TRAINING ALLOWANCE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE CLIENTS PROTECTED FROM ENERGY RATE INCREASE

Help is on the way to protect training allowance and social assistance clients from the 20 per cent increase to SaskEnergy's residential rates.

Clients of the Provincial Training Allowance and Transitional Employment Allowance programs will receive offsetting increases to their home heating allowances. Saskatchewan Assistance Program clients will continue to have their actual utility costs paid, based on billings.

"It is important that our Government increase the training allowance to provide relief to students in basic education programs" Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "This increase will reduce the burden incurred by students due to rising energy costs, enabling them to focus their attention on their studies and on achieving their educational goals."

For Provincial Training Allowance clients, rates will increase by $24 per month per household for single students living away from home and single parents and $26 per month for married students. In addition, rates will increase by $2 for each child in the household. Transitional Employment Allowance clients will receive an increase of $24 per month for the first person in the household and $2 per month for each additional person.

Saskatchewan assists low-income adults in accessing basic education programs in order to upgrade their education and further their independence by moving into employment, post-secondary education or training. Approximately 5,000 students receive the Provincial Training Allowance annually.

"We're committed to protecting Saskatchewan's social assistance clients from high energy costs," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said.

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-531-4904