The Government of Canada provides grants for seniors that help ensure they continue receiving income during their later years. These grants also aim to address various needs of low-income seniors in the country, from housing support to healthcare expenses, etc.
Among the Canadian government benefits provided to seniors are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), etc.
In this blog post, I discuss the different Canadian government grants for seniors, the government benefits for seniors by province, and the Canadian federal government pensions for seniors.
What Grants and Benefits Are Available for Senior Citizens in Canada?
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Launched in 2022, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program for eligible seniors in Canada aged 65 and over. To qualify for this grant, you must meet the following requirements:
- No access to dental insurance
- A Canadian resident
- An adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
- Have filed your income tax return in the previous year
The services that this plan covers include preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal, and oral surgery. The CDCP will reimburse a percentage of the cost, which will be based on your adjusted family net income and the established CDCP fees.
Allowance Payments
If you’re a senior aged 60-64, you may qualify for the Allowance benefit. Your spouse or partner must be eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and your family income must be below $39,984. The maximum monthly payment is $1,354.69.
You must apply for the Allowance 6-11 months before you turn 60. Apply as soon as possible if you’re already 60-64 years old. When your spouse or partner passes away, you’ll automatically receive the Allowance for the Survivor.
GST/HST Credit
The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment provided to individuals and families with low and modest incomes. The amount helps them offset the GST or HST they pay.
To be eligible for this credit, your family’s net income must be less than $52,255 if you’re single or $55,335 for a couple. For 2024, the GST/HST credits for a single person and a couple are $496 and $650, respectively.
Grants for Seniors to Stay in Their Homes
These grants help seniors stay in their homes in old age.
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program
The Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program allows seniors to use their home equity for home adaptations or renovations that improve mobility and accessibility, helping them stay in their homes longer. The maximum loan amount is $40,000.
Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) Program
This is a grant available to seniors who need financial assistance for home repairs to ensure their homes remain safe and comfortable. It offers up to $20,000 to help eligible low-income seniors requiring renovations or modifications to improve home accessibility.
Canadian Government Grants for Seniors for Home Repairs
These government grants can be used for home renovations and repairs.
British Columbia Home Renovation Tax Credit
This grant provides assistance to eligible seniors aged 65 and over to help with the cost of certain permanent home modifications that improve functionality and accessibility at home. To qualify, you must be a resident of BC and a senior, or a family member living with a senior.
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP)
The RRAP is a national program aimed at helping low-income seniors obtain the funds they need for home repairs, renovations and modifications. The financial assistance may come as non-repayable contributions or forgivable loans.
Provincial Government Benefits for Seniors
These provincial seniors benefits are worth checking out.
Alberta Seniors Benefit
This provides qualified low-income seniors with financial assistance with their monthly living costs. To qualify, you must be a Canadian resident or citizen aged 65 or older, have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months before your application, and meet the financial eligibility criteria.
British Columbia Seniors Supplement
If you’re a low-income senior residing permanently in BC and presently receiving OAS and GIS, you can qualify for the BC Seniors Supplement. Depending on your OAS and GIS earnings, you can receive anywhere from $1.00-$99.83 every month.
New Brunswick Low-Income Senior’s Benefit
New Brunswick provides annual financial assistance to its low-income senior residents through this benefit. Applicants must be recipients of a benefit under the OAS. Applications for this benefit began on April 1 and will end on December 31, 2024.
Newfoundland and Labrador Senior’s Benefit
Low-income seniors in the province qualify for these refundable tax credits, which are paid in quarterly installments (January, April. July and October). You must have filed your annual income tax return. Your eligibility will be based on your family net income from the year prior.
NWT Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit
This supplementary benefit is a monthly cash payment of $196 to low-income seniors to help pay for living expenses. To qualify for this grant, you must be receiving the OAS and the GIS or the Spouse’s Allowance (SA) from the federal government.
Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
This drug insurance plan helps members with the costs of their prescription medications. You can apply for the program If you’re at least 65 years old, a Nova Scotia resident, hold a valid Novia Scotia Health Card and have no prescription drug coverage under any plan.
Nunavut Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit
Low-income senior citizens in Nunavut get a monthly payment of $300, which is automatically included in the monthly OAS cheque. To receive the benefit, you must be a Nunavummiut who’s 60 or older and receiving GIS or SA from the federal government.
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System
The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System, or GAINS, is a monthly, non-taxable benefit provided to eligible low-income seniors in the province. Monthly GAINS payments range from $2.50-$83, depending on income and marital status.
PEI Seniors Benefits
Prince Edward Island runs a program for hearing-impaired senior citizens aged 65 or older. The maximum payable rebate is $6,000 per individual. If you’re eligible and earning less than $22,523 as an individual (or $31,470 for couples), your hearing aid costs will be fully covered.
Quebec Seniors Benefits
Quebec provides multiple tax benefits to seniors 60 or older based on their situation at year’s end (needing medical care, having low income or losing independence). Eligible seniors can receive various tax credits and programs, depending on their age on December 31.
Saskatchewan Seniors Income Plan
The Seniors Income Plan in Saskatchewan is a monthly supplement provided to seniors with little or no income (other than the OAS and GIS) to help them meet their basic needs. The amounts range from $50-$360 per month, depending on the recipient’s marital status.
Yukon Low-Income Senior’s Supplement
Eligible low-income seniors aged 65 or older residing in Yukon can receive the Seniors Income Supplement of $288.61 per month. You must currently receive OAS, GIS, the Spouse’s or Survivor’s Allowance, and the GIS in Yukon to qualify for the supplement.
Canadian Federal Government Pensions for Seniors
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Canada Pension Plan is a monthly, taxable retirement pension that replaces part of your income when you retire. If you’re eligible for it, you’ll receive this pension for the rest of your life. The maximum amount you can receive if you start your pension at age 65 is $1,364.60.
The amount you receive depends on the age you start your pension, the amount and length of time you made CPP contributions, and your average earnings during your working life. To qualify, you must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution.
Old Age Security (OAS)
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension for Canadians 65 and older. You’re eligible for this pension if you have resided in Canada for at least ten years after turning 18 and are a Canadian citizen or legal resident at the time of application.
If you’re aged 65-74 with an annual net world income in 2022 of less than $134,626, your maximum monthly payment is $713.34. If you’re 75 and over with an annual net world income of less than $137,331 in 2022, your maximum monthly payment is $784.67.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a non-taxable monthly payment you receive if you’re a Canadian resident aged 65 or older currently receiving the OAS pension. It’s based on income and marital status and is available to low-income OAS pensioners.
This supplement is available if your income is below a specific threshold. Depending on your situation, the maximum monthly payment amount is up to $1,065.47.
FAQs:
What can Canadian seniors get for free?
Seniors in Canada can access various benefits and grants for free. These include federally administered programs like OAS, GIS, Spouse’s Allowance, Allowance for the Survivor, Canada pensions benefits, retirement, disability, survivor’s and death benefits.
What is the $500 grant for seniors in Canada?
This may refer to the taxable one-time payment made out to older seniors in August 2021 to provide financial support. All eligible older seniors born on or before June 30, 1947, automatically received the payment without application.
How much do seniors get a month in Canada?
For government pensions, the maximum amounts seniors can receive monthly are $1,364.60 for the CPP, $784.67 for OAS, and $1,065.47 for GIS. How much a senior actually receives each month will depend on eligibility and factors like household income and marital status.
What happens when you turn 65 in Canada?
Once you turn 65, you can apply for and receive OAS, CPP, and GIS payments, allowances, and other grants and federal benefits available to seniors. These provide you with financial support and help improve your quality of life.
