The Saskatchewan NDP has voiced concerns regarding the ramifications of the new Saskatchewan Income Support program (SIS), calling the overhaul “a cut that forces people into impossible choices while they struggle with rising costs” in a press release.
The SIS is set to replace the Saskatchewan Assistance Program and Transitional Employment Allowance, which will wind down in 2021 and are no longer taking new applicants.
New applicants are directed to the SIS, which launches on July 15. Under the SIS benefits, utilities are now included as part of the shelter benefit and participants must partake in mandated motivational interviews with social workers.
Opposition leader Ryan Meili voiced concerns that the program is not addressing the increase in living expenses, and is setting up those on the program who are already struggling with expenses to struggle more.
“If you’ve got your rent, your power and your water bill to pay but you can’t afford all three, what kind of awful choice are you forcing people into? They’re setting vulnerable people up to fail, plain and simple,” said Meili, in a press release.
The SIS program aims to help people who are transitioning into the workforce, to help them overcome barriers to employment. The new program has increased the earned income exemption limits, allowing people to keep more of what they earn before benefits are reduced, and has streamlined the application process online.
The NDP’s concerns highlight how the new program fails to offer reasonable support for those who are unable to work, due to barriers such as disability or illness.
In the same press release, Social Services critic Nicole Rancourt questioned why there have been no changes to support the implementation of the motivational interviews. Rancourt’s concern is the strain will be put onto already overworked social workers.
The most recent census data from 2016 indicated that 9.2 per cent of the province’s population was living below the poverty line. There are currently 37,000 households in the province receiving some form of income assistance.
