The Government of Saskatchewan announced that it will be shifting resources and adapting policies within the Ministry of Social Services to provide more support to those in need during the new coronavirus pandemic.
“Our government is committed to providing supports to vulnerable citizens in Saskatchewan through this time of uncertainty,” social services minister Paul Merriman said in a press release.
The ministry’s pandemic response includes an additional $171,000 in funding to emergency shelters experiencing financial pressure due to the COVID-19 situation. Shelters receiving extra funding include Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Regain and Riverside Mission in Moose Jaw.
The government’s Emergency Shelter Response also includes adapting the cold weather strategy to provide those in need with emergency hotel stays when shelters are at capacity and will help transition clients to permanent housing.
Clients who have tested positive with COVID-19 will be given safe accommodation in one of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation’s 1,700 vacant units, where they can self-isolate.
For households who are currently receiving part-time benefits through the child care subsidy, the ministry will be retroactively giving them full-time benefits as of March 1 to help with the cost of licensed childcare.
The reporting requirements for income assistance have been lessened effective March 19, and all IA clients will continue to receive their benefits even if they are late reporting.
Sask Housing will also begin accepting applications for the new Saskatchewan Housing Benefit on April 1 as part of the ministry’s pandemic response. The SHB will be available to households of all sizes, including seniors and renters, and will offer a benefit of up to $250 a month based on the client's household size.
Among all of the new measures, social services offices will remain open and the first hour of every day is reserved for clients who have disabilities or health problems that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
To reduce the risk of infection, frontline child protection workers will be equipped with protective equipment and will provide child and family services through alternate means if possible.
Clients are also asked not to come into social services offices unless it is an emergency or they cannot contact their worker. Instead, contact the Client Service Centre at 1 (866) 221-5200 for assistance.
For more details on the changes made by the Ministry of Social Services, read the full press release here.
