REGINA, Sask. — More than 7,700 Saskatchewan residents receiving benefits through the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program are getting more financial support following changes introduced earlier this year.
About 44 per cent of SAID clients saw an increase in their monthly benefits, averaging $51. Some families and people living in rural areas received increases of up to $294 per month.
The changes resulted in nearly $400,000 in additional benefits being paid to clients in September alone. Over the next year, the improvements are expected to provide about $4.7 million in additional support to Saskatchewan residents who rely on the program.
“ These improvements are putting more support directly into the hands of Saskatchewan residents while making the program simpler and more flexible,” Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said.
The changes simplify the benefit structure, expand and restructure the Living Income Benefit, and modernize the program to make it easier to navigate.
The province said the improvements were informed by feedback from clients and stakeholders. No current clients saw a reduction in benefits as a result of the changes.
More than 18,000 Saskatchewan residents receive support through the SAID program, which provides financial assistance to people with significant and enduring disabilities.
