More than 13,000 individuals who experience significant and enduring disability will see an increase to the monthly benefit they receive through the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. With this latest increase, which takes effect June 1, the Government of Saskatchewan is fulfilling its four year commitment to increase SAID benefits to help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that Saskatchewan is a province that leads the nation in quality of life for people with disabilities,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “We are able to continue to increase benefits for those living with a disability because Saskatchewan remains strong. Our government also believes that the benefits of growth should provide everyone in our province with the opportunity to realize their full potential.”
The amount of benefit increase is based on family size and living arrangements, as follows:
Single persons receiving care in a residential care setting (i.e., family home, personal care home, group home, approved private-service home, special care home or long term care facility), will receive an increase of up to $20 per month;
Single persons or single parents who rent, own a home, or live in board and room accommodation, will receive an increase of up to $50 per month; and
Couples with no children or two parent families who rent, own a home, or live in board and room accommodation, will receive an increase of up to $55 per month.
The 2015-16 Provincial Budget provides $200 million in funding toward the SAID program, which includes $5.7 million for the benefit increase.
“The success of the SAID program is the result of members of the disability community working with Government on the design of the program,” SAID Program Implementation Advisory Team Chair Merv Bender said. “That’s why we will continue to work collaboratively on the future development of SAID.”
The Government of Saskatchewan continues its commitment to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada for people with disabilities to live. A Citizen Consultation Team has been working on a comprehensive Disability Strategy, expected to be released at the end of June.
More information about the Strategy can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/disabilitystrategy.
