How to Request Your Full AISH/ADAP File - Guide
Hi friends. I have spent some time reading comments here and have come to the conclusion that nobody has any idea what is going on (including myself). So, rather than being frozen in fear I decided to ask God for wisdom and this seems like a wise first step.
If you have been moved from AISH to ADAP, like me or if your application was denied, I think it could be important for you and your doctor to see exactly what the government wrote behind the scenes. This allows your doctor to write a highly targeted medical letter to fight their decision.
Because you are requesting your own personal records, this process is legally mandated under Alberta's Access to Information Act (ATIA) and costs $0.00.
Here is exactly how to do it online in about 15 minutes:
What You Need Before You Start
A computer or smartphone.
A verified Alberta.ca Account https://www.alberta.ca/
A clear, well-lit photo of your ID (Alberta Driver’s License, Photo ID Card, or Canadian Passport).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Go to the Portal https://portal.ati.alberta.ca/citizenportal/app/landing
Scroll down to the bottom left section and click on "To make a request and log into your account, click here".
You will be taken to a page that says "Sign In to Access to Information Request Service" and click "I am submitting a request as an individual or on behalf of an individual". Then press Sign In.
You will be taken to a page that has a "Request Type" box that is not clickable, ignore that and move onto the "Request Details" section beneath.
Step 2: Request Details: Select One-time in the left box and Public/Individual on the right box if your doing this for yourself.
The Description Box (Copy & Paste Text)
Copy and paste this exact wording into the text box. It forces them legally to release the internal logs, not just a basic summary:
"Pursuant to the Access to Information Act (ATIA), I am requesting a complete copy of my personal AISH/ADAP file from inception to present. Please ensure this includes all medical review reports, financial assessments, and specifically all internal caseworker logs, adjudicator notes, and decision-maker rationale explaining previous approvals or program transitions. Thank you."
Press the Continue button on the bottom right hand side.
New page that says Request Details:
Step 3: Select the Public Body
Select Assisted Living and Social Services from the dropdown menu. (Note: This is the ministry that currently oversees AISH and ADAP).
Step 4: Request Details & Request-Type
Select Personal Request (not general).
For the Sub-Type question about "site assessment or routine disclosure", select Not Applicable.
Request Details - Location: leave blank.
Step 5: Search From - Search To
Search From: Enter January 1st of the year you first applied for AISH (e.g., 2010-01-01). Tip: Set it much earlier than you think you need to make sure absolutely no early intake notes are missed.
Search To: Enter today's date.
Step 6: Request Options (Check-boxes)
To get the important notes while speeding up their processing times, check the boxes exactly like this:
Eliminate duplicate records: Yes (Prevents messy, repetitive pages).
Eliminate draft records: No (Crucial! Caseworkers often leave their raw reasoning in drafts).
Eliminate email records duplicated in final longest string: Yes (Keeps only the final, complete email chains).
Eliminate records subject to solicitor/client privilege: Yes (Speeds up processing by bypassing legal reviews).
Eliminate records containing third-party business info: Yes (Speeds up your file).
Eliminate records containing third-party personal info: No (Crucial! If you click Yes, they will black out sections mentioning your doctors, family, or past caseworkers).
Press the Continue button on the bottom right hand side.
New page that where you will verify your ID
Step 7: Upload Identity Document
Click Upload New Document and attach the photo of your ID. This is required so they can verify they are releasing confidential medical/financial data to the right person.
If your are doing this on a desktop/laptop computer you can take a photo of your drivers license/ non drivers license ID or passport with your phone. You can then email it to your self, download the photos (front and back of drivers licence or ID) and then drag and drop your each photo, one at a time and press upload.
(Smartphone users: If you are doing this on your phone, just click "Upload New Document". Your phone will automatically ask if you want to take a photo right now using your camera, or choose an existing photo straight from your photo library. Just snap a clear picture of your ID and it will upload instantly.)
Press the Continue button on the bottom right hand side.
New page Pay Fee & Submit
Step 8: There is no fee to pay.
Press the Continue button
New page Thank you, Your request has been submitted.
Step 9: Save Your Request ID.
Important: Take a screenshot/ photo or write down your Request ID. This is your confirmation Number.
You will then get an email confirming that your request has been submitted.
If you visit https://portal.ati.alberta.ca/citizenportal/app/landing
you will be able to see the status of your request.
Also When the request is complete, the files will appear digitally right inside that same tracking portal under a tab usually called "My Downloads" or "Released Records. I will update this as soon as I see it for myself.
Side Note: The "Due Date" and "Closed Date" fields will show up as blank at first. This is not tied to "Search From - Search To" dates you selected previously. This is ok! They will fill in once a human caseworker manually opens and dates your file.
Requesting on Behalf of Someone Else? (Guardians/Trustees) If you are doing this for a child, family member, or someone you have legal authority over, follow the exact same guide with two minor tweaks:
In Step 2: Under "Request Details", choose Representative instead of Public/Individual.
In Step 7: Along with their photo ID, you must upload a scan or photo of your legal authority document (such as your Guardianship Order, Trusteeship Order, or Written Consent Form).
What Happens Next?
By law, the ministry has 30 business days to process your request and send the files to you. If it's taking longer, it could be because the government can legally request a 30-day extension, but they must notify you by email if they do.
Once you receive them, look through the "Adjudicator Notes" for the exact sentences they used to justify moving you off AISH. Hand those specific sentences to your doctor so they can write an ironclad rebuttal letter.
To be completely honest, I can't promise this will fix everything or instantly solve our problems with the program but it could help provide us with insight into the raw truth of what they wrote, and maybe that will be enough to give us a fighting chance. It is absolutely worth a shot.
Personal note of reflection:
I don't know what is going to happen but I know that God is in control and I trust Him. I'm not religious nor am I preaching, but I do believe In Jesus Christ and I'm not ashamed of it... He saved me from myself. One of my go to bible verses for comfort is from the book of Psalms, chapter 34 verse 18 - 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.' If anyone needs comfort, there are completely free Bible apps and websites online (like BibleGateway, BlueLetterBible or YouVersion) that you can access anonymously.
I am praying for all those affected by these recent changes.
Take care my friends.
God bless.