The province’s SAID or Assured Income for Disability program is being expanded and restructured.

Beginning on September 1, the Living Income Benefit with be improved, meaning “Forty per cent of SAID clients will see an increase in their benefits, making life more affordable for 7,200 families and individuals,” according to Social Services Minister, Terry Jenson.

Specific changes to the program include the relocation of several standalone benefits that currently require client documentation into the core Living Income benefit, increasing flexibility for clients who live independently to spend their income on daily needs as they choose; restructure the Living Income benefit by consolidating the number of family and community benefit tiers, resulting in higher monthly benefits for those in rural areas; and removing benefits that are underutilized.

The province assures that no current SAID clients will see a reduction in their benefits, and in cases where a change could result in a lower benefit amount, the client’s current benefit level will be maintained.