Alberta + federal benefits
Program guides
Browse plain-language guides to every benefit in the AbilityFinder catalog.
Answer a few questions to see every benefit you may qualify for
Federal
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC) — The master key. A tax credit that lowers the income tax you (or a family member) pay — and it unlocks most other disability benefits below.
- Canada Disability Benefit — A monthly payment for working-age adults with a disability and lower income.
- Child Disability Benefit — A tax-free monthly amount added to the Canada Child Benefit for a child approved for the DTC.
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) — A savings account where the government adds matching grants (up to 300%) and bonds — you don't even need to contribute to get the bond if your income is low.
- Canada Workers Benefit — Disability Supplement — If you work and earn a lower income, this adds an extra disability top-up to your tax refund.
- CPP Disability Benefit — A monthly payment if a severe, long-term disability stops you from working and you've paid into CPP.
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities — Extra grant money for post-secondary students with a documented disability.
- Canada Student Grant — Services & Equipment — Covers assistive technology, note-taking, tutoring, coaching and other supports for students with disabilities.
Provincial
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) — Alberta disability income assistance for people whose permanent disability prevents employment.
- Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) — Alberta disability income assistance when a severe disability significantly impedes employment, including episodically.
- Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) — Helps pay for equipment and supplies you need for a long-term illness, disability or condition — wheelchairs, hearing aids, breathing supplies and much more.
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) — Support services for adults with a developmental disability — help with daily living, community involvement, and employment.
- Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) — Support and funding for Alberta families raising a child under 18 with a disability — respite, aids, counselling, and reimbursement of some costs.
- Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) — Pays for supports that help you get or keep a job, or finish training — assistive devices, tutoring, coaching, workplace tools.
- Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities — Alberta top-up grant for post-secondary students with a disability.
- Alberta Adult Health Benefit — Health coverage for adults in lower-income households — prescriptions, dental, eye care, essential diabetic supplies.
- Alberta Child Health Benefit — Health coverage for children in lower-income families — including prescriptions, dental and eye care.
- Disability Parking Placard — A placard that lets you use accessible parking spaces.
Municipal
- Calgary Fair Entry — Transit & Recreation — One application unlocks a low-income monthly transit pass and 75% off City of Calgary pools, fitness and rec programs.
- Edmonton Ride Transit & Leisure Access — A subsidized monthly Arc transit card plus reduced-cost access to City of Edmonton recreation facilities.
- Red Deer Transit & Recreation Fee Assistance — A reduced monthly transit pass plus help with City recreation fees. Being on AISH qualifies you automatically.
- Lethbridge Fee Assistance Program — One application covers transit, Access-A-Ride paratransit, and recreation fees. AISH counts as proof of income.
- Medicine Hat Fair Entry — One application, valid up to two years, for cheaper transit passes plus recreation and Esplanade arts programs.
- Grande Prairie AISH Transit Pass & Recreation Access — If you're on AISH, a monthly Grande Prairie transit pass costs $10.25 instead of $74.25 — the deepest municipal transit discount in the province that we've found.
- St. Albert Transit & Recreation Subsidy — On AISH or ADAP in St. Albert, local buses and the Handibus are free, and a year's membership at every City rec facility is free too.
- Strathcona County Everybody Rides & Everybody Gets to Play — Reduced transit fares on your Arc card and a no-cost annual Active Pass+ for County recreation facilities, for residents on a limited income.
- Airdrie Fair Access — One income-tested application covering Airdrie transit passes and Genesis Place recreation, at 25%, 50% or 75% off depending on income.
- Wood Buffalo LIFT (Low-Income Fare Transit) — A $10 monthly transit pass, 75% off specialized SMART Bus passes, and a separate 60% discount on regional recreation memberships.
- Spruce Grove Low Income Transit Pass — A reduced local or commuter transit pass for qualifying Spruce Grove-area residents.
- Leduc Transit & Recreation Subsidies — Financial-navigation support that can reduce local, commuter and LATS transit costs and provide recreation access.
- Cochrane Connect Card — A City card for residents facing financial or situational barriers, with local transit and recreation discounts.
- Okotoks Recreation Fee Assistance — A recreation-fee subsidy for qualifying low-income Okotoks and Foothills County residents.
- Canmore Affordable Services Program — A Town program that provides qualifying residents with lower-cost local services, including transit and recreation.
- Lloydminster Recreation Access Program — Income-based recreation access for qualifying Lloydminster residents.
- Fort Saskatchewan Access for Everyone — Recreation and transit support for eligible Fort Saskatchewan residents with limited income or approved income support.