The Government of Saskatchewan has officially launched the new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive, created to support working families with lower income.

Working parents earning between $500 and $2,200 per month may be eligible for the maximum monthly SEI benefit ranging from $400 to $600, depending on the number of children they have. The SEI is replacing the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement and Child Care Subsidy.

Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said. “The Saskatchewan Employment Incentive helps low-income families choose and maintain employment by helping them with essential costs such as transportation, clothing and child care.”

The SEI will provide working families who have lower incomes with a monthly financial benefit, supplementary health benefits, access to discount bus passes (where available), connections to employment supports through the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, and access to the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

Both programs will be available to existing clients for an additional 12 months but in a news release the Saskatchewan government says existing clients will be better off with the benefits and supports by applying for SEI.