The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit (SHB) is a flat monthly payment that helps renters with low to moderate incomes pay their rent and utilities. It is run by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) and funded by Saskatchewan and the federal government. The monthly amounts went up 20% on July 1, 2026.
How much you’ll get
Your payment depends on two things: who is in your household, and how much of your before-tax income goes to shelter (rent plus utilities).
| Share of income spent on shelter | Single or couple | With one dependant | With two or more dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35% to 45% | $210 a month | $270 a month | $330 a month |
| More than 45% | $270 a month | $330 a month | $390 a month |
These amounts took effect on July 1, 2026.
How to work out your share: add your monthly rent and utilities, divide by your monthly before-tax household income, then multiply by 100.
Example: a single senior with $2,000 a month in before-tax income pays $750 rent and $100 in utilities. Shelter costs are $850, which is 42.5% of income, so the benefit is $210 a month.
Example: a couple with two children has $4,500 a month in income and pays $1,900 in rent and $250 in utilities. That’s $2,150, or about 48% of income, so the benefit is $390 a month.
Two other streams pay different flat amounts from July 1, 2026:
- Supportive Housing Stream, for renters who get support services from an approved provider: $315 single, $385 with one dependant, $455 with two or more dependants.
- Seeking Safety from Interpersonal Violence Stream: $450 single, $550 with one dependant, $650 with two or more dependants. New clients may also get a one-time payment to help set up a new home.
Who qualifies
You may qualify for the main (Core) stream if:
- You rent your home in Saskatchewan.
- You spend 35% or more of your before-tax household income on rent and utilities.
- Your household has less than $300,000 in assets, such as savings, investments, retirement savings and home equity.
- Your before-tax household income is at or below the limit: $43,100 for a single person or couple, $52,900 with one dependant, or $63,800 with two or more dependants. (SHC’s fact sheet links these limits to the number of bedrooms your household needs: one, two, or three or more.)
You can’t get SHB if you:
- get shelter support from another Saskatchewan income assistance or training program, such as Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) or SAID
- rent from a housing authority under the Social Housing Program
- are a newcomer with financial sponsorship
- are in a federal or provincial jail or a community training residence
- are a full-time post-secondary student
On-reserve housing, licensed facilities and rentals not covered by The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 are also excluded. Co-op housing can qualify.
How to apply
- Apply online through the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit page, or fill in the PDF application. Both are the same, so only send one.
- Attach your most recent Notice of Assessment or tax return for every household member 18 and over, and a copy of your signed lease. If you aren’t a Canadian citizen, add proof of your immigration status. If you didn’t file taxes last year, call SHC to ask what else you can use.
- Send the PDF by email to [email protected], by fax to 1-306-798-3110, or by mail to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, 11th Floor, 1920 Broad Street, Regina, SK S4P 3V6.
If you haven’t heard from SHC within 14 business days, contact them. Mailed applications take longer.
There is no deadline, but funding is limited and paid first-come, first-served. The benefit lasts 12 months. You may keep getting it after that if you still qualify and funding is available.
What changed in 2026
The 2026-27 provincial budget added $3.2 million to the program, and new rates started on July 1, 2026:
- Core Stream amounts rose 20%.
- Supportive Housing Stream amounts rose 40%.
- Seeking Safety amounts doubled, and new clients can get a one-time moving-in payment.
Saskatchewan says more than 5,000 households get SHB.
Payment late, missing or different?
SHB is paid monthly, but SHC doesn’t publish a payment day. It isn’t on the Social Services payment calendar either, which only covers SIS and SAID. If a payment seems late, check with your bank first. Then call SHC toll-free at 1-844-787-4177 or email [email protected].
Common reasons a payment stops or changes:
- Your 12 months are up and SHC hasn’t renewed your benefit yet.
- Your household changed. You must tell SHC right away. If you don’t, the benefit could be cancelled, or you might have to pay back an overpayment.
- You started SIS or SAID, which include their own shelter support.
You must use SHB to pay for rent and utilities.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for fees, gift cards or passwords by text or email. If you get a message about your housing benefit, don’t reply. Call SHC yourself at 1-844-787-4177.
Other help you might be missing
- Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS): monthly help if you can’t meet basic needs.
- Saskatchewan Seniors Income Plan: a monthly top-up for seniors with little income besides OAS and GIS.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: the main federal top-up for low-income seniors on OAS.
- Canada Child Benefit: a tax-free monthly payment for families with children.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the renamed GST/HST credit, paid four times a year when you file your taxes.
- Working families with low income and children may also qualify for the Saskatchewan Employment Incentive, which Saskatchewan lists next to SHB.
Common questions
How much is the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit?
From July 1, 2026, the Core Stream pays $210 to $390 a month, depending on your household and how much of your income goes to shelter.
What is the income limit for the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit?
$43,100 for a single person or couple, $52,900 with one dependant, and $63,800 with two or more dependants, before tax. Assets must be under $300,000.
When is the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit paid?
Once a month. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation doesn’t publish the exact day.
Can I get the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit on SIS or SAID?
No. If you get shelter support from SIS, SAID or another provincial program, you can’t also get SHB.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No. You can apply any time, but funding is limited and first-come, first-served.
How long does the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit last?
12 months. It may continue after that if you’re still eligible and funding is available.