The Government of Saskatchewan is looking for people to apply to be part of a new advisory group related whose goal is to help Social Services improve income assistance programs and services.
The new Income Assistance Advisory Group is being formed to expand on the work of the Program Implementation Advisory Team (PIAT). PIAT was instrumental in developing and implementing the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program. Now that the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program is fully operational, PIAT’s mandate has come to an end and their terms expire this May.
“PIAT provided a voice for the disability community during the development and implementation of the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said in a press release. “I want to thank all PIAT members, past and present, for their guidance and support over the past decade, and congratulate them on a truly historic achievement for people with disabilities in Saskatchewan.
“The new advisory group, made up of citizens with interest and experience in income assistance, will provide valuable perspectives on our programs and services, as well as practical advice on how we can help people achieve a better quality of life.”
Social Services invites representatives from the disability community, as well as all other interested stakeholders, organizations, community members and clients to apply to participate in the new Income Assistance Advisory Group.
The new advisory group will be asked for their advice and feedback on the development of income assistance policies, programs and services to help meet the needs of people with disabilities across the province.
Their mandate will include the new Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program that was announced last week in the provincial budget. The government has pledged $50 million for SIS to help people who are transitioning into the workforce by increasing earned income exemptions.
Details of that program are expected to be announced close to its summer launch date.
Once it is formed, the provincial government said that the Income Assistance Advisory Group will look at a number of topics, including how our programs and services can be made more client-friendly; positive ways to help clients become self-reliant to the best of their ability; how to build on the good work of PIAT to ensure that people with disabilities continue to receive good quality services and supports; and better alignment of ministry and community services for clients and beneficiaries.
