In response to a number of requests made by readers of the Seniors’ Column concerning what programs and federal governmentbenefits and programs designed for seniors are made available to eligible applicants, my intention is to focus on providing basicinformation on these over the next several weeks.

The senior level of government is most responsible for the planning and delivery of income security programs for seniors. It manages two major public pension (income security) programs through Service Canada. These include the Old Age Security(OAS), which is based on the number of years one has lived in Canada and also Canada Pension Plan (CPP), which is based on theyears of work undertaken in Canada and the amount one has paid into the plan.

According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, OAS is considered “the basic building block of Canada’s retirementincome system.” Older adults build on this foundation along with a CPP pension, other savings including private pension plansand various supplements or subsidies. OAS is a flat monthly benefit which is made available to everyone who applies subject toeligibility including the provision that they are citizens or legal residents of Canada who have lived in this country for a period of10 or more years as an adult (after turning 18).

With ten years of residency one can receive the full OAS entitlement, which at the time of publication of this column, stands at$540 x 12 monthly payments. We are also asked to note that even if an older adult does not meet the residency requirement, theapplicant may still qualify for a pension since Canada has social security agreements currently in place with many othercountries.

There is no requirement levied aimed at stopping one’s working in order to receive OAP. Older adults should take steps to applyfor OAS security benefits six months prior to turning 65 or when they receive the OAS application form, which has beenrequested. If one applies late, they are entitled to receive a maximum of 11 monthly retro payments plus the month in whichthey receive the application provided that all conditions of eligibility are met.

If not born in Canada, or has not lived continuously in this country since age 18, they must submit proof of legal status inCanada such as citizenship or immigration papers. In addition, they must submit a statement of all the dates when they arrivedin Canada and departed from Canada from the age of 18 to the present time.

Applicants may also be asked to put together a complete statement of their travels plus adequate documentation. It isrecognized that producing this degree of documentation represents a challenge for some older immigrants. For assistance weare invited to visit the local BC and Service Canada information office, situated across the road from Arrow and Slocan LakesCommunity Services building on highway 23.

Next week the focus will be the review of the CPP retirement pension including an outline of the three kinds of benefits whichare available upon determining one’s eligibility.