I don't think the Government of Alberta even bothered to read this letter, since they just copied and pasted the regulations for what people are permitted to have as income without deductions. The point is that the government should not be limiting your income, period. They should support people who have medical reasons and let people work and save without deductions if they can.

August 27, 2013

Legislature Office

208 Legislature Building

10800 97 Avenue

Edmonton, AB, T5K 2B6

 

Dear Fred Horne:

I'm writing to you regarding your policy for receiving AISH support.

Currently, disallowing people receiving AISH to earn an income without deductions to AISH monthly payments is unfair.

First, people who receive AISH often have costs that others do not have and which they themselves cannot afford. Some medicines, for instance, are not covered (even in their generic form) by AISH insurance and are expensive. For someone receiving only 1588 dollars per month, obtaining these is impossible when that money is instead used for living costs. Similarly, for people trying to save as much as possible, perhaps the full amount of AISH month payments, the cost is a serious impediment. Allowing people to work while receiving AISH without discounting any amount in AISH monthly payments would allow people to use AISH payments to supplement these costs. It would enhance, rather than impede, their ability to live well.

Second, I would hope that the government of Alberta is committed in a substantial way to providing support for all people who face challenges due to their own medical reasons. However, discounting income earned through employment from monthly AISH payments shows that the government only supports the very poor and at best supplements only minimally the income of those who are able to work. It would be a great leap forward if an equal minimum income were provided for all people who have their own medical reasons regardless of their economic class. It would show a tremendous commitment to furthering an equal opportunity for all people to live and work with dignity. For instance, a minimum of 1500 dollars could be made available to everyone who earns between 0 and 100,000 dollars per year individually.

Life is already difficult for many who have their own medical reasons, and it would be prudent for the sake of equality and fairness not to further impede opportunities for people through current AISH policy and legislation.

I hope this is helpful to you. Thank you for your time.

Yours,

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