Financial Support

Indigenous people and their children are more likely to experience poverty than non-Indigenous people. Knowing your rights when applying for and receiving financial support can help.

You must be at least 18. You must have little or no income. You must have applied for any other financial help you can get. This could be asking for a child or spousal support order or applying for the Child Benefit.

You can apply for income support online. Step-by-step instructions are available. You can also apply by phone by calling 1.866.221.5200. Your nearest Social Services office can provide access to a computer or telephone and help applying if needed.

You can apply before you are completely out of money. You can have as much as $1,500 on hand per person in the household when you apply for income support. You can also have personal belongings (furniture, jewellery, electronics) and one vehicle per household.

You need to have your social insurance number and your spouse’s number if you have a spouse. You need your health services number, health services numbers for any children you have and for your spouse if you have one. You must provide information about your financial and living situation and bank records.

• You have the right to apply for income support.
• You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
• You have the right to live your life and make your own decisions (some things you do could affect getting support or the amount).
• You have the right to all money and services the law provides to you.
• You have the right to appeal some decisions made by your worker.
• You  have  the  right  to  have  your  affairs  handled  with confidentiality.
• You have the right to the protection of your personal information.
• You have the right to access your file information.
• You have the right to not be discriminated against on a protected ground like sex or race.
• You have the right to be treated fairly.

If you have been discriminated against, contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. If you have been treated unfairly you can contact the Ombudsman.

If your income support is changed, suspended, or cancelled, your worker should talk to you about the changes. Make sure your worker has all the right information. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a copy of it in writing.

You can appeal a decision if…

• You were not allowed to apply or reapply.
• A decision about your application is not made in a reasonable time.
• Your application is denied.
• You disagree with the amount you will receive.
• Your income support is cancelled, changed or withheld.
• A decision is made that you have received more income support than you were supposed to.

The first step is to ask for a reconsideration. You need to ask for this within 15 days of the decision. If you still think the decision is wrong, you can appeal. You must tell Social Services that you want to appeal the decision. An appeal hearing with the Regional Committee will then be scheduled. The Committee is made up of local people who do not work for Social Services.  

For more information about applying for assistance, your rights and responsibilities when you are receiving income support see PLEA's information on Financial Assistance on plea.org or order PLEA’s pamphlets Saskatchewan Income Support: Applying, Saskatchewan Income Support: Receiving, Social Assistance: Special Needs, Advances and Overpayments and Social Assistance: Appeals, free of charge by going to plea.org.

Saskatchewan Income Support Program 
Client Service Centre: 1.866.221.5200