Thread by @Hell_Berta

**Important News**

@RajanJSaw @RachelNotley @jkenney @SPhillipsAB @MarieFrRenaud @JanisIrwin @albertaNDP @abndpcaucus @Alberta_UCP @AlbertaLiberals @GreenPartyAB

Last week I went to yet another funeral.

I sat and listened on the phone for hours with a mother who lost her child to suicide. You see this child didn’t want to be a burden to his family. This child didn’t want to make his family go bankrupt over medication and support this child needed.

This child once they turned 18 did the right thing & tried to go to school, get a good job and tried to contribute to society. This child was diagnosed with diabetes and schizophrenia and also was Autistic...and was told by a doctor that they would be never be able to hold a job.

This child was told to fill out a PDD application due to the fact that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was on the Autism Spectrum. He was Denied. Denied due to not enough medical documentation. It was then suggested he apply for the AISH program.

So this child and his family went and applied to the AISH program. They spent months arranging for medical appointments, getting copies of documents as well as getting copies of the relevant diagnosis’s.

They had the documents gathered and everything they could have done they did. They even went to the local AISH office and had an intake worker look over everything. The intake worker told them that everything was looking awesome.

They submitted the application and began the waiting process. At this point the child had been without any financial help (aside from his family) for a little over 2years. He spent his 21st birthday on a 72 hour hold at the hospital due to the fact that he was feeling hopeless.

So one month rolls by and no response back from the AISH office. Three months roll by and still no news. Six months roll by and they finally get a letter that stated their application had been received and that was it. Six months of waiting and that was the response they got!!

Another three months they had to wait for a response from the AISH office. They got a response....they definitely did. Here is what the response said:

“Dear Mr. B, we have reviewed your Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) application. You are not eligible for the AISH program. We know you may have questions about this decision and this letter gives reasons for the decision below. Including you’re right to appeal.

REASONS FOR THIS DECISION (Yes in the letter it was in caps). You did not qualify for the AISH program because you did not meet the medical eligibility criteria. To be medically eligible for AISH benefits you must have a severe handicap.

Oh wait this denial letter gets better The letter goes on to say:
THE REASONS YOU HAVE BEEN DENIED AISH BENEFITS:

1.) The info in your application doesn’t show that youre medically eligible for AISH, THE IMPAIRMENT ISNT PERMANENT as it applies to your ability to earn a living.

2.) You have NOT LOOKED FOR, ACCEPTED OR MAINTAINED REASONABLE EMPLOYMENT.

3.) You have NOT ACCESSED SUITABLE TRAINING OR REHABILITATION.

The letter then goes on to state that the medical information supplied identifies that the medical condition results in impairment of mental and or physical functioning. Based on the medical info submitted it is noted that you currently have a substantial limitation.....

.....in the ability to earn a livelihood. The Director finds that the impairment is currently causing a substantial limitation.

The Director cannot confirm that the impairment is permanent as it applies to your ability to earn a living and cannot conform that there is no remedial therapy available that would materially improve your ability to earn a livelihood

If that was not bad enough this next part:

The medical documentation submitted with the AISH program based on the definition of a “severe handicap” as defined in the regulation section 1(1)(d) and as required by section 2.01(1)(b) of the Regulation.

Lastly: this next section came to them bold, in caps and underlined:

EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND REHABILITATIVE MEASURES: In the event that medical eligibility is reconsidered, it would still need to be assessed, as per the Regulation, sections 5(1)(b)(i) and 5(1)(b)(iii)....

...as to whether you have pursued reasonable employment, suitable training and appropriate rehabilitative measures.

The last paragraph of the letter says this:

It is acknowledged that at this time you may experience limitations in the ability to work while pursuing treatment for your medical condition. However once treatment and ongoing management had been established, you may be able to pursue employment reflective of your functioning.

Oh and if you were to add insult to injury the letter also stated: There are community agencies that provide assistance with vocational planning, support & programming that may be of benefit. In the future when your medical condition is stabilized connecting with these supports,

May provide you with additional training or employment options that are reflective of your ongoing limitations, skills, and abilities.

The Director cannot confirm that you have pursued reasonable employment and made use of appropriate training and or rehabilitative measures as outlined in the Regulation, sections 5(1)(b)(i) and 5(1)(b)(iii).

He committed suicide cause he asked for help and was denied. But hey one less strain on Alberta’s resources right @RajanJSaw ?

Yet another death is on you and your office and your government that swore to protect Albertans but one thing you don’t realize is that each number is a human being.....this death is on you! #AISHBenefits #AISH #Ableg #Abpoli #Abgov