The Government of Saskatchewan is forming a new Income Assistance Advisory Group to help Social Services improve income assistance programs and services.

This new group will expand on the work of the Program Implementation Advisory Team (PIAT) after they wind down this spring.  PIAT was instrumental in developing and implementing the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program.  Now that the SAID 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.  “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.”

The advisory group will be asked for their advice and feedback on the development of income assistance policies, programs and services that will best meet the needs of vulnerable Saskatchewan people.  Their mandate will include the new Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program announced last week.

Topics the group will be asked to discuss could include: