Mayor Harris: People In Need - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday June 20th, 2019 8:35 am

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Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday June 20th, 2019 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: People In Need

New Income Support Program Launched For People In Need In Saskatchewan

Released on June 18, 2019

"The Government of Saskatchewan announced details today of a new income support program that will help people receiving income assistance overcome challenges, earn more income, become more self-sufficient and start a career.

The new program, called Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS), will begin accepting applications from new clients on July 15, 2019. The new program will be simpler, transparent, client-friendly and have new features that will help transition clients to greater independence and a better quality of life:

monthly earned income exemptions will allow clients to keep more of the money they make as they move into the workforce;
through Motivational Interviewing, staff will support clients to make positive decisions, manage their benefits/household expenses and reach their goals;
a new online application will allow clients to apply whenever they want and from wherever they want, saving both time and paperwork; and
a simpler benefit (shelter and basic needs with a few additional benefits for emergency health/safety needs or job-related expenses) will allow staff to spend more meaningful time with clients, helping them address their challenges instead of filling out paperwork.

“In this new program, our staff will work closely with clients to help them increase their independence and overcome employment barriers,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said. “We want to provide individuals who are on social assistance with the supports they need, while ensuring our programs are easier to navigate and addressing the challenges they face. Income assistance programs have not been updated in our province for more than 50 years and this new program will allow us to make changes in response to what we’ve been hearing our clients want – increased independence and more tailored guidance by our staff.”

Clients who are currently on the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) or Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA), will remain on those programs until they are wound down in the summer of 2021, or until clients voluntarily move to the new program or no longer require income support.

As of July 15, SAP and TEA will no longer accept new applications. However, the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program will remain in place and continue to run alongside the new program.

“Ignite Adult Learning Corporation is excited to be working with Social Services to help young at-risk adults become independent and self-supporting,” Ignite Corporate Liaison Officer Terina Shaw said. “We are pleased that they share our vision to grow and develop young, at-risk people right here in Saskatchewan.”

“Financial literacy skills equip vulnerable people to grow their confidence and make better decisions for themselves and their families,” READ Saskatoon Executive Director Sheryl Harrow-Yurach said. “We are pleased to be working together serving the mandate of the Ministry of Social Services in supporting clients with information, tools and skills to help them manage their household budgets and make good financial decisions.”

Since 2007-08, government funding for income assistance programs has increased by $275 million, or 89 per cent.

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore, Social Services, Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610 Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca

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Backgrounder Saskatchewan Income Support Program (SIS)

Program Details

The Saskatchewan Income Support program (SIS) launches this summer.

The new program will focus on helping people overcome their challenges and move to employment or participation in their communities to the best of their abilities.

We are shifting our emphasis from paperwork to people, from confusion to simplicity and from compliance to support.

A simpler benefit with a few additional benefits for health and safety or job‐related expenses means that we were able to increase the Adult Basic Benefit and Shelter Benefit in the new program.

There will be increased earned income exemptions. This means that clients can keep more of what they earn before their benefits are reduced. It also encourages clients to take on more hours of work so they can move to self‐sufficiency

Using a new approach called Motivational Interviewing, our staff will work alongside clients to make positive decisions, manage their benefits independently and accomplish their goals.

Saskatchewan Income Support will also be more client friendly. For example, we’re launching an online application tool so clients can apply whenever it’s convenient for them and from wherever they are.

Saskatchewan Income Support will provide a financial benefit for shelter and basic needs, with additional benefits for some situations such as emergency health and safety needs or starting a new career.

Our staff will help their clients learn how to make good financial decisions, manage their benefits, budget for their household expenses, and work to make changes in their lives to become self‐sufficient to the best of their ability.

Staff will support clients to manage their household expenses using all sources of income that they receive. Under the Saskatchewan Income Support program, clients are responsible for paying their rent, damage deposits and utilities directly to landlords and utility companies. This is similar to how the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) program works today.

The Ministry will stop taking new applications for the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) and the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) when the new program launches this summer.

Current SAP and TEA clients will not be immediately affected and will continue to receive benefits and services until the programs wind down in summer 2021, they decide to apply to the new program or they become self‐sufficient and no longer require benefits. The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program will remain in place and run alongside the new Saskatchewan Income Support program.

The Saskatchewan Income Support program is not the only source of income clients receive. Many clients also receive federal benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit.

Core Benefits

The Adult Basic Benefit is provided to each adult who is eligible for the program. This benefit is for food, local transportation, clothing, personal, and household needs. The rates for northern residents are higher to reflect the increased costs of living in northern Saskatchewan.

The Shelter Benefit is for rent, mortgage payments, utilities and other associated shelter costs including property taxes, insurance, etc.

Additional Benefits

Employment Incentives

Increased earned income exemptions so clients can keep more of what they earn before their benefits are reduced as they transition to work.

Employment and Training Benefit to help with the costs of starting a career or beginning a training program.

Health and Safety

Household Health and Safety Benefit in an emergency situation to provide replacements for household items.

Stabilization Benefit can be provided to support clients who have difficulty maintaining stable housing. Short Term Emergency Assistance may be provided to address unforeseen emergency situations that could result in harm.

Prescribed Diet Benefit for clients whose medical conditions require additional nutritional supplements or food.

Travel Benefit outside of the community for medical purposes. Discounted Bus Pass for clients and their immediate family members who live in the seven largest centres.

Alternate Heating Benefit for clients who reside in a household where natural gas is not accessible and are required to heat their home with an alternative heat source.

Change in Circumstances

Children’s Benefit for a parent who is not eligible to receive the Canada Child Benefit for child‐related costs.

Child Care Benefit to help in the short term when looking for employment or going to a job interview.

Relocation Benefit may be provided to assist with moving costs due to health emergencies, starting employment in a new location, evictions beyond client’s control, or finding a more affordable place to live. Travel Benefit outside of the community for job interviews or beginning training/employment. Security Deposits can be provided up to the amount of the Shelter Benefit.

Funeral Benefits to support the costs of funerals.

Events:

The Town Newsletter for May/June has information about upcoming events.

Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace Jackpot is $2,152.00

Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink. Watch their Ad's. Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/

Bingo 606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.

Studio Dance One pre-registrationJune 20, 2019 at the Studio Dance One studio - North End of Main St
Register your dancer for the upcoming 2019-2020 dance season.

Contact Charlyn: 306-547-1340 or Shauna: 306-547-8815