Starting July 1, seniors across the province who qualify for either the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) or Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB), or both, saw a boost to the monthly benefits they receive. With this latest increase, the Government of Saskatchewan is fulfilling its four-year commitment to improve the quality of life for seniors across the province.
“Our government made a commitment under the Seniors Affordability Plan to provide seniors with the supports they need,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “We are proud to have delivered on this commitment, and we will now see approximately 14,000 seniors in need benefit from a better quality of life.”
“Seniors are extremely important to our province and our government, and we are committed to ensuring they have access to the care they need,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “The increase to the Seniors Income Plan and the changes to the Personal Care Home Benefit will support seniors’ ability to make the care choices that are best for them, whether they choose to access care in their communities or in their homes.”
The 2015-16 Provincial Budget set aside $1.1 million for this latest benefit increase for SIP recipients. This investment means qualifying seniors will see their maximum monthly benefit increase by $10 per month – to $270 for single seniors and $235 for each member of a senior couple.
Since 2007, government has tripled the maximum monthly benefit from just $90 per month to $270 per month, or $3,240 per year, as of July 1, 2015. Overall, the tripling of SIP means that seniors receiving the maximum monthly benefit receive $2,160 more than they did in 2007. Seniors who receive SIP benefits can also qualify for additional health benefits, including:
• one free eye examination every 12 months;
• chiropractic services (to a maximum of 12 services per year);
• a reduced Prescription Drug Plan semi-annual deductible;
• a home care subsidy; and
• the free loan of lower-cost devices available through the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living Program.
Eight hundred seniors will benefit from the 2015-16 increase to the PCHB, which assists seniors who have limited income with the costs of living in a personal care home. The July 1 boost meant the monthly income threshold will move to $2,000, which represents a $50 increase per month. The province has allocated $173,000 toward this increase. The PCHB currently makes up the difference between seniors’ income and the monthly income threshold.
