The Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) benefit is a financial support program for individuals and families who require financial assistance to be able to afford basic living necessities.
To be eligible for SIS, you must be in a position where you require financial help, and you (and your spouse or partner, if applicable) must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have refugee status, or be covered under the Canada Ukraine authorization for emergency travel
- Live in Saskatchewan
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have either no or very little income
- Have tried every possible alternative way to support yourself, such as getting a job, seeking child support, and so on
SIS Payment Dates
SIS payments are made monthly either by direct deposit or by cheque.
Here are the 2023 payment dates:
| Month (2023) | Payment Dates |
|---|---|
| January | December 28, 2022 |
| February | January 30, 2023 |
| March | February 27, 2023 |
| April | March 30, 2023 |
| May | April 27, 2023 |
| June | May 30, 2023 |
| July | June 29, 2023 |
| August | July 28, 2023 |
| September | August 30, 2023 |
| October | September 28, 2023 |
| November | October 30, 2023 |
| December | November 29, 2023 |
How Much Could I Get for SIS?
The amount you could get for SIS depends on your circumstances, which are evaluated on a monthly basis.
Here is a list of the benefits covered under SIS and their payment rates as of May 1, 2022:
| Type of benefit | Description | Payment Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Benefit (Outside Northern Administration District) | To cover essentials like food, travel, clothing, household and personal items | $315/month |
| Basic Benefit (Within Northern Administration District) | Adults: $280/month Children: $$65/child per month |
|
| Shelter Benefit (Saskatoon/Regina) | To cover living costs like rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and other related costs | Singles: $600/month Couples: $775/month Families (1-2 children): $1,000/month Families (3+ children): $1,175/month |
| Shelter Benefit (Rest of the province) | Singles: $540/month
Couples: $665/month Families (1-2 children): $765/month Families (3+ children): $865/month |
|
| Household Health and Safety Benefit | To cover the costs of replacing household items as a result of a disaster or domestic/interpersonal violence | Up to $500 |
| Stabilization Benefit | To help those who struggle with finding stable housing | $150/month |
| Short Term Emergency Assistance | For cases where there are unforeseen, emergency situations where harm could be done without financial assistance | Varies |
| Prescribed Diet Benefit | To help cover the expenses of additional nutritional supplements or food needed due to medical conditions | Varies from $50 to $150 |
| Travel Benefit | To cover the costs of traveling (includes mileage, food and shelter) for medical reasons, job interviews or the start of a new job | Varies |
| Alternate Heating Benefit | To help those living in a household where natural gas isn’t accessible and who need an alternate heat source | $130/month |
| Employment and Training Benefit | To cover the costs of starting a new job or training program | $140 |
| Children’s Benefit | To cover the costs of food, clothing, personal and household items for children,for those who don’t qualify for the CCB (Canada Child Benefit) | $400 |
| Child Care Benefit | To help cover the costs of short-term childcare when going to a job interview or looking for a job | $30/day |
| Relocation Benefit | To help with moving costs relating to emergencies, evictions for reasons outside of your control, starting a job somewhere further or finding a cheaper place to live | Varies from $200 to $300 depending on household size |
| Security Deposit | To help cover the costs of a security deposit to your landlord | Same as Shelter Benefit |
| Funeral Benefits | To help cover the cost of a funeral | Varies |
How to Apply for SIS
You can apply for SIS in 3 different ways: online, over the phone, or in person.
Applying online is the quickest and most efficient way.
You can easily edit your information as it changes, and enable text messages to stay up to date with the status of your application.
To apply online, all you need to do is:
- Sign in or create a Saskatchewan account.
- Answer all the questions and submit the required documents. This process takes about 20-30 minutes. If you can’t complete it all in one sitting, the online portal will save your application for up to 15 days.
To apply over the phone, just call Social Services at 1-866-221-5200 anytime from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
To apply in person, just visit your nearest Social Services office during the opening hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SIS program in Saskatchewan?
- How can I apply for SIS?
Tara Al-Khudairi is a freelance personal finance writer who has worked in the financial services industry since 2017. She graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Finance and is pursuing her CFA.
She has worked at a major Canadian financial institution in various client-facing advisory roles, starting as a bank teller and working up to a Client Services Associate within the Asset Management division. She specializes in simplifying concepts of personal finance for people of various financial backgrounds.
When she’s not examining the markets looking for the next SHOP.TO, she’s either practicing yoga, planning her next vacation, or has her nose buried deep in a book.