In the upcoming provincial election, the Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) is asking all candidates, no matter their political affiliation, to advocate for an increase to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) funding program by $250 per month per person in order to reach a meaningful, socially acceptable level of income for people with disabilities.
“An extra $250 would mean all the difference to SAID recipients,” said DISC Chair Judy Hannah. “We are hoping this is an issue that all political candidates will take very seriously and adopt into their platforms leading up to and beyond election night.”
SAID is an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities. While previous increases to the SAID program have allowed recipients to enjoy a greater quality of life than in the past, the rapidly increasing cost of living in the province has affected SAID recipients in many ways.
Hannah noted that many of these people on the program have special dietary requirements and must eat a healthy diet, but purchasing the ingredients to make wholesome meals is often beyond their price range. SAID recipients are frequently forced to inconvenience their friends and family to get rides due to high transportation costs. Many recipients can’t even keep a roof over their heads due to the absence of housing that is both accessible and affordable. The struggle to afford even these necessities means SAID recipients are forced to live month to month and are unable to save any money, which can be devastating if an unexpected emergency arises.
“An extra $250 would allow SAID recipients to afford the basic necessities of life, save for a rainy day and be able to have the money to go out for coffee with friends, visit family or even buy a Christmas present – things we all take for granted, but are not available to many people on SAID,” said Hannah.
DISC has unveiled a new video that explores the lives of people with disabilities relying on SAID funding. To view the video, visit www.saskdisc.ca.
DISC will be hosting two all-candidate forums in March, in Regina and Saskatoon, where it invites the public, media and all parties running for office to attend for a meaningful discussion about providing an adequate level of funding for people with significant and enduring disabilities. The first forum is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on March 3 at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon (715 Broadway Ave). This will be followed by the Regina forum on March 10 from 7-9 p.m. at the Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre (2626 Dewdney Ave E).
The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition was formed by a large cross section of disability advocates, consumers and organizations across Saskatchewan that are committed to advocating for a respectful, dignified and adequate income support system.
