Are you waiting for your SAID payment? They’re issued monthly at the end of the month. Knowing the exact SAID payment dates for 2023 is important because it can help you better budget for your expenses and debt payments.
To live a healthy life, many disabled people incur multiple extra expenses, potentially totalling thousands of dollars each year. Though SAID payments don’t make up for the struggle of living with a disability, they offer a level of economic security which may otherwise be unavailable to those with disabilities.
Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) – Main Takeaways
| What does SAID stand for? | SAID is short for Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability |
| SAID Eligibility | Be a resident of Saskatchewan and at least 18 years old. Have a permanent disability that affects your daily function. Lack of financial means to meet basic necessities. |
| SAID Max Payment | The is no set maximum monthly benefit. The amount you get will depend on your circumstances. |
| SAID Payment Dates | Payments are issued monthly at the end of the month. Check the table below for the exact dates. |
What Is Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID)?
The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) is a financial support program for those living with chronic disabilities. A disability, as defined by the SAID program, is a significant and enduring issue that impacts daily function, requires support, and is likely permanent, whether presented continuously or periodically.
The SAID program provides long-term financial support with no set maximum monthly benefit. Depending on your circumstances, SAID provides financial support for daily living. disability-related expenses, shelter and other related needs.
Did The SAID Program Replace SAP?
The SAID program is a joint effort between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Social Services. It was structured through the use of feedback from the disabled community, meant to be a more accessible replacement to the former SAP arrangement, short for Saskatchewan Assistance Program.
Those who remain reliant on SAP will be phased out of the benefits in the summer of 2021. To ensure the continuation of benefits, it is important to reach out to SAID and file for assistance if you have not done so already.
Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) Payment Dates 2024
To budget your SAID payment, it helps to know payment dates. Your payment for each month will be provided at the end of each previous month. For example, your February SAID payment will be issued at the end of January.
| SAID Payment Month in 2024 | Mailed Cheques For SAID Payment | Direct Deposit Date For SAID Payment |
| January | December 22 | December 28 |
| February | January 25 | January 30 |
| March | February 26 | February 28 |
| April | March 25 | March 27 |
| May | April 25 | April 29 |
| June | May 28 | May 30 |
| July | June 25 | June 27 |
| August | July 25 | July 30 |
| September | August 27 | August 29 |
| October | September 25 | September 27 |
| November | October 28 | October 30 |
| December | November 26 | November 28 |
Are You Eligible For The SAID Program?
To qualify for SAID benefits, you must:
- Be a resident of Saskatchewan and at least 18 years old.
- Lack the monetary resources necessary to meet basic needs.
- Have an enduring disability, permanent by nature, and impacting your daily function in a way that requires accommodation.
Note: To qualify, recipients must have a Disability Impact Assessment to ensure that the disability meets the criteria.
How Do You Apply For The SAID Program?
To apply for the SAID program, you can do so by:
| Apply Online | Apply online |
| Call The Said Inquiry Line | 1-888-567-SAID (7243) or, for TTY, 1-866-995-0099 Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Visit Your Local Social Services Office | Find a nearby social services office. |
Note: If you are currently receiving the SAP program, now being phased out, contact your Income Assistance Worker to get assistance transitioning to the new program.
What Do You Get Under The SAID Program?
The purpose of this benefit is to enable disabled people to both afford the regular costs of living and to accommodate the extra expenses associated with being disabled. These are the three main components of the SAID program:
The Living Income
This is meant to cover the cost of standard living expenses including housing, transportation (to and from appointments, work, or school), and the costs of food. There are benefits for utilities and child care, including the other basic living costs associated with life.
The Disability Income
This facet of the support is meant to assist with costs specifically resulting from their disability. An example is requiring a wheelchair for mobility, treatments, in-home care, or other costs directly related to the disability itself.
The Exceptional Need Income
Every situation is unique, and certain exceptional needs arise, supported through the SAID benefit. It can include the extra cost of specialized food items, service animal support and care, or other specialized necessities.
How Much Do You Get Through SAID?
The specific amount you receive from this benefit depends on personal circumstances. It is governed in a tiered structure, depending on your physical location and personal situation.
SAID Program Rates
The amount you receive will vary for each type of benefit. For example, the Living Income Benefit will depend on the size of the household and which tier category you fall under (based on where you live).
| Tier Categories | Living Income Benefit Rates Per Month |
| Tier A | $1,094 to $1789 |
| Tier B | $1,039 to $1,664 |
| Tier C | $998 to $1,630 |
| Tier D: | $961 to $1,497 |
Source: Saskatchewan Government
Get A Higher SAID Payment With These Extra SAID Benefits
The overall benefit structure is calculated first based on the cost of living associated with each different region, referred to as a tier. This accounts for the living income benefit, however, the full scope of the program is more nuanced. There are other allowances offered, namely:
- Disability Income Benefit: Available to those receiving either modified or standard living benefits, this provides an extra $70 per month.
- Northern Living Supplement: Meant to address the added cost of living in northern regions, this gives an added $50 for each member of the household every month.
- Household Disability Support Benefit: Homes, where families must outsource household tasks due to the disability for which they receive SAID support, are offered an extra $25 per month to mitigate that expense.
- Exceptional Needs Activity Benefit: Available to those who live in an approved private care home, licensed in Saskatchewan, this is an extra $25 per month to ease expenses.
- Personal Living Benefit: This is only available to those not qualifying for the living benefit due to their residence. It extends from hotels to temporary residential or treatment facilities. An amount of $295 per adult and $55 per child is supplied monthly to buffer the cost.
To find out what tier your location falls under, and specifically what you can gain from accessing SAID Saskatchewan benefits, consult this document. It will allow you to calculate the expected income and ensure that this is a good route for your household.
Will The SAID Program Help Cover My Utility Expenses?
All tiers receive the same benefits, provided they opt for a fixed amount instead of the utilities’ real cost. For example, if your actual phone bill is only $20, you can choose the $30 monthly payout. However, because of the monetary association for each category, it is usually better to choose the actual utility cost.
Here’s how much you can get under the fixed rate for utilities:
| Utility Expense Type | Rate |
| Telephone | $30 |
| Electricity | – $84 base amount for 1 person – $13 per additional person (up to a maximum coverage of $136; includes base amount) |
| Energy/Home Heating | – $93 base amount for 1 person – $8 per additional person (up to a maximum coverage of $125; includes base amount) |
| Water and Sewer | – $50 base amount for 1 person – $6 per additional person (up to a maximum coverage of $74; includes base amount) |
Final Thoughts
Everyone deserves to have their needs met. From housing to food to personal care, programs like SAID ensure that disabled people don’t fall through the cracks. There are services in place, aiming to add ease to the application process. Though it can feel overwhelming to pursue benefits, once you are enrolled in SAID, since the disability is deemed permanent by nature, the program is ongoing. By using all the resources made available by the Saskatchewan government, including SAID, disabled people can improve their quality of life and afford the supplies necessary to thrive.
