Empowering youth in and from government care in BC

Am I eligible for the SAJE program?

You are eligible to apply for the SAJE program if you had one of the following legal care statuses:

• 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

What kind of financial help can I get from the SAJE program?

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

What SAJE program supports are available to youth in and from care?

SAJE Housing Agreements (SHA) and SAJE Support Agreements (SSA)

• SHAs and SSAs help young adults between the ages of 19 and 21 maintain their pre-19 housing or help cover living expenses for a maximum of 24 months.
• If you are eligible for or already on a SHA, you can move from a SHA to a SSA at any time between your 19th and 21st birthday.

Unconditional Income Supports (UIS)

• UIS is available to young adults with no requirement to participate in programming for up to 12 months between their 19th and 20th birthdays.
• This means you can receive monthly support to help cover living expenses

Conditional Income Support (CIS) Agreement

The CIS agreement provides monthly financial support to eligible young adults between their 20^th and 27^th birthday.

You can apply for CIS if you are participating in at least one or a combination of the following:

• Finishing high school
• Attending college or university
• Life-skills, cultural, or rehabilitation program
• Vocational training program

You can also work while on a CIS agreement, which will not reduce the income support you receive!

Rent Supplement Program

• The Rent Supplement Program provides $600 monthly assistance to eligible young adults between the ages of 19 and 27 renting in the private market.
• You can receive the rent supplement for up to 2 years or until your 27th birthday, whichever comes first.
• You can receive a rent supplement while on a CIS agreement.

How do I apply for financial supports under the SAJE program?

Youth and young adults aged 14 to 25 connected to an MCFD worker can receive transition planning support from a SAJE Navigator or SAJE Guide. Also Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSA) workers can help you apply for the SAJE program.

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

1. Fill out the SAJE Eligibility Check Form
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.