AISH help with utilities in Alberta: what AISH and Income Support cover

The policy manuals say AISH’s monthly living allowance includes utilities. Income Support’s Core Shelter includes utilities, except electricity in social housing. For an unpaid bill or a connection, emergency or extra help may apply, with limits. Ask your worker and call your power or gas company too.

AISH uses the monthly allowance for utilities

The policy manual says AISH’s monthly living allowance includes utilities. It also covers food and rent. The manual lists one maximum amount, not a separate utility amount. Other income may reduce what you get. Ask your worker about extra help for an unpaid bill.

AISH means Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. ADAP means Alberta Disability Assistance Program. Its living allowance also includes utilities, says the policy manual.

The Disability Income Assistance Policy Manual says the monthly living allowance is used for living costs such as food, rent and utilities. (from 30 October 2026) [source]

The AISH maximum is C$1,940 per month (from 1 January 2026) [source].

The ADAP maximum is C$1,740 per month (from 2 July 2026) [source].

The Disability Income Assistance Policy Manual says the living allowance may be reduced by non-exempt income received by a client or their partner. (from 30 October 2026) [source]

AISH and ADAP emergency help for unpaid bills

AISH and ADAP emergency help may pay utility arrears, says the Government of Alberta policy manual. Arrears are unpaid bills. Help is for costs needed to keep or get service. Your worker must assess the emergency and the limits before any extra payment can be made.

The Disability Income Assistance Policy Manual says emergency help may cover the actual utility arrears needed to get service or prevent disconnection, once in a three-year period. Further benefits for the same utility within that period may be granted and are subject to repayment. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Disability Income Assistance Policy Manual says emergency help may apply when your health or safety, or your dependent child’s, is immediately at risk. The worker decides what proof is needed. A utility disconnection notice in your name is one example. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Bring your latest bill and any shut-off notice. Tell your worker how losing service puts you or your child at risk.

Alberta.ca says AISH personal benefits may cover specific needs above the living allowance. You must show need and have no other program or source that can meet it. You must have no more than $5,000 in non-exempt assets or be in financial hardship. Each benefit has further rules. (from 30 October 2026) [source]

Income Support includes utilities in shelter costs

The policy manual says Income Support’s Core Shelter includes utilities, except electricity in social housing. Extra help may apply to water, power and heat connections. You can ask your worker about a deposit, reconnection or unpaid bills. Some payments have to be repaid.

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says Core Shelter includes utilities, except electricity in social housing. In an approved home or group home, Core Shelter covers rent, heating fuel, utilities and food. (from 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says an allowance may help obtain water, power and heat service. This covers connection, deposit and reconnection needs. Ongoing utility charges are part of Core Shelter. The benefit is not intended to cover telephone connection, reconnection, deposit or arrears. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says the first deposit for each utility is not recovered. Later deposits are subject to repayment. All utility reconnections are subject to repayment. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual lists a utility bill or disconnection notice as proof. The worker may ask for more documents. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says emergency help may cover the actual utility arrears needed to get service or prevent disconnection. The first arrears payment for each utility is not recovered. Later arrears payments for each utility are subject to repayment. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says emergency help may apply to a serious health or safety risk beyond the household’s control. The person cannot wait for the next payment, use other resources or make other arrangements. For unpaid utilities, bring a utility bill or disconnection notice. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The Income and Employment Supports Policy Manual says the worker should first ensure options to move from a competitive retailer to a regulated retailer have been explored. The worker may ask you to contact the default retailer first. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Ask your worker for help

Ask your AISH or Income Support worker about utility help under the policy manuals. Have your latest bill and any shut-off notice ready. Say what is due and when service may stop. If you help a relative, ask what consent the worker needs to speak with you.

1. Have your latest bill and any disconnection notice ready.
2. Call your worker or your program’s contact on weekdays. Alberta.ca says to contact your local AISH or ADAP office on weekdays, 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, for emergency help. (read 30 October 2026) [source] For AISH and ADAP, Alberta.ca lists the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, except statutory holidays. (read 30 October 2026) [source] For Income Support, Alberta.ca lists the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm, except statutory holidays. (read 30 October 2026) [source]
3. For an emergency outside office hours, call the contact centre. Alberta.ca lists the 24-hour Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135 for evenings, weekends and holidays. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Alberta.ca says the Income Support Contact Centre may assess food, transportation, temporary shelter, medication and medical supplies outside regular business hours. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Alberta.ca says people receiving Income Support or AISH should call their designated centre. All other emergency benefits must be accessed through that centre. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Utilities are not on that after-hours list. Raise utility arrears with your worker on the next business day. Call your power or gas company now about keeping service on.
4. Ask for the decision and the reason in writing. If you disagree, Alberta.ca has pages for appealing an AISH decision and appealing an Income Support decision.

Ask your power or gas company for time to pay

Call your power or gas company now if a bill may go unpaid, says the Utilities Consumer Advocate. Ask for a payment arrangement before the due date. Say if you have a shut-off notice. Keep the notice dates and ask the company for its reply in writing.

Read about other help with utility bills and the winter disconnection rules. A call to your worker does not replace a call to the company.

The UCA helps with utility company disputes

The Utilities Consumer Advocate may help with a utility company dispute after you have tried the company first. The UCA calls this mediation. Keep your bills, notices and the company’s replies. Your worker handles AISH or Income Support decisions. The UCA does not decide your benefit case.

When you have already tried to settle a problem with your utility company, the Utilities Consumer Advocate can investigate and try to resolve it through mediation. (read 5 October 2026) [source]

310-4822 in Alberta or 1-888-644-6608 from outside Alberta, Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; email ucahelps@gov.ab.ca. (read 5 October 2026) [source]

The Utilities Consumer Advocate says to call 211 for help finding resources through 211 Alberta. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

This is general information. Your worker decides your case.

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