If you receive a cheque from the Ministry of Social Services, you need to pick it up in person.

The Ministry issued a statement indicating that although Canada Post has resumed service, due to the backlog of mail, the government has made the decision to continue with in-person pick-up of benefit cheques at local service centres across the province. They say this is to ensure there is no delay for ministry clients.

The Ministry says while the majority of benefit payments occur at the end of each month and are done through direct deposit, some clients and caregivers receive their benefit by cheque.

Starting on Friday, December 27, monthly benefit cheques for January will be available in person at local service centres for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS), Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID), Saskatchewan Housing Benefit (SHB), and Child and Family Programs payments to youth. These cheques usually arrive by mail before the end of every month.

Starting on Tuesday, January 7, cheques from Child and Family Programs will be available for caregivers to pick up in person. These cheques usually arrive by mail in the first week of the month to cover costs of childcare from the previous month.

Pick up is available during regular business hours at local service centres across the province.