Starting July 1, seniors across the province who qualify for either the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) or Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB), or both, saw a boost to the monthly benefits they receive. With this latest increase, the Government of Saskatchewan is fulfilling its four-year commitment to improve the quality of life for seniors across the province.
鈥淥ur government made a commitment under the Seniors Affordability Plan to provide seniors with the supports they need,鈥� Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. 鈥淲e are proud to have delivered on this commitment, and we will now see approximately 14,000 seniors in need benefit from a better quality of life.鈥�
鈥淪eniors are extremely important to our province and our government, and we are committed to ensuring they have access to the care they need,鈥� Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. 鈥淭he increase to the Seniors Income Plan and the changes to the Personal Care Home Benefit will support seniors鈥� ability to make the care choices that are best for them, whether they choose to access care in their communities or in their homes.鈥�
The 2015-16 Provincial Budget set aside $1.1 million for this latest benefit increase for SIP recipients. This investment means qualifying seniors will see their maximum monthly benefit increase by $10 per month 鈥� to $270 for single seniors and $235 for each member of a senior couple.
Since 2007, government has tripled the maximum monthly benefit from just $90 per month to $270 per month, or $3,240 per year, as of July 1, 2015. Overall, the tripling of SIP means that seniors receiving the maximum monthly benefit receive $2,160 more than they did in 2007. Seniors who receive SIP benefits can also qualify for additional health benefits, including:
鈥� one free eye examination every 12 months;
鈥� chiropractic services (to a maximum of 12 services per year);
鈥� a reduced Prescription Drug Plan semi-annual deductible;
鈥� a home care subsidy; and
鈥� the free loan of lower-cost devices available through the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living Program.
Eight hundred seniors will benefit from the 2015-16 increase to the PCHB, which assists seniors who have limited income with the costs of living in a personal care home. The July 1 boost meant the monthly income threshold will move to $2,000, which represents a $50 increase per month. The province has allocated $173,000 toward this increase. The PCHB currently makes up the difference between seniors鈥� income and the monthly income threshold.
