Learn about the SIS program in Saskatchewan, including the Saskatchewan Income Support application process, regulations, and payment dates.
The Saskatchewan Income Support Program (SIS) was launched in July 2019 by the Saskatchewan government to offer financial assistance to certain residents of the province so they can meet their basic needs while they take steps to improve their financial situation.
The SIS program is a last resort for people with no other way to make money.
There are eligibility criteria that must be met before anyone can sign up for the program. Once approved, you will receive at least $315 every month.
However, the actual amount depends on your circumstances.
The Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) Program Explained
It is one of the Saskatchewan social assistance programs to relieve people and families of financial hardship.
The other is the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability Program (SAID), which caters to residents that are disabled and cannot make a living because of their medical condition.
Two other social assistance programs, Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) and Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA), both ended in August 2021. People eligible for these programs can apply for the Saskatchewan Income Support Program.
SIS Payment Dates in 2024
Saskatchewan Income Support payment amounts vary from person to person, but they are all remitted together.
Beneficiaries receive their money through direct deposit or a cheque in the mail. There are two payment days every month, one for each mode of payment.
| Payment Month | Date Cheques are Mailed | Date for Direct Deposit |
| January | December 22 | December 28 |
| February | January 25 | January 30 |
| March | February 22 | February 27 |
| April | March 27 | March 30 |
| May | April 24 | April 27 |
| June | May 25 | May 30 |
| July | June 26 | June 29 |
| August | July 25 | July 28 |
| September | August 25 | August 30 |
| October | September 25 | September 28 |
| November | October 26 | October 30 |
| December | November 27 | November 29 |
SIS Payment Amounts: How Much You Will Get
Eligibility for the SIS program is mainly based on your financial circumstances. The benefits people in the program receive include the following:
Basic Benefits
This money is meant to cater to personal needs like food, travel, clothing, and miscellaneous purchases. It is remitted every month, and the exact amount varies by location.
Eligible people that live in the Northern District of Saskatchewan receive $380, while those in other areas in the province receive $315 because of the lower cost of living. For every child a couple has, they are entitled to an extra $65.
Shelter Benefits
This money is meant to cater for rent, land taxes, mortgage payments and utility bills. The government remits this money monthly and determines the final amount depending on where you live.
Single people that live in urban areas like Regina or Saskatoon will get a $600 cheque, while couples without children will receive $775. Couples with two children or fewer will receive $1000, while those with more will get $1175 every month.
Beneficiaries residing outside the urban areas in Saskatchewan receive less money since the housing cost everywhere else in the province is lower.
Single people receive $540, while couples get $665. Couples with two children or fewer will receive $765, while those with more will get $865. All payments are made monthly.
Health Benefits
This addresses various health and safety needs, and the benefits are divided into different categories.
Beneficiaries are constantly assessed to ensure they are eligible for their health benefits and verify that they are getting proper healthcare. The health benefits are categorized into the following:
Household Health and Safety
This benefit caters to domestic violence victims. They will receive $500 at most to replace any valuable item they lose to a violent episode. In some cases, they will get full reimbursement for the item.
People in this category that need to relocate for their safety can also get the money. Payments under this category are remitted only once.
Stabilization Benefit
This benefit is given to people without a stable residence. That is people in homeless shelters, living with friends or family members, or having no permanent place to call home.
If eligible, the beneficiary will receive $150 every month.
Short-term Emergency Assistance
This accounts for health emergencies and has no specified amount because all emergencies differ. A social worker for the province will assess emergencies on an individual basis to know if an applicant is eligible.
They consider whether the emergency was unforeseen and if the victim will be further harmed if not catered to.
Prescribed Diet Benefit
People prescribed a special diet because of a medical condition will receive between $50-$150, depending on their situation. Some people also need these benefits to buy supplements to sustain their health.
Travel Benefit
SIS beneficiaries that need to make a health-related trip outside the province might be eligible for a travel benefit.
Some of the travel reasons that the program officials can consider in this category are a doctor’s appointment and surgery. There are fixed amounts for shelter, food, and mileage while on the trip.
Alternate Heating Benefits
If you live in an area where you cannot get natural gas, you will receive $130 monthly to pay for alternative forms of energy to heat your home.
Related: Canada Dental Benefit Plan Explained.
Change in Circumstances
The Saskatchewan government recognizes that the life circumstances of the SIS program beneficiaries can change.
Therefore, they have made provisions for these changes. The benefits here are in the following categories:
Training and Employment
Benefactors can receive $140 to cover the cost of registering for a training program or starting a new job.
Children Benefit
As an SIS beneficiary, if you have a child that is ineligible for the Canada Child Benefit, you can receive an extra $400. This money caters to the child’s clothing, food, household items, and miscellaneous expenses.
Child Care
This is a separate benefit from the one above. Childcare benefits are short-term financial support given to an SIS beneficiary actively seeking employment.
The program gives them $30 a day to help them pay for daycare or a nanny for their child while they go for job interviews.
Travel Benefit
You might get travel benefits if you need to travel for a training program or job interview. The exact amount will depend on your specific situation.
Security Deposit
This money is for security deposits or to cover the security-related damages in your residence. The amount given does not exceed the shelter benefit.
Funeral Benefits
This provides support when covering the cost of a funeral.
Related: CRA Benefit Payment Dates.
Saskatchewan Income Support Regulations and Eligibility Requirements
People on Saskatchewan Income Support receive different amounts of money, and the following will be assessed to determine the exact amount you deserve.
- Whether you have a spouse.
- The number of children you have.
- The area you live in and whether you pay rent or mortgage.
- Whether your income is less than the monthly exempted amount.
The exempted income amounts, according to the Saskatchewan Income Support regulations, are as follows:
- Single beneficiaries: less than $325 per month
- Couple, no children: less than $425 per month
- Couple, with children: less than $500 per month
To qualify for this social assistance program, you must verify that you meet these criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or legal refugee.
- A resident of Saskatchewan
- Have little to no income
- Have tried but failed to make a living through other means
If you tick all these boxes, you should apply for the Saskatchewan Income Support program.
This program is a last resort for people, so you must prove that you deserve the benefits. If you do so, your application will be approved.
How to Apply For SIS
The Saskatchewan income support application process is easy. You can complete it online or over the phone. The SIS social assistance phone number is 1-866-221-5200.
Have the following information/documentation ready before you apply:
- Income details, with bank records or pay stubs as proof
- Saskatchewan Health Services Number and Social Insurance Number
- Your spouse’s and children’s HSN and SIN
- A Canadian bank account in your name
- Details of the properties in your name
- A complete direct deposit authorization form
- Proof of residence and living situation, i.e., mortgage paperwork or lease
- Details of all other benefits you currently receive
- Full disclosure of your cash savings, investments, stocks, bonds, and similar finances.
Ensure you present all these documents at least 30 days from when you started the application unless they will be discarded.
Couples should fill out one application together. To be considered a couple by the SIS program, you and your partner must have been married or living together for more than three months.
Is SIS Increasing in 2024?
The Saskatchewan government announced a $1.6 billion budget for social programs in 2023. This was $67.3 million higher than 2022’s budget.
Of this amount, they will injected an extra $11.4 million into the SIS program, increasing basic benefits by $30 and shelter benefits by $25.
There is no information on whether SIS payments will increase in 2024.
FAQs
How much does welfare pay in Saskatchewan?
People on welfare will get a minimum of $315 a month as a basic benefit.
Can I work while on SIS?
You can work while on SIS but will become ineligible for the program if you earn more than $325 a month as a single person, $425 as a couple without children, and $500 as a family unit.
Does the SIS program pay utilities?
Yes, the program pays for utilities.
What is considered low income in Saskatchewan?
An income of $16,615 per year ($1,384 per month) is considered low. Income higher than this amount is taxable by the government.
Related: Learn about the Old Age Security program.
