Financial Assistance Programs – Saskatchewan Income Support

Program helps people in need meet their basic needs. Provides a monthly financial benefit to individuals and families for shelter and basic needs. Clients receive one-on-one support from Social Services’ staff, who help to build skills, make effective connections to training and employment, and support positive choices to achieve goals.

For clients with complex challenges, the ministry may make direct payments of shelter benefits available for rent, utilities, and security deposits on their behalf. Clients may also receive help to pay bills through trusteeship and money management support services.   

Amount of benefit received depends on circumstances, which are assessed every month. 

Benefits include:

• Basic Benefit – includes food, clothing, travel, personal and household items.
• Shelter Benefit – includes rent, mortgage payments, utilities, taxes, and other shelter-related costs.
• Other Benefits
  • Health and Safety
    • ​Household Health and Safety Benefit – up to $500 to help replace household items or set up a new residence due to a disaster or interpersonal violence.
    • Stabilization Benefit – $150 per month can be provided to support clients who have difficulty maintaining stable housing.
    • Short Term Emergency Assistance – may be considered to address emergency situations that are unforeseen and when failing to do so would result in harm.
    • Prescribed Diet Benefit – $50 – $100, depending on the conditions, for clients whose medical conditions require additional nutritional supplements or food.
    • Travel Benefit – outside of community for medical purposes, job interviews, or the commencement of employment at pre-determined rates for mileage, meals, and shelter.
    • Alternate Heating Benefit – $160 per month can be provided for clients who reside in a household where natural gas is not accessible and are required to heat their home with an alternate heat source.
  • Change in Circumstances
    • ​Employment and Training Benefit – $140 to help with costs of starting a career or beginning a training program.
    • Children’s Benefit – $400 for a parent who is not eligible to receive the Canada Child Benefit for food, clothing, household items, and other child-related costs.
    • Child Care Benefit – $30 per dayto help in the short term when looking for employment or going to a job interview.
    • Relocation Benefit – $200 or $300, depending on household size, to assist with moving costs due to health and emergencies, evictions for reasons beyond client’s control, starting a job outside of the community or finding a more affordable place to live within the Shelter Benefit rates.
    • Travel Benefit – outside of the community for job interviews or commencement of employment at pre-determined rates for mileage, meals and shelter.
    • Security Deposit – can be provided up to amount of the Shelter Benefit.
    • Funeral Benefits – will be provided to support the costs of funerals.

Note: Payment dates for Saskatchewan Income Support are listed online.