INCOME PROGRAM OPENS TO PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM DISABILITIES

People with significant, long-term disabilities no longer have to rely on social assistance following the launch of the province's new Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program (SAID).

More than 3,000 people who are eligible for the new program have been invited to enroll by the Ministry of Social Services, as part of the program's implementation, with the first benefits to be paid for the month of December. So far, more than 2,000 people have already enrolled in the new program.

"For the first time, Saskatchewan people with long-term disabilities have their own separate income program," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "As requested by the disability community, the new program has fewer reporting requirements and will be less intrusive than social assistance."

The SAID program was designed in collaboration with members of the disability community and will provide an income for people with significant, long-term disabilities that is separate from the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP). Financial benefits and amounts will remain the same as those currently provided through SAP. However, people enrolled in SAID will not have to re-verify their disability status on a routine basis. Enrollees in SAID will also continue to receive Supplementary Health Benefits.

Participation in the new program is voluntary. People on social assistance with significant, well-documented, long-term disabilities are eligible for SAID, and have been invited to enroll, if they:

• live in residential care or family care settings with an assessed level of care of two or higher; or
• live in a Social Services or Mental Health Services group home.

A Program Implementation Advisory Team (PIAT), comprised of members of the disability community, has been established to provide advice on the implementation and development of the new program. PIAT members continue to meet with agencies and clients to gather feedback on the processes being used for the implementation of SAID. The team is also working with ministry officials to draft terms of reference for a staff training strategy, and for an assessment process that may be utilized in the future development of SAID.

For more information, please call 1-888-567-SAID (7243) or visit the Ministry of Social Services website at http://www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/SAID.

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For more information, contact:

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