Roughly 76,000 Albertans are on the assured income for the severely handicapped benefit, known as AISH.
AISH provides monthly income to those with a permanent disability who are prevented from earning a living.
Payments will be made to beneficiaries four business days before the end of a given month.
Minister for Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon told CHAT News that Alberta’s government heard from those who rely on AISH and income support that they wanted their benefits issued earlier.
The statement continued by saying that they changed payment dates to ensure that clients have enough time to pay their bills and prevent unnecessary late charges.
Clients will be notified on their next paycheques to give time to update automatic payments.
AISH recipients like Mike Krakalovich says that the previous 2020 change was unpopular and proved to be challenging.
“When they moved it to the first of the month, that was problematic,” Krakalovich said.
“Computer glitches happen, payments doesn’t go out exactly when they’re supposed to.” he said.
“I actually needed to inform my landlord and ask if they could delay cashing my cheque by a couple days.”
In the minister’s statement, it was stated that payments were increased by 4.5 per cent to help combat inflation, a move that Krakalovich says helps, but is still insufficient.
