Seniors aged 55 and older in Manitoba can receive higher benefits following an increase in the 55 PLUS Plan quarterly payments.
In this guide, you will learn the maximum amount you can receive, your eligibility for this benefit and how to apply for it.Â
How Much You Can Receive
Below are the maximum amounts you can receive from the program every three months:
- Single individual – $161.80Â
- Couple (Married or common-law) – $173.90
What Is the 55 PLUS Plan?
The 55 PLUS Plan Program is a Manitoba Income Supplement given to qualified residents in the province aged 55 and over who meet the income requirements.
It comes in two components that cater to different age ranges and annual incomes:
55 PLUS Junior Component
This category is for people 55 or older who are not qualified to receive benefits from the Old Age Security (OAS) Program. Your annual income must not exceed $9,746.40. If you belong to this category, you will receive partial benefits from the plan.
55 PLUS Senior Component
The senior component is for eligible individuals receiving OAS benefits. In this category, benefits are based on net family income, family structure, and the kind of benefits you receive via OAS.Â
What Are the Payment Dates?
The benefits are issued four times a year: in late April, July, October and January. The first payment that eligible individuals receive will include the benefits for three months from the time of the approval of their application.
Who Is Eligible for the Manitoba 55 PLUS Plan?
Individuals must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the program:
- 55 years or older
- A resident of Manitoba
- A valid Manitoba Health Registration number
- Meets the allowable income requirements
- Single person – Annual income of up to $9,746.40
- Couple – Annual family income of up to $16,255.20
Your net income from the previous tax year is also considered to determine your eligibility. If you are a recipient of the federal OAS benefit, your eligibility will be determined by the level of benefits you get from the following:
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
- The Allowance
- Allowance for the Survivor
If your income slightly exceeds the maximum amount, you can still apply for the benefit since Manitoba allows deductions from the gross income.
Individuals receiving Employment and Income Assistance are not entitled to the 55 PLUS benefit. However, if you receive only the health care portion of the income assistance, your application may be considered.Â
How Do You Apply for This Benefit?
Download the 55 PLUS – A Manitoba Income Supplement application form, print it and fill out all applicable fields. Bring or fax the completed form to:
Provincial Services, 100 – 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V4.
If you receive the OAS benefits, there is no need to apply. Applications for the 55 PLUS Program are accepted any time during the benefit year, which runs from April 1 to March 31.
If your application is denied, you can appeal and get in touch with the Social Services Appeal Board. The group reviews appeals from Manitobans applying for or receiving services under the province’s programs.Â
Other Seniors Benefits in Manitoba
Aside from the 55 PLUS Program, seniors in Manitoba are also entitled to other federal and provincial benefits enumerated below.
Seniors Hearing Aid Program
The Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program provides qualified Manitobans with financial support of up to $2,000 to purchase eligible hearing aids, have hearing assessments, and have the devices fitted.Â
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- A resident of Manitoba
- A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- Household net income of less than $80,000 during the previous year
- Prescription from a certified and licensed hearing aid dealer in Manitoba
Qualified seniors can make one claim of up to $2,000 per person every five years. Eligible purchases must be made within six months following approval of your application.
To apply for this program, submit the following documents:
- A completed Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program application formÂ
- Proof of statement from the Canada Revenue Agency
- A hearing assessment document from a licensed and certified hearing aid dealer in the province that shows a need for hearing aids and the degree of hearing loss
Send (by mail, fax or in person) all three documents to the following address:
Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program, Provincial Services, 100 – 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V4. Fax number: 204-948-2143.
Federal Benefits and Pensions
The CPP is a monthly tax benefit provided to seniors aged at least 60 years old and who have made at least one contribution to the CPP. The maximum amount you can receive (if you start your pension at age 65) is $1,364.60.
The OAS is a monthly pension for Canadian residents 65 and older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years. Seniors aged 65 to 74 can receive up to $718.33, while those 75 and over can get up to $790.16.Â
The GIS is a monthly benefit provided to low-income Canadian residents aged 65 or older who receive the OAS benefit and meet the income requirements. Seniors can get up to $1,072.93, depending on their marital status.Â
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Hello Mr. Omololu,
Thank you so much for the valuable service provided through the Savvy New Canadians platform.
It goes a long way to ease many of us into the complex world of money matters in the Western world.
Kindly include me in your mailing list going foward.
Best regards,
Olu
You are very welcome, Olu.