What is SAJE in British Columbia?
SAJE stands for Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment, B.C.’s expanded supports for youth and young adults with care experience. SAJE now provides planning help before 19 (SAJE Navigators), continued guidance into early adulthood (SAJE Guides), and financial/health supports up to your 27th birthday.
Who’s eligible? Young adults 19–26 (up to age 27) with care experience, including those who reached 19 in care, achieved permanency between 12–19, spent 24 months in care between 12–19, or were in a comparable arrangement under Indigenous law.
Why this matters: You can access income, housing, health, and mental health funding, with simple steps to get started and a phone/email team to help.
Get Matched With a Therapist Today
What does the SAJE Mental Health & Counselling Benefit cover?
Short answer: Up to $1,500 per calendar year (Jan–Dec) for counselling and mental health services. Eligible plans include Unconditional/Conditional Income Support, SAJE Support Agreements, SAJE Housing Agreements, and legacy AYA agreements.
Covered providers & services include:
- Regulated professionals: Clinical Counsellors, Psychologists, Social Workers.
- Evidence-informed therapies: e.g., art or music therapy.
- Cultural healing: e.g., time with Elders, sweat lodges, land-based healing.
Not covered (examples): assessments, travel, equipment/supplies, recreational lessons, services provided out of province, or anything funded elsewhere (e.g., MSP).
How many sessions does the $1,500 SAJE benefit cover at Well Beings Counselling?
Short answer: With our rates—30 min = $85, 60 min = $170, 75 min = $255—your SAJE benefit can be planned like this:
30-minute ($85): up to 17 sessions fully covered ($1,445), with $55 remaining.
60-minute ($170): up to 8 sessions fully covered ($1,360), with $140 remaining (often used for a 30-min add-on).
75-minute ($255): up to 5 sessions fully covered ($1,275), with $225 remaining.
Efficient mixes to maximize coverage (each totals $1,445):
8 × 60-min + 1 × 30-min (9 appointments)
5 × 75-min + 1 × 60-min (6 appointments)
3 × 75-min + 4 × 60-min (7 appointments)
Good to know: SAJE pays approved services up to $1,500/year. Once you hit the cap, any additional costs are your responsibility. We’ll flag your balance in advance and direct bill SAJE so you can focus on care, not invoices.
Can Well Beings Counselling direct bill SAJE?
Yes. Once your application is approved, SAJE Provincial Support Services (SPSS) pays your provider directly. Providers invoice SPSS—you don’t pay out-of-pocket for approved services within the $1,500 annual limit (missed appointments aren’t covered). We handle the billing for you.
Who can use the benefit—and what changed with AYA?
If you’re on Unconditional/Conditional Income Support, a SAJE Support/Housing Agreement, or a legacy AYA, you can apply for the Mental Health & Counselling Benefit. As of April 2024, AYA became a legacy program with SAJE replacing it for new applicants. Current AYA participants continue until their agreements end, while SAJE offers broader support and simpler eligibility under one umbrella.
Step-by-step: How to use your SAJE benefit with us
- Book a free consult. Tell us you’re SAJE-eligible.
- Choose your clinician. We’ll match you with an RCC, RSW, or Psychologist, or help coordinate eligible cultural/evidence-informed services.
- Complete the SAJE form. Submit the Request for SAJE Mental Health & Counselling Benefits (online or PDF). We can walk you through it.
- Wait for approval. You and your clinician receive an approval letter confirming details.
- We direct bill SPSS. We invoice SPSS directly; you don’t pay for approved sessions within your yearly limit.
Tip: Don’t pay the provider yourself; missed sessions aren’t covered. Follow your clinician’s cancellation policy to avoid charges.
Quick reference: SAJE Mental Health Benefit at a glance
| Item | Snapshot |
|---|---|
| Amount | $1,500 per calendar year |
| Who | Young adults 19–26 with care experience (up to 27th birthday) |
| Providers | RCCs, Psychologists, Social Workers; art/music therapy; cultural healing |
| Billing | Provider invoices SPSS directly (we handle it) |
| Apply | Submit the SAJE Counselling Benefits form |
Where and how we deliver
We offer in-person therapy at our BC locations and secure online sessions across B.C. Our team uses evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches. We respect privacy and confidentiality.
Get matched with a counsellor
Pareen Sehat MC, RCC
Pareen’s career began in Behaviour Therapy, this is where she developed a passion for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches. Following a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology she pursued a Master of Counselling. Pareen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. She specializes in CBT and Lifespan Integrations approaches to anxiety and trauma. She has been published on major online publications such as - Yahoo, MSN, AskMen, PsychCentral, Best Life Online, and more.
