In an Order in Council passed on January 23, significant changes were made to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. CUPE is deeply concerned about the timing and impact of these changes, which come during a period of growing economic uncertainty for people across Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan residents are already struggling with rising utility rates and soaring grocery costs,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “For people living with disabilities, many of whom are on fixed incomes, these pressures have pushed household budgets to the breaking point. The recent SAID regulation changes risk making an already difficult situation worse.”
Among the changes, the regulations now allow the Minister of Social Services to add debt to individuals who are unable to pay for basic necessities such as utilities or shelter. Benefits may also be reduced if a recipient receives support from another program that the Minister believes meets the objectives of SAID, even when those supports are temporary or inadequate.
In addition, the new regulations introduce barriers to self-sufficiency by removing or restricting supports for participation costs, work-related transportation, and education. Emergency benefits have been capped, limiting flexibility for people facing crises, and six benefit categories have been eliminated entirely – including supports for respite, children, transportation, and maternity – with no replacement programming put in place.
CUPE is also concerned about the potential impacts these changes may have on group homes, day programs, and personal care homes. Community-based organizations and personal care homes across Saskatchewan are already severely underfunded, and any reduction or uncertainty in government coverage threatens the stability of critical services.
“CUPE has written to the Ministry seeking clarity on how these regulation changes will affect funding for group homes, day programs, and personal care homes,” said Nicole Huber, chair of CUPE Saskatchewan’s Community-based Organization Committee. “Changes of this magnitude should not be implemented without comprehensive consultation with service providers, SAID recipients, and the workers who deliver these services.”
CUPE is calling on the government to pause and review the changes, engage in meaningful consultation, and ensure that the SAID program continues to meet the needs of people with disabilities – especially during a cost-of-living crisis.