STRONG ECONOMY CONTINUES TO HELP PEOPLE LEAVE SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

More and more people continue to find employment in Saskatchewan's growing economy, driving the number of households receiving the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) down by nearly 29 per cent.

TEA is the social assistance program designed for those most ready to work. Last month, 2,266 households received assistance from TEA, down 917 from the 3,183 households that received the allowance in November 2007. Saskatchewan's strong economy is also helping recipients of Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) benefits, including people with disabilities and other special needs. In November 2008, 21,412 households received SAP benefits - nearly 800 households (about four per cent) fewer than the 22,209 households that received these benefits just one year ago.

"The province's strong economy is not only attracting people from across Canada, it's also creating more and more opportunities for Saskatchewan families and individuals, including current and former social assistance recipients," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "In the face of global economic uncertainty, it continues to be an exciting time to live in Saskatchewan. This government remains committed to building a stronger Saskatchewan and helping to secure the future for all people in the province."

During its first year in office, the new government announced significant increases in support for low-income families, including increases to:
• the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement;
• the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement;
• the Discounted Bus Pass Program;
• the Saskatchewan Child Care Subsidy; and
• the income thresholds for social housing.

In addition, Saskatchewan residents will benefit from recent changes to the provincial tax system that help low-income people, such as an increased child tax credit, the new enhanced low-income tax credit, and a higher basic personal exemption that means 80,000 low-income people will no longer pay any income tax at all.

Low-income seniors will also benefit from a significant increase to the Seniors Income Plan, beginning in January 2009, that more than doubles the monthly benefit and doubles the number of seniors receiving the benefit.

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For more information, contact:

Brian Miller
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: brian.miller3@gov.sk.ca