Alberta.ca » Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual

Skip To Navigation

Skip To Content



Learner Policy & Procedures

Published Date: April 16, 2021
Bookmark this page

Learner Income Support Benefits

Continuous Supplementary Benefits (General Policies)

Handicap Benefit

AUTHORITY

Income Support, Training and Health Benefits Regulation, Schedule 4, section 2
Full Time Learners:  Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Advanced Education)
Full Time Learners:  Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Labour and Immigration)

INTENT

The Government of Alberta assists learner households where the learner and/or their spouse/partner suffer from a severe handicap, as defined by the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Regulation.

POLICY

The Government of Alberta may pay a handicap benefit when the learner or their spouse/partner:

  • has been determined by an AISH Administrator to have a severe handicap as defined under the AISH Regulation


or

  • the Supervisor of an Alberta Supports Centre determines, based on medical information provided on the EMP 0207 Medical Information, the individual has a severe handicap as defined under AISH Regulation.


Rate

See: Benefit Rate Table

PROCEDURE

For AISH clients applying for Learner Income Support, this benefit will be provided automatically. Individuals who have medical problems consistent with the AISH Regulation definition of a ‘severe handicap’ must request the Handicap benefit on a Learner Income Support Application (Full-Time Study) or a Change in Circumstances form.

For Barriers to Full Employment (BFE) clients applying for Learner Income Support, verification must be provided indicating that they are currently in receipt of the Handicap Benefit (e.g. copy of most recent Income Support benefit stub).

For individuals not previously in receipt of Income Support and the Handicap Benefit, a completed EMP 0207 Medical Information must be submitted to an Alberta Supports Centre for approval. The Government of Alberta must give written approval for the Handicap Benefit for the individual to submit to Learner Income Support Office (LISO).

APPROVAL

A supervisor at an Alberta Supports Centre must approve the medical eligibility of all persons not in receipt of AISH.

Learner Benefit Coordinator, LISO issues the benefit for all eligible persons.