Full Breakdown
Alberta Mother Challenges AISH Denial for Severely Disabled Son
By Drooid · · How we work
Benefit Denial and Reversal
Kristi Hall-Busque, whose 18-year-old son Ben lives in a wheelchair, cannot speak, and requires 24-hour care, was told by Alberta’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program that Ben was “employable” and therefore ineligible for benefits. Hall-Busque described the assessment as “dumbfounded,” noting that Ben is dependent in every aspect of daily life. After Hall-Busque spoke with the media, the province reversed its decision later that morning, restoring Ben’s eligibility for AISH support.
Program Background and Recent Transition
AISH provides basic financial assistance to Albertans with permanent medical conditions and developmental disabilities that prevent them from working. Earlier this year, the provincial government began transitioning many recipients from AISH to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), a scheme intended to allow beneficiaries to earn higher employment income while still receiving support.
Family’s Criticism
Hall-Busque criticized the initial assessment, emphasizing that Ben’s condition—full dependence on caregivers and constant medical needs—makes any notion of employment unrealistic. She argued that the program’s criteria were applied without proper consideration of Ben’s severe limitations, and that media attention was the only factor prompting the reversal.
Verbatim Quote
- “He is dependent in every single area for the quality of his life,” — Kristi Hall-Busque “He is dependent in every single area for the quality of his life,” — Kristi Hall-Busque
The case highlights concerns from families about the adequacy of disability assessments during the AISH-to-ADAP transition and raises questions about how provincial agencies determine eligibility for those with the most profound needs.