Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped General Regulation, section 2.1

INTENT

To create consistency and equity in the commencement of AISH benefits.

POLICY

The commencement date is the date that AISH benefits start for approved clients.

The commencement date for AISH is the first of the month in which complete information supporting the decision to provide benefits was received. A commencement interview is held with the applicant to open the AISH file.

New Medical Information Overturns a Decision

If an applicant who is not approved by AISH submits new medical information that overturns the decision, the commencement date is the first of the month when complete information that supports overturning the decision was received.

Eligibility Decision Overturned at Appeal

If an appeal panel overturns an eligibility decision made by AISH, the commencement date is the date specified by the appeal panel.

If the appeal panel does not specify a date, the commencement date is the first of the month when complete information supporting the decision to provide benefits was received.

See Appealing a Decision for more information.

Retroactive Payments

Retroactive payments are issued by lump-sum payment for the entire retroactive period to the date at which benefits should have commenced.

Retroactive payments are not considered income.

Health and Personal Benefits

If eligible health and/or personal benefit costs were incurred during the period of retroactivity and have not already been approved and issued by another Government of Alberta program (e.g. Income Support), they will be:

• Paid if the client presents bills showing that the cost is still outstanding; or
• Reimbursed if the client paid for the benefit(s) and can provide substantiation (e.g. receipt

​Commencement at Age 18

If an AISH application is completed and approved prior to an applicant turning 18, the date of commencement is the first of the month in which the approved applicant turns 18.

Commencement from an Institution

If an AISH application is completed and approved prior to an applicant’s release or discharge from an institution, the commencement date is the first day of the month in which the approved applicant is released or discharged.