Empowering youth in and from government care in BC

Am I eligible for the SAJE program income support?

You can apply to the SAJE program if: 

1. You had one of the following legal care statuses on your 19th birthday:
   • Reached your 19th birthday on a Youth Agreement, Continuing Custody Order or under the personal guardianship of a director
   • Achieved permanency between the ages of 12 and 19 (adoption after being in care, or under section 54.1 or 54.01)
   • Had 24 months of cumulative time in care between the ages of 12-19, in any care status excluding 54.1, 54.01 or adoption
   • You were in a comparable arrangement under Indigenous law

AND

you are on one of the following SAJE supports:

1. Unconditional Income Support (UIS) between your 19th and 20th birthday and want to engage in optional programs or activities to pursue life-skills, training and/or cultural connection goals

2. Conditional Income Support (CIS) agreement between your 20th and 27th birthday and you are doing at least one or a combination of the following:
   • Finishing high school
   • Attending college or university
   • Completing a life-skills, cultural, or rehabilitation program
   • Completing a vocational training program

You can work while on a CIS, including self-employment and wage replacement programs, such as EI and WCB. This will not reduce the level of income support you receive!

Sometimes requirements are too demanding to meet. If you need additional flexibility, connect with a SAJE worker or Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSA) worker.

What kind of financial help can I get?

You can get money for:

• Housing
• Living expenses
• Mental health and counselling
• Health care/Dental/Optical
• Life-skills, training, and cultural connections programming
• Childcare top-up

How do I apply for the SAJE program?

To check if you are eligible for the life-skills, training, and cultural connections funding:

Youth and young adults ages 14 to 25 connected to a MCFD worker can receive transition planning support from a SAJE Navigator or SAJE Guide. Also ICFSA workers can help you apply for the income support agreement (UIS or CIS) under the SAJE program.

If you are not connected to an MCFD or ICFSA worker:

1. Fill out the SAJE Eligibility Check Form (If you experience issues opening the form, please email info@agedout.com with subject line SAJE form and we will send it to you in file format)
2. Submit your completed form by email or mail:

• MCF.SAJE@gov.bc.ca
• Ministry of Children and Family Development

PO Box 9784 Station Provincial Government
Victoria, BC V8W 9S5

3. Wait for the SAJE Provincial Support Services in your area to contact you.

Reach out to MCFD’s SAJE Provincial Support Services at 1-866-623-3001 or email MCF.SAJE@gov.bc.ca if you have questions or need help filling out the SAJE Eligibility Check Form.

How long I can receive life-skills, training and cultural connections income support?

• While on a UIS you can receive support between your 19th and 20th birthday

• While on a CIS you can receive support between your 20^th your 27^th birthday

What are life skills, training, and cultural connections programs?

These programs can include activities or learning that help you develop personal goals, skills, knowledge or build connections.

Life skills topics include:

• Identity, Belonging, Community & Cultural Connections
• Parenting & Family Life
• Daily Living & Household Supports
• Money Management
• Education, Employment & Training
• Health & Wellness
• Social Skills

You can connect with your worker to explore activities or programs and they can help you create goals that align with your needs.

Updates to AYA

As of April 4, 2024, the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) transitioned into a legacy program and replaced by the SAJE program.

This means the following:

• No new AYAs will be signed; SAJE income support is now available for life-skills, training, post-secondary and cultural connections programming
• If you are on an AYA now, your existing agreement remains in place
• When your AYA ends, you can transition to a SAJE income support