Canadian benefits glossary

Disability

Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID)

Saskatchewan's income program for people with significant and enduring disabilities who need ongoing financial support.

Pensions & seniors

Seniors benefits (overview)

Federal and provincial programs for older adults, commonly including OAS, GIS, CPP, drug plans, and tax credits.

Enrollment in OAS is often automatic, but GIS and supplements may require application.

General

Settlement worker

A professional who helps newcomers understand services, benefits, and applications in their community.

Settlement workers can help with language barriers and complex multi-step applications.

Children & family

Shared custody (benefits)

When a child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time, benefit rules may split payments between households.

Both parents must file taxes and coordinate CCB sharing rules.

Housing

Shelter allowance

A portion of social assistance or disability support meant to help pay rent, utilities, or housing costs.

Actual shelter amounts may be capped, rent above the cap is often your responsibility.

Social assistance

Social assistance

Provincial or territorial income support for people with little or no money for basic needs, with strict asset and earnings rules.

Often the last-resort income program, other benefits may reduce assistance dollar-for-dollar.

Appeals & applications

Social Security Tribunal

An independent body that hears appeals on CPP, EI, and OAS decisions after earlier review steps.

Drug coverage

Special Authority

Extra approval a prescriber must obtain before a public drug plan will pay for certain medications not routinely covered.

Without approval, you may pay full price even if the drug is listed with conditions.

General

Sponsorship bar (benefits)

A period when sponsored immigrants may be ineligible for some income programs because their sponsor committed to support them.

Length and affected programs vary, immigration status affects which benefits you can receive.

General

Spouse or partner (benefits)

For most federal benefits, your legally married spouse or common-law partner's income and status are combined with yours.

Separation, divorce, or new relationships can change benefit amounts mid-year.

Disability

Substantially restricted

A standard used in some programs meaning your impairment limits you at least 90% of the time in a basic activity of daily living, even with therapy and devices.

This is a high threshold, partial limitations may not qualify under this specific test.