How Soleful Harmony Helps Alberta Clients Thrive
Navigating the world of social benefits and healthcare can be overwhelming, but for Albertans living with permanent medical conditions, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program is a vital support system. This blog post will explain how to get approved, and most importantly, show you how to access the essential foot care benefits you’re entitled to.
As a dedicated mobile foot care business, Soleful Harmony is proud to serve AISH clients directly in the comfort of their own homes, hospitals, group homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities. We understand the unique challenges you face and are committed to making your healthcare journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
What is AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped)?
AISH is a provincial program in Alberta that provides financial and health benefits to eligible adults with a permanent medical condition that substantially limits their ability to earn a living. The program is designed to offer long-term support, ensuring that clients can cover their living expenses and access necessary medical services.
AISH benefits include:
- Financial Living Allowance: A monthly payment to help with costs like rent, utilities, and food.
- Health Benefits: Coverage for a wide range of medical services, including prescription drugs, dental care, and—crucially for foot health—foot care.
- Personal Benefits: Additional funds to help with specific, one-time, or ongoing expenses.
AISH Eligibility and How to Get Approved
To be eligible for AISH, you must meet age, residency, medical, and financial criteria. The application is a two-part process. You, the applicant, must complete the financial and personal information sections, and a qualified health professional (like a doctor) must complete the medical report.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria:
Age and Residency Criteria:
- You must be at least 18 years old and not eligible for an Old Age Security pension.
- You must live in Alberta and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You cannot be living in a correctional facility or certain mental health facilities.
Medical Criteria:
- You must have a medical condition that is diagnosed by a doctor and is likely to remain permanent.
- Your medical condition must be the main factor limiting your ability to earn a living, not other factors such as your education level.
- AISH will review available medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, and training that may help you improve your ability to earn a living.
Financial Criteria:
AISH looks at the income and assets you and your spouse or partner have. While AISH clients are encouraged to work to the extent they are able, your total financial resources must not exceed the program’s limits.
Income: AISH assesses income reported on your tax forms. Some types of income are exempt (not counted), such as cash gifts, income tax refunds, or Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) payments. Other incomes, like employment or self-employment income, may be partially or fully counted and can affect your monthly AISH living allowance.
Assets: Assets are items of value you own, like cash, investments, property, and vehicles. Many assets are exempt and not counted, including your primary home, a vehicle, clothing, and reasonable household items. However, non-exempt assets like cash, chequing/savings accounts, TFSAs, RRSPs, or a recreational property, when added together, cannot be worth more than $100,000.
How to Qualify for Foot Care with AISH
Once you are an approved AISH client, accessing benefits for services like foot care is a straightforward process. As an AISH client, your benefits often require approval from your AISH caseworker, especially for services outside of standard prescriptions.
Here’s the simple process for getting your foot care covered with Soleful Harmony:
- Get a Doctor’s Prescription: Visit your family doctor and explain that you require professional foot care due to your medical condition, mobility issues, or a related health concern like diabetes. Your doctor will provide a prescription or a signed letter detailing the medical necessity of the foot care.
- Contact Your AISH Worker: You or a family member can submit the prescription to your AISH caseworker. Your caseworker will review the request and provide approval.
- Book Your Mobile Appointment: Once approved, simply contact Soleful Harmony to book your in-home foot care appointment. Our dedicated foot care nurses are fully licensed and understand the AISH billing process.
- No Out-of-Pocket Expense: You do not need to worry about payment. Our foot care nurse will submit the invoice directly to the appropriate department at AISH for payment. There is no out-of-pocket expense to you, the client.
Why Soleful Harmony is the Right Choice for AISH Clients
Soleful Harmony specializes in mobile nursing foot care, bringing professional services directly to your doorstep. For AISH clients, this service provides key advantages:
- Accessibility: Our service is perfect for clients with mobility issues, chronic pain, or those who find it difficult to travel to a clinic. You receive quality care without the stress and physical exertion of leaving your home.
- Comfort and Privacy: Your home is a familiar and comfortable environment, allowing for a more relaxed and private care experience.
- Specialized Care: We are experienced in caring for conditions common among AISH clients, such as diabetic feet, arthritis, and other mobility-related issues. We ensure your feet get the expert attention they need to stay healthy and pain-free.
- Direct Billing: We handle the administrative work, billing AISH directly so you can focus on your well-being, not on paperwork.
Soleful Harmony is here to help you live a more comfortable and pain-free life. We believe everyone deserves quality foot care, and we are committed to making it accessible to those who need it most.
About Soleful Harmony
Soleful Harmony provides professional mobile foot care services throughout Calgary and surrounding areas. As a licensed practical nurse with specialized foot care training, Jamilla follows the latest Canadian clinical practice guidelines to ensure safe, effective care for all clients.
Book your appointment today: 403-966-4415