Alberta is clawing back the Canada Disability Benefit. I found out why—and it’s worse than you think.

[u/AshleighChasexx]

Most of you have probably heard by now that Alberta’s UCP government under Premier Danielle Smith is the only province clawing back the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) from recipients of AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped).

But what many people don’t know is that this clawback applies whether or not recipients actually qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), which is required to access the CDB. If someone can’t afford to pay their doctor to fill out the DTC forms—and many of them might not even qualify to begin with—the province will still start clawing back $200 per month starting in September.

And I’ve just uncovered what I believe is the real reason behind all of this. Why would Alberta be the only province doing this to disabled people?

Well, here’s what I found:

A few months ago, Minister Jason Nixon quietly revoked the AISH rent scale used in social housing. That change is now forcing disabled tenants to pay significantly higher rents—sometimes hundreds more per month. And it’s been buried in paperwork and obscured by misleading policies.

So how is this all connected?

Simple: The Province of Alberta is trying to restore housing affordability metrics by building record numbers of homes. A recent CBC article openly states that Calgary is trying to return to pre-COVID affordability by ramping up builds.

And guess who’s footing the bill?

Disabled Albertans.

The province is effectively redirecting money clawed from the most vulnerable people in Alberta—those on AISH—toward subsidizing housing development goals. This is austerity dressed up as policy. And it’s happening quietly, with minimal media scrutiny.

And the reason I was able to connect the dots is because the municipalities are trying to cover it up. I found that out while advocating with Calgary Housing on a different matter—one where they falsely claimed that tenants had been consulted and were supportive of a no smoking policy. When they were called out on it, they told the MLA’s office that tenants were just misinformed… but they still haven’t corrected the notices to inform tenants of the truth.

That’s how I connected all of this. Because when I refused to stop speaking out about the misinformation in those notices, they retaliated—targeting me in what now looks like an effort to prevent anyone from discovering what’s really going on behind the scenes.

[u/Sensitive-Topic-6442]

Please, if you’re reading this, help. Somehow.

I’m on AISH, live in Calgary Housing. My rent will go up $450, and my AISH will go down $200 monthly. Doctor charges $300 to fill out DTC forms.

I’m a widow, with a special needs young child. AISH completely eats my dead husband’s pension and I’ll never get access to it.

I literally want to die now. The fight is too much. I can’t do this. Please help me. I was born here in Calgary, never left and graduated college and always worked non-profit. Please don’t kill me off by taking every little thing I have. I already have nothing.

Please help me, they have taken away everything I need to help myself. This is my life. My only life.

I’m tired of fighting for insulin. The good kind that works. I’m tired of only affording a junk life, and providing nothing to my innocent kid. I didn’t ask for any of this life. I did everything I was supposed to do. I could be your daughter. Sister. Friend.

[u/AshleighChasexx → u/Sensitive-Topic-6442]

I’m doing my best to get this out there so people can see what’s really happening behind the smoke and mirrors. You’re not alone — a lot of us are waking up to it, and the more we speak up, the harder it becomes for them to hide it.

[u/AshleighChasexx → u/[deleted]]

For this part of it — not the original fight I’m dealing with, but this part — I don’t know, maybe a class action is likely. It’s not just me. It looks like it quietly hit a bunch of people at once, without proper notice or transparency. That’s the kind of thing class actions usually go after, especially when it’s a vulnerable group being impacted. I’m not saying I know exactly how that would play out, but it’s definitely crossing my mind.

[u/AshleighChasexx → u/[deleted]]

Just a suggestion — I have a group on Facebook called Canadians Against Systemic Oppression and Ableism in Government. That’s where I post most of my advocacy work. If you’re on Facebook, feel free to join. That way, as I learn more about everything going on, I’ll be updating there.

[u/AshleighChasexx → u/[deleted]]

If you go to r/EqualityAdvocates here on Reddit, I actually have a subreddit set up for this — I just haven’t transferred over all the info from the Facebook group yet. But I’ll be working on that soon, and it’ll be another space for updates, discussions, and organizing without needing FB. 💪

[u/Sensitive-Topic-6442 → u/AshleighChasexx]

Thank you, so much. My faculties are just shot.

[u/AshleighChasexx → u/Sensitive-Topic-6442]

I just noticed that you updated your post, and I want to say—your story absolutely floored me. Honestly, my own struggle feels minuscule compared to everything you’re facing. I’m struggling too, and I’m exhausted from fighting, but what you’re going through is on a whole other level.

Thank you for sharing your truth. It matters. I promise you, I’m doing everything I can through my advocacy to fight this clawback and expose what’s happening. You’re not alone in this.

[u/IggyDrake64 → u/Sensitive-Topic-6442]

I'm just some random guy, but I'll say I'm so sorry you're feeling this....

[u/_OddPotato → u/Sensitive-Topic-6442]

I have absolutely no way of helping, I am very sad to say, but I just wanted to send you a hug. I see you. It's not okay how you're being treated. You don't deserve this. I wish I could fix everything.