This week’s auditor general’s report found that AISH – Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped – is a mess. It’s inefficient and the system seems to work against the very people who need it.
More than 50,000 Albertans are served by the program, which provides nearly $1 billion annually. The program provides a living allowance for people who are severely handicapped and unable to work. The operating cost of doling out that $1 billion is $33 million. Albertans are not getting value for that money.
Auditor General Merwan Saher’s report found that the application process was onerous and hard to access, with no consistency about who was or wasn’t approved. A total of 42 per cent of those rejected eventually gained benefits on appeal.
“Applications are available, but the process tends to lend itself more to those individuals who are more competent in filling out forms,” Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken said. “So there is some concern there that there needs to be possibly a little bit more fine tuning within the processes to assure that the people that are in need are able to access the program.”
Many of the inadequacies had to do with staff that was not properly trained to make decisions or provide an efficient delivery of services.
Those who apply have to wait an average of 203 days to receive benefits. That waiting period is unacceptable, especially for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
“The people that really do need this kind of assistance – and you see that 200 days is the norm –you break that down to somebody who is unable to work with really no source of income and that can really break someone, that kind of waiting time,” St. Albert MLA Marie Renaud said to the Gazette.
With 330 employees and $33 million we need to demand better. Consistency, efficiency and access need to be improved. One of the most glaring problems is that the program was severely lacking in its processes for measuring performance and efficiency. Without measuring and monitoring, how can we know that it’s properly serving Albertans?
Finance minister Joe Ceci has issued a statement saying the government will implement Saher’s recommendations:
“Our departments continue to work to ensure the successful implementation of the Auditor General’s outstanding recommendations.”
But part of the problem with AISH has been the lack of ministerial oversight. The program falls under the department of Human Services, where it is the second largest program in that ministry. Irfan Sabir has been minister in that department since May 2015 and though he has stated he plans to implement the recommendations, these glaring issues should’ve been addressed sooner.
The government needs to make sure that every penny is being spent efficiently. When it comes to AISH, it’s clear that hasn’t been the case. Past governments must shoulder some of the blame, but the current government is still guilty of 18 months of continuing poor past practices.
The auditor general’s recommendations must be implemented. AISH needs an improved application process, standards for processing, clear guidelines for eligibility and improved performance monitoring.
AISH is an important program for many Albertans, but it needs to be better. We need a system that works for the people who need it, not against them. Revamping AISH needs to be a priority for this government and it needs to happen now.
