The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) released a report on Oct. 16, identifying numerous deficiencies within the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) Program.
Saskatchewan’s provincial government created the SAID program in 2008 as an income support arrangement designed for people with lasting disabilities.
The aim of SAID was conceived to support the disabled and give them an increased range of services and participation in their communities. However, the program had been altered in recent years with several adjustments since its implementation, including frequent cuts to vital services.
Excess Shelter Benefits, the housing supplement, the special diet allowance, home repairs allowance and funeral coverage were all slashed from SAID between October 2017 to July 2018.
Other alterations to SAID included a reduction in the $6000 annual income in July 2019.
DISC organized the survey with assistance from the Community Research and Engagement Centre at the University of Regina.
The intention of the survey was meant to resolve and fully understand the influences of these changes upon SAID recipients.
The report: Rest Assured: Changes to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program and the impact on beneficiaries, contained survey results from 432 respondents, including 188 SAID beneficiaries and 244 organizations assisting SAID recipients.
Moreover, 11 individuals were interviewed to achieve a critical interpretation of the problems identified in the survey.
“In this manner, we acquired meaningful data in both a qualitative and a quantitative way,” said Rebecca Rackow, one of the survey’s authors. “The topics that were discussed centred around what works and what doesn’t with regards to the SAID program and specifically, what impact the most recent cuts had over the past few years,” she stated in conclusion.
“The original intention of SAID was to ensure that persons with disabilities in Saskatchewan could enjoy full citizenship in our province and the program would serve as an income replacement program rather than an income support program. It is clear from these findings that this intention is not being met,” said Alaina Harrison, Chair of Saskatchewan DISC.
Harrison further added that DISC is looking forward to working with the provincial government on these shortcomings, thus ensuring Saskatchewan “Is the best place in the country for people to live with a disability.”
The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition was created by a large cross section of disability advocates, consumers and organizations across the province, who are committed to promoting a respectful, dignified and adequate income support system for those who require them.
The complete report can be found at www.saskdisc.ca.
