The Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI) is a monthly payment of up to $400, $500 or $600 for working parents with low incomes, depending on how many children they have. It also comes with Supplementary Health Benefits and cheaper bus passes in some cities. There’s no fixed payment day: the SEI arrives after you send in your monthly income report.
How much you’ll get
You get the most when your family’s earned income is between $500 and $2,200 a month, before deductions. These are Saskatchewan’s figures as of September 2026:
| Eligible children | Most you can get a month | Payment stops when family income reaches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $400 | $3,533.34 a month |
| 2 | $500 | $3,866.67 a month |
| 3 or more | $600 | $4,200.00 a month |
Once your family income goes over $2,200 a month, the SEI goes down by 30 cents for every extra dollar. Example: a parent with one child and a family income of $3,000 a month is $800 over the line. The SEI drops by $240 (30 cents times $800), so the payment is $160 that month.
Because you report every month, your payment can change from month to month as your hours and pay change.
What counts as income
Along with your pay or self-employment income, you must report other money coming in, such as CPP, EI, OAS, GIS, the Seniors Income Plan, Workers Compensation, child or spousal support, rental income, and gifts or e-transfers. Some money doesn’t count, including the Canada Child Benefit, the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit, tax refunds, GST payments, scholarships, loans, an RDSP and income earned by your dependent children.
Who qualifies
You may qualify if all of these apply:
- You are 18 or older and live in Saskatchewan.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, with a valid Social Insurance Number and Saskatchewan Health Services Number.
- You have children aged 0 to 12, or children 13 to 17 who need child care because of special circumstances such as a disability.
- You get the Canada Child Benefit for those children, or you are a Person of Sufficient Interest with the children in your care.
- You earn at least $500 a month from work, before deductions, and your family income is under the limit in the table.
You can’t get the SEI while you are on Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) or Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID). You can only be in one program at a time. If you’re on SIS or SAID and starting to earn $500 a month or more, ask your worker about moving to the SEI.
If you share custody, each parent can add the same children to their own file, as long as both of you get the Canada Child Benefit for them.
How to apply
- Set up a free Saskatchewan Account if you don’t have one. Turn on alerts, because updates come by email or text.
- Gather what you need for you and your spouse: pay stubs for all pay received last month (or a CRA Notice of Assessment if you’re self-employed), Social Insurance Numbers, Health Services Numbers for your family, and your direct deposit details. Note the amounts of any CPP, EI, OAS, GIS, support payments or rental income.
- Apply online on the Saskatchewan Employment Incentive page. It takes about 25 minutes, and you can save and come back.
- If you have a child aged 13 to 17 who needs child care, include written confirmation from a professional, such as the ministry’s special circumstance child care referral form.
If you qualify, your start date is the day you submitted your application and consent. On the form you can also ask to hear about the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit, and you’re checked for Supplementary Health Benefits automatically.
When it’s paid
You get a notice each month when your income report is due. When you’re paid depends on when you send it:
- Report before the 10th of the month: you get your benefit by the 15th.
- Report before the 25th: you get it on or about the 1st of the next month.
That’s why this page doesn’t show a calendar of dates. The SEI is paid by direct deposit. If you truly can’t open a bank account, you can ask for a cheque through an online communication form when you apply.
The SEI is paid separately from the Saskatchewan Income Support payment dates, which follow their own schedule.
Payment late, missing or different?
First check that your monthly report went through. Your SEI is held until you send your report, and if you miss two months in a row, your benefit ends. You can reapply if your situation changes. Then check with your bank.
Other common reasons a payment is smaller or missing:
- Your income went up. Over $2,200 a month, each extra dollar lowers the SEI by 30 cents.
- Your earnings fell below $500 from work that month.
- Your bank changed. Update it in your SEI account and upload a void cheque or direct deposit form.
- A mistake in your report. You can fix your last two monthly reports yourself. For older ones, send an online communication form.
For help, submit an online communication form from your SEI account. The Ministry of Social Services says someone will get back to you within five business days.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for a fee, gift cards or your passwords to release a benefit. If you get a text about your SEI payment, don’t click the link. Sign in to your Saskatchewan Account yourself. See our scams page.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: the monthly federal payment for children. You need it to qualify for the SEI, and it doesn’t lower your SEI.
- Canada Workers Benefit: a federal tax credit for people with low earnings, partly paid in advance.
- Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit: paid four times a year when you file your taxes.
- Benefits checkup: see what else your family may qualify for.
Common questions
When is the Saskatchewan Employment Incentive paid?
It depends on when you send your monthly report. Report before the 10th and you’re paid by the 15th; report before the 25th and you’re paid on or about the 1st of the next month.
How much is the SEI per month?
Up to $400 for one eligible child, $500 for two and $600 for three or more. It goes down by 30 cents for each dollar of family income over $2,200 a month.
Can I get the SEI and Saskatchewan Income Support at the same time?
No. You can be in only one program at a time. SIS and SAID clients who start earning at least $500 a month can talk to their worker about switching.
Does the Canada Child Benefit count as income for the SEI?
No. The Canada Child Benefit, the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit, tax refunds and GST payments don’t lower your SEI.
What happens if I forget my monthly report?
Your payment is held until you send it. If you miss two months in a row, your SEI ends, and you would need to reapply.
Will I get a tax slip for the SEI?
Yes. You can download your T5007 slip from your SEI account under “Self-service”, along with your payment statements.