Inflation relief will be provided to 25,000 additional Albertans living with disabilities.
Affordability payments will now be sent to Albertans enrolled in the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) benefit, who are not already receiving them through other eligible core support programs.
Their payments will start being delivered in late April and May.
“Throughout Alberta’s disability community, I have heard the need for more access to supports, and that is what we are doing. Our government is committed to helping Albertans, especially those living on fixed incomes,” said Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
Nearly 1.2 million Albertans have enrolled and been receiving up to $600 in affordability relief payments. This includes Albertans receiving monthly benefits through AISH, Income Support, Alberta Seniors Benefit, or services through Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
In coming weeks, eligible CPPD recipients will receive payments automatically with one-time cheques of up to $600 mailed directly to them. No application is necessary.
The cheques will cover months between January and June 2023, providing payments for the duration of the affordability payment program.
“As an Albertan living with a disability, and as a recipient of CPP-Disability supports, it is nice to see the provincial government listening to our advocacy and adapting this program for those that need it,” said Zinovia McQuitty, CPPD recipient in a release.
Quick facts on inflation relief for Albertans with disabilities
- CPPD beneficiaries are under 65, mainly low income, and experience severe and prolonged disability.
- There are an estimated 41,000 CPPD recipients in Alberta. Approximately 25,000 were not previously eligible for the affordability payment program under other criteria.
- To be eligible for a lump sum affordability payment, CPPD recipients must have a total adjusted household income in 2021 of less than $180,000.
- Alberta’s government will use data from the Canadian Revenue Agency to identify and enrol eligible CPPD recipients for payments.
- To find out if they are eligible, CPPD recipients can contact the Alberta affordability program contact centre at 1-844-644-9955
- Alberta’s Affordability Action Plan includes monthly affordability payments of up to $600 over six months to families with children under 18, seniors and Albertans on AISH, Income Support and PDD.
- As of March 31, 1,198,956 Albertans are receiving payments, either through automatic enrolment or successfully applying online.
- Total number of Albertans enrolled automatically (AISH, IS, PDD, ASB): 295,278
- Total dollars delivered to Albertans as of March 31: $348,490,550
- Eligible Albertans have until June 30 to apply and will receive retroactive payments for the months they were eligible.
- Eligible Albertans can apply through an online portal or at any registry agent or Alberta Supports office.
- As of March 31, 1,198,956 Albertans are receiving payments, either through automatic enrolment or successfully applying online.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.