Provincial Training Allowance Information for Training Centres 2018-19 - www.Saskatchewan.ca
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Provincial Training Allowance Information for Training Centres 2018-19 www.Saskatchewan.ca
Overview
The Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) Information for Training Centres 2018-19 is divided into
three parts:
Part 1: Program Guidelines Provides program eligibility for
PTA as well as the steps
necessary to complete the PTA
Session Approval Request form.
Part 2: Responsibilities for Individuals with Signing Authority Outlines the responsibilities of
the person who has signing
authority for the Training
Centre.
Part 3: Managing the PTA Process Provides information on the PTA
program.
Information in this document may be subject to change.TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1 – PTA PROGRAM GUIDELINES .............................................................................................. 5 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................5 Eligible Program Types ..................................................................................................................................5 Program Criteria - ABE ...................................................................................................................................6 Program Criteria – Skills Training Programs under 12 Weeks (using STA funding) .......................................6 Program Criteria – Workforce Development Initiatives ................................................................................6 Submitting the PTA Session Approval Request Form – ABE and STA ............................................................6 Submitting the PTA Session Approval Request Form – Workforce Development Initiatives ........................7 PART 2 – RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNING AUTHORITY..................................... 8 Definitions .....................................................................................................................................................8 Responsibilities ..............................................................................................................................................8 PART 3 – MANAGING THE PTA PROCESS .......................................................................................... 9 Eligible Programs ...........................................................................................................................................9 Minimum Period Length/Minimum Program Length ....................................................................................9 Maximum Period Length ...............................................................................................................................9 Summer Break ...............................................................................................................................................9 Maximum Duration of PTA ............................................................................................................................9 Course Load ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Attendance ................................................................................................................................................. 10 Discontinuations ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Changing Programs ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Satisfactory Progress .................................................................................................................................. 11 Application Deadlines ................................................................................................................................. 11 Eligibility ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Supplementary Health Benefits and Verification of Family Composition .................................................. 12 Denial of PTA .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Calculating Assessed Need ......................................................................................................................... 14 Steps to Assessing Need ............................................................................................................................. 14 Student Category and Living Situation ....................................................................................................... 14 Single Dependent Student - dependent upon parents ............................................................................. 14 Single Independent Student ...................................................................................................................... 16 Married Student ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Single Parent .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Allowances ................................................................................................................................................. 18 Child Care Allowance ................................................................................................................................. 20 Northern Allowance .................................................................................................................................. 21 Other Allowances ...................................................................................................................................... 22 Security Deposit Form ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 22 Expected Contributions ............................................................................................................................. 23 Income ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Assets ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Parental Contribution ................................................................................................................................ 25 Assessment Results ................................................................................................................................... 26 Consent to Release Information ................................................................................................................ 26 Reassessments........................................................................................................................................... 26 Verification of Income ............................................................................................................................... 27 2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 3
Disbursements ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Overpayments ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Waiving or Deferring Overpayments ......................................................................................................... 30 Rehabilitation of Defaulted Provincial Training Allowance Accounts ....................................................... 31 Appeals ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 File Retention Policy .................................................................................................................................. 32 Reporting False or Misleading Information ............................................................................................... 33 Contact Information .................................................................................................................................. 33 2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 4
PART 1 – PTA PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Introduction
Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) is available to learners in provincially-funded programs. In cases
where an outside organization (ie. ministries which provide federal funding or employers) provides
money to a Training Centre to deliver the program on its behalf, the outside organization is expected to
provide income support.
Training Centres must apply annually to have their programs approved before participants are eligible
for PTA. Participants must be enrolled in the exact program and location that is approved and must
attend between the programs’s approved start and end dates.
PTA participation may be subject to availability of funding. Training Centres are provided with a PTA
Budget allocation for the programs they deliver and are expected to monitor the usage of PTA so they
do not exceed the allocation. The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training provides monthly reports
to assist with monitoring.
Training Centres are responsible for assisting with individual PTA applications and for helping to manage
the PTA during the course of the benefit period. This document will provide Training Centres with
guidance in Part 2 - Responsibilities of Individuals with Signing Authority and Part 3 - Managing the PTA
Process.
These documents, all other forms and the on-line application for PTA are found here: http://www.sa
skatchewan.ca/residents/jobs-working-and-training/job-training-and-financial-support-
programs/provincial-training-allowance
Eligible Program Types
NOTE: Programs delivered on reserve will not be approved for PTA.
The following programs are eligible to receive PTA approval from the Ministry of Immigration and
Career Training:
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and related programs delivered full-time (minimum 20 hours/week) by
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Dumont Technical Institute (DTI), Saskatchewan Indian Institute of
Technologies (SIIT), Lakeland College and Regional Colleges funded through the ABE grant.
Technical Skills Training, less than 12 weeks, that is not student loan eligible, delivered full-time
(minimum 30 hours/week) by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, DTI, SIIT, Lakeland College and Regional
Colleges, and is funded through the Skills Training Allocation (STA). The program beginning and end
dates must include work placements in the overall length of the program if the work placement is a
mandatory part of the program.
Programs delivered by Community Based Organizations and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, DTI, SIIT,
Lakeland College and Regional Colleges under contract with the Ministry of Immigration and Career
Training, Labour Market Services (LMS).
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 5Program Criteria - ABE
ABE programs must help adults to reach one or more of the following goals:
Acquire and develop literacy and numeracy skills;
Acquire academic prerequisites for further education, skills training or employment opportunities;
Increase educational levels for the purpose of self-improvement; and,
Acquire and develop language skills for purposes of living in Saskatchewan.
In addition:
Trainees must receive counseling and assessment and be placed in a program consistent with their
career goals and abilities;
Training must be available full-time (a minimum of 20 hours per week) for ABE programming;
Program must provide a formal statement of achievement and learning outcomes;
Training must have program-qualified instructors; and,
Training must be for Saskatchewan residents 18 years of age and one year out of school. Exceptions
may be made provided approval is received from the appropriate school division official.
For additional information concerning ABE programs, please see the ABE Policy and Procedures Manual
Program Criteria – Skills Training Programs under 12 Weeks (using STA funding)
Skills Training programs must be:
a minimum of 20 training days in length (one full calendar month) to a maximum of 59 days, with a
minimum of 30 hours per week. The program beginning and end dates must include work
placements in the overall length of the program if the work placement is a mandatory part of the
program;
linked to employment;
for unemployed Saskatchewan residents; and,
not part of a full time post-secondary program that leads to a degree or diploma (ie. not student
loan eligible).
For additional information concerning STA, please see the Skills Training Allocation Policy and Procedure
Manual.
Program Criteria – Workforce Development Initiatives
Please contact the local LMS Office.
Submitting the PTA Session Approval Request Form – ABE and STA
For ABE and STA programs delivered by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, DTI, SIIT, Lakeland College and
Regional Colleges, the PTA Session Approval Request Form must be submitted to:
Ministry of Immigration and Career Training
Training and Employer Services Division
Apprenticeship and Workforce Skills Branch
Email: pta@gov.sk.ca
Fax: 306-798-5022
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 6The information required on this form includes:
Session ID (if available)
Program name
Credit or non-credit program
Program description
Funding source for the delivery of each program (ABE or STA)
Location of the program
Start and end dates of the program
Work placements must be included in the length of the program if the work placement is a
mandatory part of the program
Number of contact days and contact hours
Number of PTA seats
The form requires two authorized program officials to approve the program:
1. the PTA Coordinator or person who manages the program for which PTA eligibility is being
requested, and,
2. the senior official at the Training Centre who is responsible for the overall financial management of
the PTA allocation.
Approval requests for all programs must be submitted in advance of PTA student applications (at a
minimum, 30 days prior to the start date).
Changes to program length or dates must be submitted to the Apprenticeship and Workforce Skills
Branch using the same form.
Submitting the PTA Session Approval Request Form – Workforce
Development Initiatives
For programs under contract with LMS, funded through the Workforce Development Initiatives, the
PTA Session Approval Request Form will be completed by the local LMS office.
The information required on this form is:
Session ID (if available)
Program name
Delivery Agency name and address
Location of the project
Project Contact name and phone number
Project category (WFD, WFD-PD, Immigration)
Contract number
Program Duration
Number of Training Days
Number of PTA seats per session
Labour Market Services Region and office location
The form requires two authorized officials to recommend and approve the program for PTA:
1. the LMS Contract Manager; and,
2. the Regional Director who is responsible for overall management of PTA.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 7PART 2 – RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNING AUTHORITY
Definitions
“applicant” means an applicant for a training allowance and includes an applicant that receives a
training allowance;
“program” means a program that has been approved under the Training Allowance Regulations;
“regulations” means the Training Allowance Regulations;
“training allowance” means a training allowance under the Training Allowance Regulations; and “signing
authority” means the authority to sign PTA forms on behalf of the Training Center.
Responsibilities
Individuals with signing authority shall carry out the following functions, including but not restricted to:
1. informing applicants about their potential benefits and obligations under the regulations and the
criteria as outlined in Part 3 of this document;
2. assisting applicants to complete applications for training allowances including all releases,
declarations and agreements that maybe required;
3. completing the program information form confirming enrolment of the applicant;
4. explaining to applicants how their individual training allowances are calculated;
5. taking reasonable care to ensure that applications are completed accurately;
6. forwarding applications in a timely manner to the Student Service Centre;
7. informing the Student Service Centre of changes in an applicant’s circumstances;
8. informing the Student Service Centre immediately when an applicant has not attended the first day
of the program or has stopped attending or has completed the program;
9. confirming continuation of enrolment each month the training allowance is paid for all applicants
enrolled in programs by returning the monthly report to the Student Service Centre within time-
lines requested each month; and
10. collecting and forwarding to the Student Service Centre pay stubs or statements of gross income
and obtaining declarations from applicants and spouses respecting gross income where receipts,
stubs or statements are not available.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 8PART 3 – MANAGING THE PTA PROCESS
Eligible Programs
PTA is available for provincially funded ABE, Skills Training (less than 12 weeks) programs which are not
approved for student loan funding, and Workforce Development programs delivered by LMS. Part 1 of
this document provides information about program eligibility and the Session Approval process.
Minimum Period Length/Minimum Program Length
PTA will not be issued for programs of less than one month in length. One month is defined as four
weeks or 20 training days in a 28 calendar day period.
Maximum Period Length
Learners will be funded for the duration of the program, to a maximum of 12 months on each
application in an academic year. Learners in on-going programs will be required to re-apply each
academic year.
Extensions to the study period may be allowed for up to six weeks provided the entire study period,
including the additional six weeks, does not exceed 12 months. The training centre may submit a
Program Information form stating the extension date to the Student Service Centre. If the extension is
six weeks or more, the training centre must complete a new Program Information Form and the learner
will be required to submit a new application. The entire program session, including the extended
period, must be approved by the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.
A learner enrolled in a training program, which includes short breaks (i.e. Christmas, Easter) may receive
PTA funding during the break(s).
Learners enrolled in programs which include a work placement or practicum will be funded to the end
of the placement, if it is part of the approved program.
Summer Break
Learners will not be provided with funding during the summer break (July and August).
Please ensure that learners understand that they must make every effort to obtain employment during
this period. Learners should be encouraged to visit the nearest LMS office or they may visit the on-line
resources at: www.saskjobs.ca
Maximum Duration of PTA
PTA is available for qualifying learners as long as they are making satisfactory progress. The expectation
for learners in ABE programs is to complete all training within 36 months.
Learners who have received PTA for 36 months or more (prior to their new program start date) will be
advised that they are not eligible for additional funding. They must contact their Training Centre to
discuss continued eligibility.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 9Training Centres will be required to review the learner’s progress, and if satisfactory, submit the “PTA
Beyond 3 Years” form to the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training at pta@gov.sk.ca
recommending that the learner continue in the program. The Ministry of Immigration and Career
Training will then approve/not approve the continuation of PTA beyond 36 months. The questions on
the form require thorough answers to avoid unnecessary delays.
Course Load
Learners must be enrolled full-time in their program of study. PTA is not available for part-time study.
Full-time means a minimum of 20 hours per week for ABE programs and 30 hours per week for Skills
Training programs.
Attendance
Learners must maintain satisfactory attendance. The learner’s attendance should not drop below
90 per cent of their full-time course load, in any two calendar months (unless due to medical reasons).
Failure to do so will result in discontinuation.
If the learner is unable to attend due to medical reasons, the medical leave cannot exceed three
consecutive weeks (21 calendar days). The learner must provide the training centre with medical
documentation.
Discontinuations
Training Centres must advise the Student Service Centre immediately if a learner withdraws or is
discontinued from the program. The withdrawal/discontinuation date is the last date the learner
attended the training centre. PTA continues only to the end of the month in which the learner
withdraws or is discontinued from the program.
If the learner is unable to attend classes for more than three consecutive weeks (21 calendar days) even
if due to documented medical reasons, PTA must be discontinued. The discontinuation date is the last
date the learner actually attended the training centre.
Training centres must report discontinuations using the “Notification of Discontinuation” form.
Discontinuations reported in error may be reinstated within 21 days of the discontinuation. The “PTA
Reinstatement” form is available for this purpose.
Changing Programs
Learners will be allowed to change programs without having their PTA discontinued in the following
situations:
the new program is in the same institution and at the same location as the original program;
the new program is approved for PTA;
the period of study start date does not change; and,
the period of study end date does not change by more than five weeks.
When a learner changes programs a reassessment will be done to correct the program information.
These changes should be reported on the “PTA Change of Information” form. This would include a
change in location with the same training centre.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 10Learners changing Training Centres will be discontinued and required to submit a new PTA application
for the new institution.
If a PTA learner completes/discontinues a program (i.e. 20-Dec-2018) and then applies for another
program that begins in the following month (i.e. 10-Jan-2019), there should be no break in funding. The
learner will be funded from the beginning of the month that the new program begins. The application
for the second program must be received in a timely manner (at least 14 days before the original
course end date) to ensure processing is done before the new program start date.
Satisfactory Progress
PTA will provide income support for qualifying learners as long as they are making satisfactory progress.
The Training Centre determines when it is appropriate to discontinue a learner from a program. Refer
to the section above, Maximum Duration of PTA.
Application Deadlines
A learner may apply for PTA at any time after they are accepted into a program until 14 business days
prior to the program end date. This should not be interpreted as allowing someone to collect PTA for
the last 14 days of the program. This is to accommodate special circumstances (ie. when a learner at the
outset of the program thought PTA was not needed, or when there was incomplete information or
temporary hold of funds). Applications and reassessments may take up to 14 business days to process.
Funding will not be provided for applications or reassessments processed unless they are received at
least 14 business days prior to the program end date.
Applications can be processed within two business days if the learner applies using the PTA on-line
application and the learner submits completed authorizations, consents and agreements, and if the
Training Centre provides the Program Information Form.
New learners who are transitioning from the Ministry of Social Services must have their application into
the Student Service Centre at least 14 business days prior to the 15th of the month in order to ensure
they will receive PTA funding for the following month. If the application is not processed by this
deadline the learner will remain on Social Assistance until the next month.
Applications (and reassessment documentation) may be faxed to the Student Service Centre at 306-
787-0760 in situations where the deadline may be an issue.
Eligibility
A learner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a protected person. If the learner is in
Canada as a protected person, a copy of their Notice of Decision or Verification of Status must be
attached to the application.
Note: Permanent Residents (formerly known as Landed Immigrants) who are sponsored by individuals
or organizations are not eligible for financial assistance for the term of the sponsorship. Sponsors are
responsible for supporting the Permanent Resident financially when he or she arrives for the term of
the sponsorship. Learners should not apply for PTA during the term of the sponsorship.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 11Learners must have a valid social insurance number (SIN). Protected persons must have a temporary SIN to have their application processed (the temporary SIN begins with “9”). SINs will be verified directly with the Canada Revenue Agency. Learners are no longer required to provide a copy of their SIN card with their PTA application. A learner must be a Saskatchewan resident which is defined as being registered with Saskatchewan Health. Learners must have a valid Saskatchewan Health Services Number (HSN). If the learner has recently moved to Saskatchewan, either as a returning resident or as a new resident, PTA is not available until health coverage is in place. Processing of PTA will not be initiated until the learner provides a HSN and SIN. Supplementary Health Benefits and Verification of Family Composition Each learner, spouse and dependent child declared on the PTA application will be nominated for supplementary health benefits through the Ministry of Health. The nomination for supplementary health benefits is made when the learner qualifies for PTA. Dependents not listed on the Saskatchewan Health record will not be nominated for supplementary health benefits and will not be included in the PTA assessment. For PTA purposes, the spouse and dependents must be on the learner’s health record as a family unit to receive supplementary health benefits. Otherwise there will be a “mismatch” and supplementary health benefits will be delayed. Learners who are “protected persons” are not eligible for supplementary health benefits until they become permanent residents or Canadian citizens. However, they are eligible for basic health coverage and they are issued a Saskatchewan HSN. Learners should ensure that the family unit they are declaring on their PTA application (or when requesting a reassessment), matches the family unit at the Ministry of Health. Prior to completing and submitting a PTA application, please instruct each learner to contact the Ministry of Health at 1-800-667-7551 or 306-787-3251 (Regina area), to verify their family composition on the health registry file. This will significantly reduce/eliminate the “family mismatches” and subsequent delays in PTA funding and supplementary health coverage. To make changes to family composition, the most efficient method for learners to request updates to their family unit at the provincial health registry is by electronic submission. They can submit the changes and check the status of their request electronically. They can also receive emails advising the result of their submission of changes. Once the request is successfully processed by Health Registries, learners can be re-nominated for supplementary coverage. To submit electronic changes to the family unit, learners may go to https://skhealthcard.health.gov.sk.ca/ and either “Create an Account” or “Sign-In” (if they already have an account). 2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 12
Once the electronic submission has been processed successfully by the Ministry of Health, the learner
or the PTA counselor should advise the Student Service Centre by calling 1-800-597-8278.
The re-nomination will be submitted for supplementary health coverage. If the learner cannot or does
not wish to submit an electronic change, the following are alternate options:
1. Download the Change to Family Unit Form https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-
cards/Documents/Change_to_Family_Unit_Form.pdf and mail, fax or email to:
eHealth Saskatchewan Health Registries
2130 11th Avenue
Regina, SK S4P 0J5
Email: change@ehealthsask.ca Fax: 306-787-8951
2. Phone Health Registries at 1-800-667-7551 or 306-787-3251 (Regina area) and request that a
“Change to Family Unit” form be mailed out.
In cases of family mismatch, learners and their families will not have supplementary health coverage
until the discrepancy is corrected. The Student Service Centre will send a letter to any learner whose
supplementary health coverage is rejected for this reason. It is the learner’s responsibility to contact the
Ministry of Health to correct their family information or to contact the Student Service Centre to correct
the information on the PTA application. If the discrepancy is not resolved within 30 days of the date of
the letter, the PTA payments will be suspended. If not resolved by end of program, all funding received
will be considered an overpayment. The PTA will be reassessed when the discrepancy is resolved.
In cases where the learner does not have a valid HSN the supplementary health coverage will not be
provided. The Student Service Centre will also send a letter to learners whose supplementary health
coverage is rejected for this reason. If the issue is not resolved within 30 days of the date of the letter,
the PTA payments will be cancelled and all funding received will be considered an overpayment. The
PTA will be reviewed when the issue is resolved.
The Ministry of Health (Supplementary Health) inquiry line is 1-800-667-7551. Once the correction has
been made, the Student Service Centre must be notified so the family can be re-nominated for health
coverage and the PTA application can be reassessed, where applicable.
If a HSN is not provided for each family member, supplementary health coverage may be delayed or
rejected for the entire family. Newborn children automatically receive health coverage with the same
expiry date as the birth mother. The Student Service Centre should be notified as soon as the health
number is available for the child.
If the dependent is over 18, contact the Student Service Centre to obtain information on the process for
supplementary coverage for those dependents.
In the event that a learner does not have supplementary health coverage in place and pays for
prescription drugs etc., they must retain their original receipts. Once coverage has been provided, they
may be able to submit the receipts to Saskatchewan Health for reimbursement.
Questions should be directed to the Student Service Centre at 1-800-597-8278.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 13Denial of PTA
Learners who have provided false or misleading information or who have not complied with an audit
request may be denied further funding.
Learners who are returning to school and who have defaulted on repaying PTA overpayments will not
be eligible for additional PTA funding without prior approval. Learners should be advised to call the
Ministry of Immigration and Career Training at 1-844-213-1030.
The “Rehabilitation of Defaulted PTA Accounts” policy is outlined later in this document.
Learners receiving PTA are not eligible for student loans for the same period they are receiving PTA.
Student loan restrictions do not affect PTA eligibility.
Calculating Assessed Need
Assessed need is used to determine the amount that a PTA learner will be awarded. To calculate the
assessed need, the total assessed resources are subtracted from the total assessed costs.
If the figure is negative, the learner is considered to have sufficient resources to finance his/her own
living costs and does not qualify for PTA.
If the figure is positive, then the application qualifies for PTA.
Steps to Assessing Need
1. Identify learner category and living situation
2. Assess the living costs
3. Determine the resources available
4. Calculate need by subtracting resources from costs and determine which flat rates apply
Student Category and Living Situation
Single Dependent Student - dependent upon parents
Dependent Students are defined as learners who:
have never been married; and
have never been single parents; and
are pursuing a program within four years (48 months) of leaving elementary or high school; or
have not been in the labour force full-time for two years. The two years need not be consecutive;
however, each year must be a period of 12 consecutive months. “In the labour force” means that
during any two periods of 12 consecutive months preceding the date of application, the learner was
either working or actively seeking employment and was not a full-time learner at an elementary,
secondary, ABE or post-secondary institution.
Parents of dependent students include biological parents, step parents, legal guardians or sponsors.
Parents are expected to contribute toward the learner’s costs based on combined income (in a two-
parent family) and family size.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 14For parents who are separated/divorced, the learner will be considered dependent upon the parent from whom the learner receives the most financial support. For parents who have remarried or are living common-law, the learner will be considered dependent upon the biological parent and step-parent where the step-parent has legally adopted the learner. Step-parents should be encouraged to complete the application, regardless of when they married. If the step-parent has not legally adopted the learner and is not willing to complete the application, the biological parent should complete the application using their marital status, and dates of marital status which applied prior to the beginning of the relationship with the step-parent; they should submit a letter with the application explaining their situation and why they are not declaring their current marital status. For legal guardians the above rules apply. Learners who are sponsored permanent residents and do not meet the criteria for independence, will be considered dependent upon the sponsor and should not apply for PTA. If the dependent learner is not sponsored, the parents must complete the application even if the parents are in a different country. The dependent learner is expected to live at home with his/her parents if the parents live in the same community as the training centre. The parents will be expected to contribute if their income is adequate (see resource section) unless there is a family breakdown. The Ministry of Social Services has indicated that the family’s Social Assistance Benefits (if the parents’ income is Social Assistance Benefits) will not be reduced when the PTA learner (who lives with the parents) receives funding from PTA. Family breakdown has to be beyond the normal disagreements between parents and children. The breakdown would have resulted in the learner leaving the family home or having been removed from the family home by a social service agency. Circumstances that are beyond normal disagreements include sexual, physical or psychological abuse of the learner by one or both parents. The learner must provide proof of the family breakdown by providing a letter from a third party (preferably a professional i.e. clergy, physician, counsellor, caseworker, etc.) outlining their knowledge of the breakdown, reasons for the breakdown, date the learner left (or was removed from) the home. Learners will be considered independent of their parents if the family breakdown is proven. Determination of dependency takes place on the date the learner applies for funding. Changes in student category can occur after the initial assessment, and adjustments will be made to the PTA funding if applicable. Dependence/independence is based on the answers the learner gives to the questions asked on the application as well as the date the learner left secondary school. Parental information is required if the learner does not answer “yes” to one or more of the questions under the “Eligible Students Without Dependents” section of the application. The “at home” living allowance (see cost allowances section) is provided if the dependent student’s program is taking place in the same community as the parent’s home regardless of whether the 2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 15
learner states they are living away from their parents.
If there is a family breakdown or other extenuating circumstances, the “living away from home”
allowance may be provided. Extenuating circumstances could include low parental income, limited
living space or other circumstances deemed extenuating by the appeal process.
The “living away from home” allowance is provided if the Training Centre is more than 25kms from
the parents’ home.
Changes in the learner’s living situation (i.e. home to away, if parents move, etc.) will be considered a
change and allowances will be adjusted.
Single Independent Student
Single Independent students are learners who:
have no parent, guardian, sponsor, or other supporting relative due to death or disappearance;
have never been married or are separated, divorced or widowed;
are not single parents;
have been out of elementary or high school for at least four years (48 months); or
have been in the labour force full-time for two years (the two years need not be consecutive;
however, each year must be a period of 12 consecutive months). In the labour force means that
during any two periods of 12 consecutive months preceding the date of application, the learner
was either working or actively seeking employment, and was not a full-time student at an
elementary, secondary, ABE or post-secondary institution;
are married/common-law but whose spouse does not reside in Saskatchewan.
Learners identified as “Single Independent” are considered to be financially independent of their
parents and guardians; only the applicant’s resources are considered.
Determination of independence takes place on the date the learner applies for funding.
Changes in student category (i.e. independent to married or single parent) can occur after the initial
assessment, and adjustments will be made to the PTA funding if applicable.
The independent student is provided with the “at home” living allowance (see cost allowances
section) if they indicate they live with their parents. The “living away from home” allowance (see cost
allowances section) will be provided if the learner indicates s/he does not live at home.
Independent Students will receive the “living away from home” allowance when they indicate they
are living away from home. If they are paying their parents rent or room and board, they will be
required to advise the Student Service Centre of the situation and they will be allowed the “living
away from home” allowance.
Independent Students are not required to live with their parents even if the program is in the same
centre as their parents’ home.
Changes in the learner’s living situation (i.e. “at home” to “away from home” or vice versa) will be
considered a change, and allowances will be adjusted.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 16Learners who are in a halfway house and who are attending training may receive PTA to assist with
the costs of attending school. The “at home” allowance will be provided. These learners should attach
a letter advising the Student Service Centre of the term of their sentence.
Married Student
Learners identified as married are either legally married or in a common-law relationship. The learner
is considered married (including same sex couples) if they have a spouse which is defined as follows:
Spouse means:
a) the legal spouse of the learner; or
b) if the learner does not have a legal spouse or is living separate and apart from his or her legal
spouse, another individual who:
lives with the learner for a period of not less than three consecutive months preceding the
start date of the program for which the learner is applying for PTA; or
lives with the learner and represents himself or herself as the spouse of the learner or as the
parent of a child of the learner; or
lives with the learner and is a parent of a child of the learner; or
lives with the learner and for any purpose identifies the learner or a child of the learner as his
or her dependent.
Please note: If the learner is married/common-law, but the spouse does not reside in Saskatchewan,
s/he is considered a single independent student.
The needs assessment of learners who are identified as married assumes a financial contribution from
the spouse. The unwillingness of the spouse to assume financial responsibility for the learner does not
affect the learner’s category as married.
Married learners are expected to live with their spouse in Saskatchewan during their program. For
married learners who are required to move from their spouse/family to attend training, a “living away
from home” allowance will also be provided.
The “living away from home” allowance is provided if the Training Centre is more than 25kms from
the spouse/family home. Learners are asked on the application form if they live with their spouse or
away from their spouse, and they must provide the distance from the Training Centre to their family
home.
If the learner’s spouse is incarcerated, s/he should apply as married and the spouse should complete
Section 2 of the application. The learner would indicate that s/he is living away from the spouse. They
should not indicate the distance from the Training Centre to the Correctional Centre where the spouse
is incarcerated. Married student allowances will be provided.
In situations where married/common I law couples are both applying for PTA, for the same academic
period, the PTA funding start date will be adjusted to ensure PTA funding as a married couple is split
correctly and overpayments are not created.
If changes in marital status (i.e. married to separated, divorced or widowed) occur after the initial
assessment, allowances will be adjusted.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 17Single Parent
Learners identified as single parent student are learners who:
have never married; or
who are separated, divorced or widowed from a spouse; and
who have care, control and financial responsibility for support of child(ren).
If changes in status or living situation (i.e. single parent to married or loss of custody of child(ren) occur
after the initial assessment, allowances will be adjusted.
Allowances
Each learner will be provided with the standard monthly living allowances based on their category and
living situation. Allowances for tuition, books and school supplies are not provided through PTA. PTA
basic allowances are intended to cover the costs of rent, utilities, food, clothing, personal and
household items and local transportation.
“Living away from home” allowance is provided if the Training Centre is more than 25kms from the
parents’/spouse/family home.
Effective June 1, 2014, the allowances are as follows:
Single Independent or Dependent Student away from home (away from parents) - $744
Single Independent or Dependent Student at home (with parents) - $442 per month
Married Student (no children) - $1,251 per month
If both people are learners receiving PTA - $1,304 per month (divided equally between each
learner). For married learners who are required to move from their spouse/family to attend
training, a “living away from home” allowance of $432 will also be provided (in addition to the
monthly allowance).
Single Parent living away from parents or with parents - $1,037 per month (additional allowance is
provided for each child)
Child Allowance - $145 per month per child (In addition, learners with full-time dependents will be
able to provide for their children using the income from Canada Child Tax Benefits (CCTB) including
the Saskatchewan Child Benefit/National Child Benefit Supplement.)
Learners can advise the Student Service Centre if they are not receiving the maximum CCTB and the
child allowance will be increased to $270 a month per child. If the learner does not receive the full CCTB
they should provide the Student Service Centre with the statement they receive from the federal
government outlining their child benefits (CCTB Statement).
Learners who do not receive the full CCTB due to changes in circumstances or failing to file their income
tax returns can have their PTA adjusted. The $270 a month per child will be allowed in the PTA
assessment for a three- month period to allow the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) time to process the
change or income tax return. Learners will receive a retroactive payment from the CRA when the child
benefits are processed. PTA will consider the $145 a month per child paid through the PTA an
overpayment when the retroactive lump sum payment is received from the CRA. Learners will be
advised to budget the child benefit lump sum payment to make up for the deduction of the PTA
overpayment. If this is the case, learners must provide the Student Service Centre with proof they have
applied for the child benefit or filed their tax return.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 18The child allowance will be provided for each dependent child less than 18 years of age who live with
the learner full time (at least 50 per cent of the time) and who is included on the learner’s
Saskatchewan Health Services record.
For PTA purposes, the spouse and dependents must be on the learner’s health record as a family unit
to receive supplementary health benefits. Otherwise there will be a “mismatch” and supplementary
health benefits will be delayed. Dependents not listed on Saskatchewan Health record will not be
provided with supplementary health benefits.
Those learners classified as foster parents or “persons of sufficient interest” (where the children are
included on the learner’s Saskatchewan Health Services record) must declare the children as
Dependents. The associated foster care or “sufficient interest” income must be declared as “other
income”.
If the dependent is not listed on the Saskatchewan Health record but lives with the learner at least
50 per cent of the time (15 days per month), the dependent may be included (for the child allowance)
if the following proof of full-time custody is provided:
Income tax return from the previous tax year claiming the dependent(s), or
CCTB statement showing the dependent(s), or
legal custody agreement outlining custody of the dependent(s), or
Statutory declaration with third-party declaration of full-time custody, or
a letter or statement from the Ministry of Social Services confirming full time custody of children
who have been living with the learner full time for a long period of time (i.e. one year). Note: if
this is the case, the learner must also declare the foster care, sufficient interest income as “other
income”.
Dependents between 18 and 19 years of age may be included (for the child allowance) if they are a
child of the learner and they:
are living with the learner, and
are attending high school, and
have never been married, and,
do not have dependent children of their own.
If the dependent is over 19, but under 21, and is still in high school, they may be included on a review
basis. Older dependents may be included up to and including the month of their 21st birthday.
If the dependent child lives with the learner 14 days or less, prorated allowances will be provided for
the number of days the child is living with the learner.
Learners who do not have full custody of their children will receive $257 pro-rated to the number of
days that the child resides with them, as it is assumed that the learner will not receive the child
benefits for the child they only have part time. This pro-rated allowance is intended to assist with the
costs of supporting the child part time including the cost of child care during the time the child is with
the learner.
2018-19 PTA Information for Training Centres 19Child Care Allowance
A flat rate child care allowance will be provided for all full time dependent children under the age of 12
years (up to and including the month of their 12th birthday) if required.
The learner will declare whether or not they require child care and whether or not the child care is
subsidized for each child under 12.
Learners will not be required to verify this information. The Student Service Centre will verify the
information directly with the Ministry of Social Services to confirm which learners do, or do not have
their children in subsidized child care.
Child care expenses are allowed for any children under 12 who have been declared as full-time
dependents on the PTA application. The chart below shows the parent portion (which PTA would cover)
for subsidized daycare and unsubsidized daycare. Full-time child care allowances for children living with
the applicant and listed on the applicant’s Health Services Record are as follows:
Number of Children Subsidized Unsubsidized
1 $85 $400
2 $170 $540
3 $255 $680
4 or more $340 $820
The child care maximum will not exceed the unsubsidized maximums for the total number of
dependents the learner has (aged 11 and under) who require child care. This means that if they have
some children in subsidized and some in unsubsidized, the maximum allowance available is the
unsubsidized maximum for the number of children who need child care (no more than $820 per month
for four or more children).
The flat rate for full-time child care is provided where the learner requires child care for each day they
are attending school, regardless of the length of time child care is required (i.e. all day vs. before and
after elementary school).
A $20 per day incidental daily rate (up to maximums outlined below) may be allowed for subsidized day-
care, on a review basis for children declared as full-time dependents on the PTA application for the
following reasons:
regular incidental child care (two full days per week or two after school days per week);
child care for school age children for professional development days and school breaks of less than
two weeks;
child care for school age children who are ill and cannot attend classes;
child care for pre-school age children who are ill and cannot attend their regular child care facility;
or
child care for children while unemployed spouse is looking for work.
2017-18 PTA Information for Training Centres 20The maximum incidental amounts per month are: $200 for one child; $270 for two children; $340 for three children; and, $410 for four or more children. Learners must request an appeal in writing and indicate the number of days these incidental expenses are required along with the reason for the request. Incidental child care will not be allowed for children while the learner is working part-time outside of program hours. Child care will only be allowed for those children living with the learner full time (15 days or more of the month). There will be no child care allowance provided for children living with the learner part time (14 days or less in the month). Appeals may be submitted for learners who are required to pay more for child care for a child with a disability or learners who have some children in subsidized child care and some children in unsubsidized child care. Learners with children in both subsidized and unsubsidized child care must submit proof that they are not able to use subsidized child care for all the children. Receipts will be required for appeal cases. Child care will not be allowed if the spouse is not working unless there are exceptional reasons why the spouse cannot care for the children. The spouse will be asked about their activity on the application form and if they are not working or attending school, the child care allowance will not be included in the assessment. If there are exceptional reasons why the spouse cannot care for the children, the learner must outline their circumstances in a letter of appeal. If the reasons are medical, an “Attending Physicians Statement” will be required where the physician indicates the spouse is not able to care for the children. The child care allowance will be split equally between both parents if both are receiving PTA. Both parents should indicate that they require child care on the PTA application (either subsidized or unsubsidized) and the allowance will be split between the two. If the spouse of a PTA learner is receiving student loans, only the PTA learner should request the child care allowance. For learners who begin their programs at the end of one month (i.e. August) and are not scheduled to receive PTA until the following month (i.e. September), due to receipt of funding from Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) or Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA), the child care they are required to pay for the previous month (i.e. August) will be added to the first month of PTA funding. These learners should submit a change of information form stating the amount of child care they are required to pay for the previous month. 2017-18 PTA Information for Training Centres 21
Northern Allowance
An additional $50 per month per person in the family (i.e. the learner, spouse and each dependent
child) is provided for PTA learners while in a program in training in any of the following northern
communities:
Air Ronge Barthel Beauval Beaver Lake
Black Point Black Lake Brabant Lake Buffalo Narrows
CamsellPortage Canoe Narrows Cluff LakeMine Cole Bay
Collins Bay Cree Lake Creighton CumberlandHouse
Denare Beach Deschambault Lake Descharme Lake Dillon
Dipper Lake Dore Lake Dorintosh Elak Dase
Eldorado Fond Du Lac Garson Lake Goodsoil
Grandmother’s Bay Green Lake Ile a la Crosse Jan Lake
Jans Bay Key Lake Key Lake Mine Kinoosao
La Loche La Ronge Landing Loon Lake
Makwa McLennan Lake Meadow Lake Michel
Missinipe Molanosa Montreal Lake Neeb
Patuanak Peerless PelicanNarrows Pemmican Portage
Pierceland Pinehouse Lake Point North Landing Primeau Lake
Rabbit Lake Mine Rapidview Sandy Bay Sled Lake
Southend St. George’s Hill StanleyMission Stoney Lake
Stony Rapids Sturgeon Landing Sucker River Timber Bay
Turnor Lake Uranium City Waterhen Lake Waterloo Lake
Weyakwin Whelan Wollaston Lake
Eligibility for this allowance is based on the location of the Training Centre.
Other Allowances
A learner who requires additional funding for a one-time only expense (i.e. travel costs for funerals,
etc.) or on- going top ups should call the Ministry of Social Services Contact Centre at 1-866-221-5200.
Learners who require on-going top ups for the following reasons should contact the Ministry of Social
Services Contact Centre (1-866-221-5200):
higher than average monthly utility bills;
large families with four or more children;
other exceptional circumstances; or,
Refer to the Appeals section for further information.
Security Deposit Form
For PTA learners who require a Security Deposit Form, they must obtain this form from their
Educational Institution.
This form must be completed by the Landlord and the learner and faxed directly to:
306-787-3200 Attention: Cherie Gamble.
For further information regarding the Security Deposit Form please contact Social Services at:
1-888-567-7243 (extension #2, then #2 again).
2017-18 PTA Information for Training Centres 22You can also read
