Saskatchewan. Dept. of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. Public Assistance Branch, 1954-1965

Secondary Agency

Saskatchewan. Dept. of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. Public Assistance Branch, 1954-1965

• Public Assistance Branch

1954-1965

The Public Assistance Branch of the Department of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation was established in 1954 as a result of departmental reorganization. The branch was responsible for the administration of: The Social Aid Act; The Old Age Assistance Act; The Blind Persons' Allowances Act; The Disabled Persons' Allowances Act, 1954; The Deserted Wives' and Children's Maintenance Act, 1950; and The Mothers' Allowance Regulations. Programs provided by the division were: social aid; supplemental allowances to old age security pensioners and blind persons; mothers' allowances; old age assistance; disabled and blind persons' allowances; and deserted wives and children's support.

The social aid program was administered jointly by the branch and by municipalities throughout Saskatchewan. Assistance was offered to clients based on a "needs test" evaluation system which ensured that clients were receiving assistance appropriate to their needs. In addition to the program's long-term financial assistance, short-term housing and access to health services were offered to transients. In Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, the Salvation Army collaborated with the branch and the respective municipalities in the provision of these services. Supplemental allowances were offered through the branch to old age security pensioners and to blind persons who required additional financial assistance. Allowance programs were administered by the branch to mothers, blind and disabled persons and to residents 65 years or older. The allowances were typically a fixed amount offered to qualifying residents on a monthly basis. By 1962, the mothers' allowance program was changed to focus on dependent families. The branch also provided services to deserted wives and children by administrating maintenance orders for support of children where support or payments were not granted to the wives.

The Department of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation was discontinued on April 30, 1965 with the establishment of the Department of Welfare. Responsibility for public assistance programs and services was assumed by the Public Assistance Branch of the new department.

The Public Assistance Branch of the Department of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation provided financial assistance to disadvantaged residents of Saskatchewan. Programs provided by the branch were: social aid; supplemental allowances to old age security pensioners and blind persons; mothers' allowances; old age assistance; disabled and blind persons' allowances; and support to deserted wives and children.

Rules for Archival Description (RAD)

Final

Authority record created on 2014-05-28. Approved 2014-11-14. Last modified on 2017-11-29.

AMICUS Authorities - no entry found
Department of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation annual reports