The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Saskatchewan's low-income seniors will receive increases under two provincial assistance programs. Increases to the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) and the Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB) go into effect on July 1. The monthly maximum SIP benefit for seniors who live in special care homes will double, from $25 to $50. The maximum monthly benefit for seniors living independently is increasing by $10, to a monthly maximum of $250. SIP is a monthly supplement available to seniors who have little or no income other than the federal Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Currently, more than 16,000 Saskatchewan seniors receive SIP benefits each month. In addition, the province is increasing the monthly income threshold for the PCHB by $75, to $1,875 per month. The PCHB provides seniors with additional money each month to help them with the cost of living in a licensed personal care home. Those eligible for the program receive a monthly supplement, amounting to the difference between their monthly income and the income threshold. On average, approximately 700 seniors in Saskatchewan receive the PCHB each month. Applications and further information about the PCHB are available at www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/pchb. An inquiry line has been set up toll-free at 1-855-544-7242 (PCHB). The inquiry line for the Seniors Income Plan is 1-800-667-7161. Information is also available online at www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/sip. _ Compiled from a Government of Saskatchewan news release
