Delay of AISH sends recipients into financial spiral
Posted Mar 3, 2020 7:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Recipients of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) say changes to their payment dates are causing a budgeting nightmare.
As of Sunday, the Alberta government changed when those receiving AISH would get their support.
This has caused many to be left struggling to buy food and to pay their bills.
RELATED: Alberta releases list of parks to be closed or partially closed, conservation specialist reacts
Casey McCarthy says she has been on AISH since she was 18 and has never seen this before.
“Growing up, I learned how to budget and use coupons, things like that, but the way this is happening, with the cutbacks, this is really bad,” said McCarthy.
“I was in tears on the way here thinking, ‘how am I going to survive?'”
RELATED: Finance Minister defends budget during visit to Calgary
Even before the date-change, McCarthy says she was living in a micro-apartment to make ends meet, and the delay has had a major effect on her living needs.
“My fridge is bare. (There are) a few things, like milk and eggs, basic needs but, we shouldn’t have to justify basic health needs.”
She says she’s had to prioritize certain needs above others, using money budgeted for food to buy a bus pass.
RELATED: Over 200 jobs to be eliminated at SAIT
“I’m been having some serious issues with that, some serious health issues. Some people have kids. Buying the formula, buying the bags of food, it’s not cheap.”
“Having to try and budget and justify your needs is pretty bad.”
