AISH Benefits Administration Program

Questions and answers

  1. What is the AISH Benefits Administration Program?
  2. Why would I want to be a part of the AISH Benefits Administration Plan?
  3. Can everyone who receives AISH participate in the AISH Benefits Administration Program?
  4. This is a voluntary program. What does that mean?
  5. What will the Office of the Public Trustee take care of for me?
  6. What is a Trust Agreement?
  7. What is a Primary Contact and what is an Alternate Primary Contact?
  8. What is a "Program Contact"?
  9. What is an instruction (Budget) sheet?
  10. Can I get money by going to the Office of the Public Trustee or by telephoning them?
  11. If I have questions about the Trust Agreement whom should I contact?
  12. Where do I get a Trust Agreement Form?
  13. Who is responsible for filling out the Income Tax return for someone who is enrolled in the AISH Benefits Administration Program?

  1. What is the AISH Benefits Administration Program?

    ANSWER:
    This is a program to help you take care of the money you get from AISH. Your participation in this program is voluntary. If you decide to participate in the program, your AISH cheque will be sent directly to the Office of the Public Trustee. You make the decisions about how your money will be spent. You will get help setting up a budgeting plan from someone you know (called your Primary Contact Person) and the Office of the Public Trustee will follow your plan. If, at any time, you want to change your budgeting plan, you and your Primary Contact Person will make a new instruction (budget) sheet and send it to the Office of the Public Trustee. They will then follow your new plan.
  2. Why would I want to be a part of the AISH administration Plan?

    ANSWER:

  3. Can everyone who receives AISH participate in the AISH Benefits Administration Program?

    ANSWER:
    Please contact your AISH Financial Benefits Worker for information on who is eligible for this Program.

  4. This is a voluntary program. What does that mean?

    ANSWER:
    This means that you agree to have your Primary Contact Person help you set up a budget and you agree to have the Office of the Public Trustee take care of your AISH money. Voluntary means that if you are not happy with the program, you have the right to quit the program, and your AISH benefits will again come directly to you and any money you have saved will be returned to you.

  5. What will the Office of the Public Trustee take care of for me?

    ANSWER:
    This program only helps you take care of your AISH money. If you also receive money from somewhere else, like a job, another benefit program such as C.P.P., or a gift, the Office of the Public Trustee will not take care of this money. However, you and your Primary Contact Person may want to work together to plan how to use this other money.

    The Office of the Public Trustee also will receive your medical card from AISH. They will send the card to you. The Office of the Public Trustee receives your Medical Services card with your AISH benefits as they are mailed together from the AISH office.

  6. What is a Trust Agreement?

    ANSWER:
    The Trust Agreement makes sure that everyone knows what they are to do and that you can control your money the way you want. When you sign the Trust Agreement, you become part of the AISH Administration Program. The Trust Agreement is a legal document. It explains the roles and responsibilities for you, your Primary Contact Persons and the Public Trustee, in taking care of your AISH money. The Trust Agreement begins after everyone has signed it.

    Regional trust Agreements;

    1. Northwest Trust Agreement
    2. Northeast Trust Agreement
    3. Edmonton Trust Agreement  
    4. Central Trust Agreement  
    5. Calgary Trust Agreement

  7. What is a Primary Contact and what is an Alternate Primary Contact?

    ANSWER:
    The Trust Agreement uses the words "Primary Contact" and "Alternate Primary Contact". Your Primary Contact Person is_____________. He/she will help you set up your budget plan and help to make sure the AISH program has all the information it needs. The Alternate Primary Contact Person is _________________ and he/she will help you when your Primary Contact Person asks them to. You and your Primary Contact must sign the instruction (Budget) sheet that goes to the Office of the Public Trustee.

  8. What is a "Program Contact"?

    ANSWER:
    The Trust Agreement uses the words "Program Contact". Your Program Contact is _________________. This is the representative for the AISH Benefits Administration Program.

  9. What is an instruction (Budget) sheet?

    ANSWER:
    Your instruction (Budget) sheet tells the Office of the Public Trustee how you want to spend your AISH money. The instruction (Budget) sheet can include things like:

    Remember, you can't spend more money than you receive from the AISH program, but if you have money left and want to buy something special in the future, you can make a note in your instruction (Budget) sheet to save the money.

  10. Can I get money by going to the Office of the Public Trustee or by telephoning them?

    ANSWER:
    You must fill out a new instruction (Budget) sheet and send it to the Office of the Public Trustee. Both you and your Primary Contact Person must sign the instruction (Budget) sheet before you send it.

    Every time you make a change to the way you want your AISH money to be used, you must fill out a new instruction (Budget) sheet.

    You cannot get money from the Public Trustee by going to their office without having the Instruction (Budget) sheet signed.

  11. If I have questions about the Trust Agreement whom should I contact?

    ANSWER:
    If you have questions about the Trust Agreement, the first thing you should do is to talk to your Primary Contact Person. If you are still unhappy with the situation, you can contact your Program Contact Person, ______________ at __________. They may be able to answer your questions.

  12. Where do I get a Trust Agreement Form?

    ANSWER:
    You can obtain a Trust Agreement by selecting either of  following regional forms;

    1. Northwest Trust Agreement
    2. Northeast Trust Agreement
    3. Edmonton Trust Agreement  
    4. Central Trust Agreement  
    5. Calgary Trust Agreement

  13. Who is responsible for filling out the Income Tax return for someone who is enrolled in the AISH Benefits Administration Program?

    ANSWER:
    If you are enrolled in the AISH Benefits Administration Program, you are still responsible for filing an annual tax return. Please contact your AISH Financial Benefits Worker or your Primary Contact Person if you have questions or need help.