Loans that accept AISH (payday loans & alternatives)
Looking for a loan as an AISH recipient in Alberta? Check out these payday loans you could get approved for plus other loans that may fit your needs better.
If you’re a recipient of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and you’re looking for a payday loan, there are some lenders that accept this benefit as your sole source of income to help you qualify. But keep in mind that while AISH payday loans are convenient and easy to access, they should be used as a last resort option because of their sky-high fees and quick repayment terms.
This guide covers payday lenders in Alberta that accept AISH as well as other loans you can get.
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. If you're experiencing financial hardship call Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Maximum borrowing costs will vary by province. Review the maximum borrowing cost for your province before entering into a loan agreement.
Get an AISH payday loan
Payday loans are quick to get, often offering instant approval and funding. They are a very expensive option though, so only consider them as a last resort.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
Finder Score for personal loans
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 110+ personal loans are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
These providers offer small cash advances for social assistance recipients. There are no credit checks. You pay no interest on these cash loans, but you may pay a monthly subscription fee. Another nice perk is that you can apply online, get instant approval and get your money within minutes.
1 - 3 of 3
Finder Score for cash advance apps
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
Some payday lenders in Alberta accept AISH as a valid source of income. The application process is typically straightforward, allowing applicants to apply online, in person or over the phone. You can get approval within minutes and get your money instantly via e-transfer funding.
Payday loans in Alberta are associated with high costs, with lenders allowed to charge $14 for every $100 borrowed. Also, these loans must be repaid within 42 - 62 days, requiring careful financial planning to avoid a cycle of debt.
Alternatives to payday loans include cash advances and installment loans. Payday loans are very expensive, so be sure to consider other options.
Quick facts about AISH payday loans in Alberta
Maximum loan amount: $1,500
Minimum loan term: 42 days
Maximum loan term: 62 days
Maximum interest: $14 for every $100 borrowed
Can I get a payday loan on AISH?
Yes, you can, but you’ll need to find a lender that accepts it as your source of qualifying income. Disability income from the government is one of the least accepted forms of income among payday lenders. You may also only be approved for smaller loan amounts.
Before you apply for a payday loan, check first that the lender accepts AISH and that your AISH income meets the lender’s minimum income requirements.
Can I get AISH loans in Canada with instant e-transfer and no credit check?
Yes, you can get AISH loans in Canada via instant e-transfer without needing to go through a credit check. Examples of lenders that offer this include Bree, KOHO, Nyble and Money Mart.
If you get a cash advance, you can apply online, get approved within minutes and get instant e-transfer funding for an extra fee. If you get a payday loan, the cost for instant funding is already included in the borrowing fee.
Features of AISH payday loans
AISH payday loans are identical to regular payday loans in Alberta. Their only difference is borrowers qualify for a payday loan using AISH as their income instead of employment income. Overall, AISH payday loans come with these key features:
An easy application process. You can apply for a payday loan in different ways – online, in-person or over the phone. Payday lenders have also made the process short and sweet. The whole process can be done in 10 minutes. Some payday lenders even have physical storefronts or automatic approval systems so you can get a payday loan 24/7.
Quick turnaround time. Not only are payday loans easy to apply for, but you can gain access to your funding within minutes after approval.
Government benefits accepted as income. If you’re searching for an AISH payday loan, you’ll narrow your focus on lenders that accept government benefits as income instead of employment income. There are plenty of government benefits, such as a pension, EI and child tax benefit, that may qualify as income, depending on the lender you choose.
Bad credit is OK. Payday loan providers will accept applications from people with poor credit scores because they will prioritize your income and ability to repay your loan on time over your credit.
Use the funds for any purpose. Once you’re approved for a payday loan, you have the freedom to use the money as you’d like from paying bills to covering a financial emergency.
Unsecured. Payday loans are unsecured, so you don’t need to put up any collateral.
What to watch out for with payday loans
Payday loans come with their fair share of notoriety. Every Albertan considering a payday loan must be aware of these red flags:
Incredibly steep interest rates. In Alberta, payday lenders are allowed to charge $14 for every $100 borrowed. That’s an APR of around 122% for a 42-day loan term, making payday loans one of the costliest ways to borrow money.
Short repayment terms. There is no wiggle room with payday loans; in Alberta, they must be repaid in 42 to 62 days. You’ll need to make sure you can allocate your next paycheque from AISH to repay your loan without any issues. Otherwise, you’ll risk falling into a cycle of debt.
Caps on how much you can borrow. Alberta caps payday loans at $1,500, so if you need more cash, this may not be your best option.
Disreputable lenders. The payday lending space is rife with predatory lenders that may not follow provincial laws and regulations. Check to make sure the payday lender you’d like to work with is licensed in Alberta and isn’t a scam. Always choose a reputable company that has positive feedback from real customers.
How do I repay my AISH payday loan?
According to the province’s Consumer Protection Act, you’re required to repay the loan in installments instead of a lump sum. Because AISH is paid out monthly, you can anticipate repaying your loan in at least two installments. On the flipside, you can also repay the full amount early without any penalties.
There are a handful of ways you can repay your loan, including the following:
Direct debit repayments. This is the most common way to make repayments, and it involves setting up an automatic withdrawal from your bank account on your due dates. Before you authorize this, make sure you know what your due dates are so that you have sufficient funds in your account ahead of time.
Post-dated cheque. This option is also offered by some lenders, usually by those who have physical stores. This method involves you giving the lender a cheque that it can cash on the day your repayment is due. Remember to make note of the payment date since you will need to have the cash in your bank account.
What else should I know about payday loan regulations in Alberta?
You can protect yourself as a borrower by getting familiar with your rights when taking out a payday loan in Alberta. Here are some more key rules you should know:
You have up to two days to change your mind and cancel your payday loan. This is called a “cooling off” period. You don’t have to provide a reason for cancelling.
Rollover loans are not allowed. This means your lender can’t extend or renew a payday loan with additional fees or provide a new payday loan to pay out the existing one.
Your lender may charge a maximum NSF fee of $20 if there isn’t enough money in your bank account when your payment is due. Your financial institution may also charge you an NSF fee.
Your lender is allowed to contact you between 7am and 10pm Alberta time. Your lender is also permitted to contact your spouse, neighbour, friend, employer or acquaintance to confirm your home address, phone number and work phone number.
Your lender has the right to sue you for the amount owed plus interest and any related court fees.
Your lender may also turn your account over to a collection agency that will try to recoup the costs. This could be included on your credit report. The agency can apply to take money directly from your paycheque (also known as garnishing your wages).
If a lender attempts to withdraw funds from your bank account once and is unsuccessful because of insufficient funds, it can make a second attempt within 30 days. This second attempt must be for the same amount as the first (plus an NSF fee). The lender can’t make further withdrawals without express written consent from you.
AISH payment dates for 2025
Month of assistance
Payment date
Days between payments
April
March 26, 2025
29 days
May
April 25, 2025
30 days
June
May 27, 2025
32 days
July
June 25, 2025
29 days
August
July 28, 2025
33 days
September
August 26, 2025
29 days
Payday lenders typically schedule repayments on the day you receive your income. But keep in mind that in Alberta lenders must give you a minimum of 42 days to repay your loan, and you must be allowed to break up your payments into installments.
Other loans for Albertans on disability income
Treat payday loans as a last resort tool if you’re in a financial pinch. Check out these other loans for individuals on disability in Alberta.
Credit card cash advance. A credit card cash advance is cash borrowed from the credit limit of your card. They have high APRs, but if you’re in urgent need of funds, the fees and terms may be better than those of a payday loan. You can also pay off this debt over a longer term.
Bank overdraft. When money is withdrawn from a bank account and the account balance dips below zero, this is known as an overdraft. It’s essentially a short-term loan from the bank to cover the cost of the purchase.
Installment loan. Online lenders provide installment loans, which are like personal loans. You’ll receive a lump sum of cash that you’re responsible for paying for within a few months to a few years. Installment loans typically have smaller loan amounts than personal loans.
Cash advance app. Apply online and get approved for a small loan 24/7. You pay no interest on these cash loans, but you may pay a monthly subscription fee.
Cost comparison: Alberta payday loan vs credit card cash advance
If you’re on the fence between payday loans and credit card cash advances, here’s a closer look at the cost breakdown for both for a $500 loan:
$500 payday loan
$500 credit card cash advance
Loan term
42 days
42 days
Interest rate
$14 for every $100 borrowed (122% APR)
23% APR + 5% fee
Total loan cost
$570 ($70 interest)
$538 ($38 interest)
Which bills or expenses are causing Canadians stress?
If you’re stressed about everyday expenses, you’re not alone. According to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025, Canadians predominantly use payday loans for necessary living costs. When asked which bills or expenses were causing the most stress, the most favoured answer was groceries (51%), followed by rent (27%) and then utility bills (26%).
Bottom line
If your only source of income is AISH, it’s possible to apply to a payday lender that accepts AISH as income. Make sure that you have proof this is a steady source of income you can use towards repaying your payday loan, and consider alternatives, such as installment loans and cash advances, before getting a payday loan.
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is a benefit paid out from the provincial government to Albertans with some sort of permanent medical condition, which prevents them from working. AISH is designed to help handicapped people with financial support for both healthcare and general life expenses.
Yes, you can. You'll just need to zero in on lenders that accept AISH as income and check that you meet their minimum income requirements.
Yes, you can. But just like disability income, you'll need to find a lender that accepts Income Support as your source of qualifying income. Keep in mind that government disability income and welfare are 2 of the least accepted forms of qualifying income among payday lenders, though.
If you're struggling with your finances, you can take control of the situation with professional help. Your options include the following:
Credit counselling. You can call Credit Counselling Canada from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday at +1 866-398-5999 for free financial counselling.
Local charities. Government agencies, nonprofits and local charities in your province or territory may offer free financial services and help with food, utilities and rent for those in need.
Debt relief companies.Debt relief companies can help you find a solution to reduce your debt payments and work toward becoming debt-free.
Carmen Chai is a freelance writer at Finder, specializing in financial products. She is an award-winning Canadian journalist who has lived and reported from major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, London and Paris. She has reported on personal finance, mortgages, and banking products for nearly a decade. See full bio
Find out what loans you can apply for after bankruptcy.
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