The Guaranteed Income Supplement (a benefit for seniors) provides a few extra sources of income on top of the Old Age Security Pension. Itis for eligible low-income seniors who live in Canada, and you must apply to receive it.
This benefit will be renewed automatically each year as long as you remain eligible and have filed your annual income tax return by thedeadline April 30. If you do not file it on time, or if further information is required, you will receive a renewal form in the mail.
Note that GIS is based on your annual income or the combined income of you and your spouse or common-law partner. Since your annualincome may change from year to year, you must provide a statement of your income each year by completing and an application form orelse by filing y our income tax return by the April 30 deadline.
For more details contact Service Canada’s toll-free number at 1-800-277-9914. Funds come from the Ministry of Social Development andSocial Innovation.
Regarding further assistance for seniors aged 65 and over who are not receiving the Old Age Security Pension, you may be eligible forincome assistance from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. Eligibility is based on your income, assets and sheltercosts. For further information, call toll-free, 1-866-866-0800 (press 3).
Next on the list, is termed Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor and is another key financial benefit. If your spouse or common-lawpartner passes away and you are aged 60-64 years and are living on a low income, a benefit called the Allowance for the Survivor may beavailable, according to eligibility, until you reach the age of 65.
You must apply to receive the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor. Whether you are a new applicant or already receive thesebenefits, they will be renewed automatically each year as long as you remain eligible and you file your income tax return on time (April 30).
If you do not file your return on time or if further information is required, you will receive a renewal form in the mail.
Since the amount of your income can change from year to year, it is wise to file your income tax package on time, as already mentioned. Formore information, call toll-free 1-800-277-9914 (Service Canada).
Last on today’s list of financial benefits intended for older citizens, is termed “The Senior’s Supplement.” It is a monthly payment for low-income seniors who are receiving the federal Old Age Guaranteed Income Supplement or federal Allowances. If the income level of aneligible senior falls below that which is guaranteed by the province, this supplement is intended to make up the difference. Seniors do nothave to apply to receive it.
For more details, contact the Seniors’ Supplement call centre at 1-866-866-0800 (toll free).
^
Free and confidential personal assistance is offered adults of any age who are living on a low to medium level income. A local team ofvolunteers who have been trained by Canada Revenue are available to complete and file your computerized income tax package forindividuals (not businesses) as long as your return is straightforward They invite you to contact any one of the following experiencedpersons for further details. Each are part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program team (CVITP) which has been in operation llocally for the past fourteen years. Heather Davidson, 265-3372; Debi Bleakney, 269-7570 or Dianne Zeuch, 265-4298.
