WORKING FAMILIES RECEIVE A BOOST

Saskatchewan Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer announced increases to the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement (SES), which helps lower-to-moderate income working families with the costs of raising children. Effective May 1, the SES will increase by $30 to $54 per month depending on the size of the family.

"We want to ensure more families can secure their future with employment in Saskatchewan's thriving economy," Harpauer said. "To help these families, we are providing an additional $2 million to this program, which will allow for the largest increase to the employment supplement amounts in the program's history.

"We are also increasing the income cut-off levels so more families will be eligible to receive the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement. For example, a two-parent family with two children can earn up to $3,320 a month and still be eligible to receive a supplement."

The Saskatchewan Employment Supplement is available to parents who earn at least $125 a month from employment, self-employment or child maintenance. A family with one child can expect to receive up to $312.50 per month, while a family with five or more children may be eligible for up to $562.50 per month - these figures do not include the federal Child Tax Benefit.

The supplement will benefit an expected 5,800 Saskatchewan families, of which approximately 79 per cent will be single-parent households.

For more information about the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement and other programs, contact 1-877-696-7546 or visit www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Dianne Shannon
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3250
Email: dshannon@cr.gov.sk.ca