STRONG ECONOMY MEANS FEWER PEOPLE ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

There has been a huge drop in the number of people receiving social assistance in our province, as more people find employment in Saskatchewan's growing economy.

There were 2,304 households receiving assistance from the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) in October 2008, down 1,225 or 35 per cent from the 3,529 households receiving the allowance in October 2007.

"Clearly Saskatchewan's economic growth has led to more jobs and that is translating into opportunities for former social assistance recipients," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "Improvements in the rate of social assistance dependency can be linked to a strong labour market and this government's effort to build a stronger Saskatchewan and a better life for all people in the province."

Saskatchewan's prosperity is also extending to people receiving Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) benefits, including individuals with disabilities and other special needs. In October 2008, 21,637 households received SAP compared with 22,516 households at the same time last year. That's 879 fewer households over one year.

Since last year, the government has 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 benefit 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 that more than doubles the monthly benefit and doubles the number of seniors receiving the benefit.

"This government is committed to helping people secure their future by giving them the resources they need to prosper," Harpauer said. "It's an exciting time to live in Saskatchewan."

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For more information, contact:

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