REGINA — Changes and restructuring are coming Sept. 1 to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program.
Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson outlined what he described as “several improvements” to the SAID program to “expand and restructure the living income benefit and modernize and simplify this overly complex program.”
The government states that monthly benefits will increase for about 40 per cent of SAID clients, with an average increase of $46 per month or $3,500 per year. Families and those in rural areas will see some of the largest increases, receiving up to $294 per month.
Jenson made it clear that “no current clients will receive less money because of these changes,” as their core monthly benefit will be the same or higher in September when the changes take effect. In cases where one of the changes could result in a lower benefit amount, the client's current benefit level will be maintained.
He said they are expanding and restructuring the core living income benefit that provides a monthly income for daily needs for clients who live independently.
“Stand-alone benefits such as phone, laundry and disability income will move into this core benefit. It means clients will have a greater flexibility to spend their monthly income on day-to-day expenses as they choose, without needing to submit receipts or bills that slow down access to the benefits they are entitled to.”
School expenses and special school fees are being moved into the living income benefit instead of as a once-a-year lump sum payment. Jenson said this will ensure families can access funds to pay for things like school supplies and school fees year-round. The final annual payment will happen this August before being rolled into the regular monthly payments.
Jenson also said the living income benefit is being restructured by consolidating a number of family and community tiers. He said 32 family and community benefit tiers will be consolidated down to 12, which he says will make it simpler to administer for clients and easier to understand. He said this will also support ministry staff to spend more time working directly with clients.
“This consolidation also better reflects client needs and reduces disparity between categories, resulting in higher monthly benefits for many families and people living in rural areas,” Jenson said. “For example, clients with 3 or 4 children will receive up to $82 more per month when their family composition category is combined with the current category for families with 5 or more children. By combining the smaller and rural community categories into a single community tier, clients will receive between $23 and $175 more per month.”
Finally, Jenson said, they are taking steps to further simplify the program by removing benefits that are rarely used or already provided through other ministries or programs. The idea is to align with common government practices to improve consistency and reduce complexity.
"One key example I'd like to highlight is utility costs. SAID clients have always been able to have their actual utility costs covered. A small number of clients, about three per cent have chosen to receive a flat rate payment instead. To make the program consistent for everyone, clients who currently receive a flat rate payment will begin receiving monthly payments based on their actual utility costs.”
Jenson told reporters that all the improvements are based on regular conversations with clients and ongoing discussions with community-based organizations.
He said the government has “heard time and time again that the program is too complicated and we need to make it easier for clients to navigate and simpler to understand.”
“These changes are all about making things simpler for clients, reducing unnecessary paperwork and providing benefits that are flexible and easy to access.”
While the changes are aimed at making things simpler, the transition is itself complex and will take some getting used to. A communications effort is planned to explain what the upcoming changes mean.
Jenson said the ministry plans to reach out to each client twice by letter, with the first letter going out in the next few days with their worker's name and telephone number attached to that letter and explaining some of the basic changes. There will then be a follow-up letter when they receive their September benefits in August that will explain the changes.
In the meantime, if somebody does get a letter, “they can talk to their individual worker. Or if they have questions, we have that toll-free telephone number that a client or a CBO on behalf of the client can call to get a further explanation for that individual,” said Jenson.
While existing clients will not see lower benefits, there were questions about whether new clients might see lower benefits. Jenson told reporters they will be “eligible to receive the same living income benefit” and then, “depending on what their needs are, there's still individualized benefits available depending on that client's needs.”
It was noted that the core living income benefit rates from now to Sept. 1 will go up, with individuals having access to a higher flat rate of benefit in September compared to today. The government also points to individualized needs benefits that everyone will be able to access if they fit that eligibility.
This announcement follows some changes announced in February that took effect in April, but those impacted a very small client base of about 100 clients.
“This one is … a lot more detailed, complex, in terms of the improvements that we're making to the system,” Jenson said.
As for outreach and the feedback he received as minister, Jenson said the complexities of the SAID program have been a “kind of a recurring theme.”
“Inevitably, the complexity of the application process, the sheer number of benefits that were available, and some of the inconsistencies with some of the benefits were always topics of discussion.”
Jenson was also asked whether simplifying and streamlining the SAID program took away the ability for the program to be tailored toward individuals. Jenson responded that the program actually “gives more flexibility to individuals.”
“That's the goal of the change to the living income benefit, is to allow that flexibility for individuals to use those funds where they want to use them, rather than having a benefit necessarily issued and being told you have to submit a receipt.”
He said there are still a number of benefits, around 60 of them, that are individualized.
“So it's still very much an individualized program, and that's something that we're really, really proud of as a government, and I think the people of Saskatchewan should be very proud of this program as well.”
NDP responds
In response to the announcement, Opposition New Democrats expressed skepticism. Their social services critic Erika Ritchie issued a statement saying that for months the government has been “moving to reduce benefits while adding layer upon layer of red tape to social supports that help people put food on the table and keep a roof over their head.”
“The common horror stories we hear from clients is that their social assistance benefits come late, that they don’t even cover the cost of the basics, and there is so often no one on the other end of the phone when they call for help.”
Ritchie said they support any increase in funding to these programs, but “remain wary they are as advertised.”
“The Government’s last photo op on SAID was branded as a positive change too — but clients have told us it was anything but … Social supports in this province have been in total crisis for as long as the Sask. Party has been in power — since long before this government transitioned to SIS/SAID. Challenges related to these programs are the most common concern we field in our MLA constituency offices. The mark of a society is how we support people. At every turn, Scott Moe and the Sask. Party have failed these people — our neighbours, our loved ones.”
