Exciting news! Yet another province has decided to exempt the RDSP from affecting Disability Benefits. Saskatchewan put out a news release earlier today from the Ministry of Social Services indicating that the RDSP will not affect the calculations for those receiving social assistance, exempting both the RDSP as an asset and income.
In a statement found in the news release the Minister of Social Services for Saskatchewan Donna Harpauer is quoted as saying, “the exemption of RDSP assets and income from social assistance calculations makes sense for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it will encourage individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities to create RDSPs without having to worry that the assets will be clawed back when withdrawals are made on behalf of the beneficiaries.”
This a a very exciting development for people in Saskatchewan as it now means they, along with BC, Newfoundland, and Yukon, can fully utilize the benefits that the RDSP provides. The Saskatchewan Government has shown progressive and forward-thinking leadership in this move to exempt the RDSP and should be commended for this exemption of the RDSP.
If you would like to view the official news release as found on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website you can visit http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=ff7d6467-8e61-4579-8319-651bb0f3b5a7
As well, you can read the Leader-Post (Regina) article written by Pamela Cowan that does a good job of explaining the importance of this move for Saskatchewan. You can view this article at http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=d22ce6ce-3821-4b10-a130-1773ead35f1b