SASKATCHEWAN MOVES TOWARD NATIONAL CHILD BENEFIT

Released on April 24, 1997

Social Services Minister Lorne Calvert today introduced legislation

which will enable Saskatchewan to develop provincial programs that link

with the National Child Benefit.



Federal and provincial governments have agreed to develop a National

Child Benefit. The Benefit will be a monthly payment available to all

Canadian children based on their families' income.



"Saskatchewan is anxious to work with other federal and provincial

governments to ensure the federal component will proceed as quickly as

possible and to lay out a long-term roadmap for the national program,"

Calvert said.



The federal government has said that the National Child Benefit will

come into effect in July 1998. However, Saskatchewan is continuing to

call for implementation as early as possible.



As a transition toward the National Child Benefit, Saskatchewan is

enhancing and expanding benefits and services under the Family Income

Plan (FIP) effective May 1997.



FIP provides a monthly supplement for low-income families with

dependent children to help them meet the costs of food, shelter and

other necessities. The supplement is based on the number of children

in the family and the family income.



The enhancements mean that the monthly per child supplement will

increase to $120 from $105. Families now receive full benefits when

their income is less than $725 per month. In May this income level

will increase to $850 per month. In addition, the rate at which

benefits are reduced above this level has dropped from 50 per cent to

40 per cent.



As well, children's supplementary health coverage under FIP will be

enhanced. Presently children of families receiving FIP are partially

covered for supplementary health costs such as drug, dental and

optometric services. That has now been expanded so that these

children's supplementary health costs will now be fully covered.



The program expansion means that thousands of Saskatchewan families

could qualify for some benefits under the program.



"I am pleased we're able to take some action now," Calvert said. "In

the meantime I will continue to urge federal and provincial governments

to implement the National Child Benefit as soon as possible."



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For more information, contact:



Virginia Wilkinson

Social Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0916