The Social Services Ministry says at least one social assistance recipient was sent an incorrect letter regarding a payout from the Treaty 8 Agricultural Benefit Settlement Agreement.
A letter dated July 26, sent to a person living in Prince Albert, instructed them to inform the ministry of when they would receive their payout, so that officials could calculate how long the settlement should last and how long they would be ineligible to receive social assistance benefits.
But the chiefs of the Black Lake and Fond-du-Lac First Nations had already secured assurances from Minister Paul Merriman that the payout was fully exempt from any clawbacks, which was again reaffirmed.
“The decision has been made to fully exempt per capita payments from the Treaty 8 Agricultural Benefit Settlement Agreement from the calculation of income assistance benefits. This applies to the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP), the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) and the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. This exemption applies to members of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation and Fond-du-Lac Denesuline First Nation,” stated Trish Alcorn with the Ministry of Social Services in a statement.
“Unfortunately, that letter was sent to a client in error. As soon as the ministry became aware of the letter, we contacted the client by phone to confirm that the payments are fully exempt, and we followed up with a letter containing the same message.”
A letter to Fond-du-Lac First Nation Chief Louis Mercredi dated July 27 from Social Services confirms the exemption to social assistance clients and that a previous letter sent to a recipient was in error.
The official apologized to Mercredi for the mistake. The ministry is apologizing for any confusion the letter has caused.
Earlier this year, both First Nations settled their agricultural claim with the federal government for a combined $177 million.
The First Nations are expected to begin member payouts in the coming days.
(PHOTO: Map showing the territory ceded under Treaty No. 8 and the Indian tribes therein. Photo courtesy of the Department of Indian Affairs, 1900.)