The province has announced a 4.25 per cent increase in benefits to Albertans who utilized the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support and the Alberta Seniors Benefit. The province has said that the increase will help to keep pace with inflation. 

The province provided examples of the rate change in benefits. Someone who receives $1,787 from AISH will see an increase of $76 come 2024, to $1,863. Other increases include the following: 

  • Those who have Income Support for those who are expected to work will now receive $824 up from $790, an increase of $34
  • Those who received Income Support for those with barriers to full employment will now receive $959, up from $919, an increase of $40
  • Those who receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit will now receive $316 up from $303, an increase of $13

Albertans receiving AISH and Income Support benefits will see this increase in their January payments, which will be distributed on December 21. Recipients of the Alberta Seniors Benefit will see this increase on their January cheques. 

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services said that the indexing of benefits is a critical measure to help vulnerable Albertans.

"Thousands of people access our financial assistance programs, which is why it is so important to ensure benefits can help cover the increasing costs of food, housing and other essential goods and services.”

More than 75,000 people receive AISH each month, while another 48,000 receive Income Support each month. There are approximately 44,000 children who are dependents of AISH and Income Support recipients and about 187,000 seniors receive Alberta Seniors Benefits.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. You can scan the QR code to download it.

qr