information on the resources and responsibilities for AISH staff to share with AISH financial administrators, as necessary, to assist them in their role of managing client benefits.

POLICY

Financial administrators (FAs) have the same obligations under the AISH Act and Regulations as the client whose benefits they administer. They are also required to maintain records of receipts and disbursements of the client's benefits and provide them to AISH when requested to do so.  Further information about program requirements can be found in the Maintaining Eligibility section.

The AISH program has an obligation to ensure FAs are acting in the best interest of the AISH client and appropriately administering benefits for the intended purpose. If the AISH program identifies a concern or issue with the FAs administration of the benefits, the program director will request all documentation as proof of appropriate administration of a client’s benefits.

For this purpose, FAs are advised to keep the client’s records for the lifetime of the client and a reasonable period of time thereafter.  This timeframe ensures that the AISH program can confirm that the FA has been acting in the best interest of the client. 

To assist FAs in their reporting obligations, the AISH worker may suggest a FA complete the Monthly Financial Analysis for AISH Funds (DS0007).  This is an optional tool FAs can use to track receipts and disbursements.

Resources for Financial Administrators

AISH program staff may consider providing credible resources to assist FAs in their role. One such example is listed below. However, the AISH program does not specifically endorse any external resources, nor does the use of external resources absolve FAs of their duties under the program.

• The Financial Consumer Agency has several resources for creating a budget and budgeting tools. Please note, this group is a federal government agency.

RELATED PROGRAMS

The AISH worker may share additional information about other programs that are available through the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT).  Some of the programs offered by the OPGT include:

Trusteeship:  The courts give a trustee the legal authority to make financial decisions for a vulnerable adult.  This type of formal relationship may be needed if an AISH client is not capable of making financial decisions and has additional income or assets, such as property, investments, or trusts. 

Guardianship:  Guardians are allowed to make personal non-financial decisions on behalf of an adult.  Guardians are appointed by the court. 

Help with Decision Making:   If an adult is able to make non-financial decisions with support from another person, it can be done through supported decision-making or co-decision making.