SIS Payment Dates, Benefits, Amount & Application 2024

If you’re a resident of Saskatchewan struggling with financial challenges, finding it difficult to cover basic necessities, and seeking information on SIS payment dates, this blog post is for you.

The Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program provides income assistance to individuals and families struggling with low income, disability, or unemployment, and who require financial assistance to afford basic living necessities.

In this comprehensive blog post, we will extensively discuss the SIS program, who is eligible, how to apply, and the scheduled SIS payment dates for 2024.

Key Takeaways

• SIS payments are disbursed during the last week of each month depending on whether you receive your payments by cheque or direct deposit. The next SIS payment date for 2024 is October 30, 2024.
• The SIS program offers benefits across four distinct categories: basic, shelter, health and safety, and change in circumstances.
• Each SIS benefit comes with its eligibility criteria and amount.
• If you’re single, you may qualify for a basic benefit of up to $410 per month, along with a shelter benefit of up to $630 monthly.

SIS Payment Dates 2024

SIS payments are paid out on different days of the month for direct deposits and cheques. Those who receive SIS payments via cheques can expect to receive them in the mail earlier than those who receive them via direct deposits.

Here are the Saskatchewan Income Support payment dates for 2024:

Source: www.saskatchewan.ca

What is the SIS?

The Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program is designed to assist individuals in meeting their basic needs as they work towards becoming more self-sufficient and independent to the best of their abilities.

Introduced in July 2019, the SIS program stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Saskatchewan provincial government to support its residents during times of economic adversity.

The program is managed by the Ministry of Social Services, and provides financial aid to low-income individuals and families, enabling them to cover fundamental expenses such as housing, food, and clothing.

The SIS program offers a monthly financial benefit to cover shelter and basic needs. In addition to financial assistance, SIS clients benefit from personalized support provided by Social Services staff. This support involves helping clients build skills, establish connections for training and employment, and make positive choices to achieve their goals.

Types of SIS Benefits and Payment Amounts 

Your monthly SIS benefit amount will depend on your situation. Your circumstances are assessed monthly to ensure your benefit reflects your living condition.

SIS benefits are categorised into four: Basic Benefits, Health and Safety Benefits, Change in Circumstances, and Employment Incentives, each representing a different aspect of regular living expenses.

Basic Benefits

The basic benefits include regular expenses like food, travel, clothing, and personal and household items. 

If you reside outside the northern district, you will get $345 monthly. And because the living costs within the northern district are more expensive, those living inside the northern district can expect $410 monthly plus $65 per child.

Shelter Benefits

The SIS shelter benefits include housing expenses like rent, utilities, mortgage payments, taxes, and other shelter-related expenses.

The benefit is paid out monthly; how much you receive depends on where you live and the cost of living.

The benefit amount for single beneficiaries living in Saskatoon or Regina is $630. However, couples without dependent children can expect $805. If you have one or two children, you will get $1030, and $1,205 if you have three or more children.

Conversely, single beneficiaries living outside Regina or Saskatoon will receive $570, couples without dependent children will receive $695, families with one or two children will receive $795, and families with three or more children will receive $895.

Health and Safety Benefits

The SIS health and safety benefit helps individuals to pay for health-related expenses. It is further categorised into the following sessions:

• Household Health and Safety Benefits: receive up to $500 to replace household items or set up new residences due to disasters or interpersonal violence.
• Short-term Emergency: There is no set amount for the benefit because emergencies differ. However, a social support worker will evaluate your circumstances and determine your benefit amount.
• Stabilization Benefit: Offers $150 monthly to support individuals having difficulties maintaining stable housing.
• Prescribed Diet Benefit: Offers $50 to $150 to individuals with medical conditions that require additional nutritional supplements or food. The benefit amount varies depending on the condition.
• Travel Benefit: Pays for individuals to travel outside the country for medical purposes, job interviews, or commencement of employment. The benefit amount is calculated using predetermined meal, housing, and mileage rates.
• Alternative Heating Benefit: Offers $160 monthly to individuals residing in households without natural gas and require alternate heat sources to heat their home.

Change in Circumstances

The SIS program also helps individuals address fluctuating circumstances. It is further categorised into the following:

• Childcare Benefit: Offers $30 daily to help alleviate the financial burden of short-term childcare expenses, particularly while beneficiaries actively seek employment.
• Children’s Benefit: Offers $400 to parents who do not qualify for benefits from the Canada Child Benefit, providing additional aid to support their children’s well-being, food, clothing, household items, and other child-related expenses.
• Travel Grant: Offers benefits to individuals for job-related travel needs, including interviews, new employment, or training. This benefit amount is based on mileage, meals, and lodging expenses.
• Security Deposit: This benefit aids beneficiaries in managing damage deposit expenses. The benefit amount parallels that of shelter benefits.
• Employment and Training Benefit: Offers $140 to ease the financial strain associated with embarking on a new career path or enrolling in a fresh training program.
• Relocation Benefit: Offers $200 to $300 to individuals facing evictions, crises, medical exigencies, or job-related relocations.
• Funeral Coverage: This benefit comprehensively covers the expenses tied to funeral services, offering solace during challenging times.

Who Can Apply For SIS?

To be eligible for the SIS benefits, you must: 

• Be a Canadian citizen, have permanent residency or refugee status, or be in Canada under the Canada Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.
• Currently residing in Saskatchewan
• Be 18 years or older.
• Have no income or fall under the low-income bracket
• Have explored every other reasonable way to support yourself, including employment, seeking child support, etc.

SIS Application

The Saskatchewan Income Support application process is easy and straightforward. To apply, you must provide: 

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Saskatchewan Health Services Number (HSN)
• Your spouse and children’s information, including their SIN and HSN
• Information about your income and money available to you, including money in the bank, RRSPs, stocks, bonds, GICs, cash, etc.
• Information of properties and vehicles you own
• Information about other benefits you are receiving
• A bank statement for all your accounts 

You can apply for the SIS program online or over the phone. If you do not have a valid SIN or HSN, you can provide verification that you have applied.

You have 30 days to provide the required information from the date you apply. So, ensure that your documents are ready before you begin the process. Other documents you will need to provide include:

• Documents about your living condition (rental contract, tenancy agreement, etc.)
• A direct deposit authorization form
• Completion of the mandatory service questionnaire for yourself and your spouse, if applicable.

Note: If you opt to receive your SIS payments via cheques, you won’t need a direct deposit form.

Is SIS Increasing in 2024?

In April 2023, individuals in Saskatchewan with lower incomes received increased monthly benefits, courtesy of the $26.6 million expansion to income assistance benefits as declared in the 2023-24 Provincial Budget. 

In May 2023, the Adult Basic Benefit, Shelter Benefit, and Alternate Heating Benefit accessible through SIS each witnessed a $30 monthly enhancement. This increase will reflect the added $14.3 million in benefits made to SIS beneficiaries.

There have been no recent updates on the SIS increase in 2024.

Final Thoughts on SIS Payment Dates

Knowing the SIS payment dates is crucial for anyone relying on this vital support program. By staying informed about the specific dates for disbursement, you can better plan and manage your finances.

You can take a look at other income assistance benefits in Saskatchewan, such as the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID), an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities, and the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement (SES), which offers a monthly payment to lower-income families with children to supplements income from a job, farming, self-employment, or a child or spousal support.

FAQs on SIS Payment Dates

Can I work while on SIS?

If you work in Saskatchewan, you can still receive financial assistance if you don’t earn enough to pay for your basic needs.

What is considered low income in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, families with an adjusted net income of between $33,755 and $70,045 are considered low income.

Who is eligible for income assistance in Canada?

You are eligible for income assistance in Canada if you’re unemployed, not earning enough to pay for your basic needs, or can’t work.