Previously, I wrote about federal government retirement benefits available to seniors in Canada. In this follow-up article, I summarize the provincial retirement benefits (income) that seniors have access to on top of the federal programs like the Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Allowance, Allowance for the Survivor, and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
If you are interested in the federal retirement benefits available to seniors, check out the article here.
Provincial/Territorial Retirement Benefits for Seniors
Provinces and territories in Canada have programs in place to provide additional income to low-income seniors who may or may not be receiving OAS/GIS benefits.
Some of these programs and available benefits include:
Manitoba 55 Plus Program
This program, also known as the Manitoba Income Supplement, provides quarterly benefits to eligible low-income individuals who are 55 years of age or older. The current maximum quarterly benefits are $161.80 (single individual) and $347.80 (couples – $173.90 each).
The Manitoba 55 PLUS benefit year runs from April 1 to March 31, and benefits are mailed four times a year in April, July, October, and January.
For more information on Manitoba’s 55 Plus program, call them at 204-945-2197 or 1-877-587-6224 or by email at [email protected].
British Columbia Senior’s Supplement Program
This is a monthly benefit paid to low-income seniors who are recipients of OAS/GIS or who receive an Allowance. The amount received is based on how much you already get in federal benefits.
Currently, you could get up to a maximum of $99.30 (single senior), $220.50 (couples), or $99.83 (spouse receiving an Allowance).
If you need more information regarding British Columbia’s Senior Supplement Program, contact them at 1-866-866-0800 or email them at [email protected].
Alberta Seniors Benefit Program
This monthly benefit is paid to low-income seniors to supplement their OAS/GIS pension. Currently, single seniors with a total annual income of $29,630 or less and couples with a combined annual income of $48,120 or less are eligible for the benefit.
A single senior can qualify for up to a maximum amount of $11,771 per year, and for a senior couple, it is up to a maximum of $15,202.
For more information on Alberta’s Seniors Benefit program, contact them at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992.
Saskatchewan Seniors Income Plan (SIP)
This monthly benefit is paid to seniors whose annual income is below the specified threshold. The current maximum benefit per month for a single pensioner is $330.
For more information on Saskatchewan’s Seniors Income Plan, call them at 306-787-2681 or 1-800-667-7161.
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
This is a monthly benefit for low-income seniors. The amount is updated every quarter to account for inflation, and the current maximum monthly payment is $166 (single) and $332 (couples).
For more details on Ontario’s GAINS program, call 1-800-277-9914.
New Brunswick Low-Income Seniors Benefit
This is an annual benefit paid to eligible low-income seniors. Currently, the benefit is $400 per year. Senior couples who live together and who both receive the GIS are eligible for only one $400 benefit.
For more information on New Brunswick’s Low-Income Seniors Benefit, call 1-800-277-9914 (English) or 1-800-277-9915 (French).
Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors’ Benefit
This benefit is paid to low-income seniors. The maximum annual benefit is $1,444, and the recipient must be 65 years old when they start receiving the benefit.
For more details on NL’s Seniors’ benefits, call 709-729-3166 or email them at [email protected].
Nova Scotia Caregiver’s Benefit
Eligible caregivers of low-income seniors with a high level of disability or impairment, as determined by a Home Care assessment, can receive $400 per month. Here’s more information about the program.
Seniors who are at least 65 years old can also benefit from the Seniors’ Pharmacare Program.
This monthly benefit is paid to low-income seniors in Nunavut who are 60 years of age or older and receive the GIS or Allowance. The current monthly payment is $300.
For more information on Nunavut’s SCSB program, contact them here.
Northwest Territories Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit (SCSB)
This is a monthly benefit for low-income seniors who receive GIS benefits. The current monthly benefit is $196 per month.
For more information on NWT’s SCSB program, call 867-767-9355.
Yukon Seniors Income Supplement
This is a monthly benefit for low-income seniors who receive OAS/GIS benefits and are 65 years of age or older. The current maximum monthly benefit is $273.05 per month.
For more info on Yukon’s Seniors Income Supplement program, call 867-667-5674 or 1-800-661-0408 ext. 5674.
Related Posts:
- What Happens to an RRSP, RRIF or TFSA After Death?
- Best RRSP Investments
- What is the Pension Income Tax Credit?
- Best TFSA Savings Account Rates
- CPP vs OAS: A Comparison
Employment and Income Assistance
In addition to the different seniors’ benefits provided by Canadian provinces and territories, there are also provisions to assist seniors who have no other source of income, are unable to pay for basic necessities, and may not be eligible for government retirement benefits such as OAS/GIS.
Depending on the province/territory, these benefits may be referred to using different names, such as Income Assistance, Hardship Assistance, Social Assistance, etc.
Other benefits that are available to seniors include discounted bus pass programs, GST/HST credits, housing programs, and more.
To search for health and income programs available across Canada, use the Benefits Finder located at CanadaBenefits.gc.ca.
If there are any provincial seniors’ benefits missing, please leave them in the comment section below.
Hi Enoch,
I’ve recently discovered your Blog and find it well tailored to Canadians. I would have enjoyed reading on Quebec’s services for seniors. Will you cover it in a future part II?
Cordially,
Anne
Hi Anne:
Thank you for your kind words and I hope you keep reading! 😉 I actually considered Quebec when writing this piece – I just couldn’t find any specific Quebec program for seniors outside of the general federal government benefits i.e. CPP/QPP, OAS/GIS, and GST/HST tax credits. This was the same with PEI as well as Nova Scotia where the only listed benefits (additional) are the generalized employment and income assistance programs.
If you have not yet seen it, I have a post for federal government programs (benefits) available to seniors here: https://www.savvynewcanadians.com/overview-of-government-retirement-benefits-for-seniors-in-canada/
Cheers,
Enoch
I am really curious about the provincial benefits in Quebec for people at age 60 and 65 years old. I know about the provincial Senior tax credits.
@Atilla: From my search online, seniors in Quebec can access the GIS, OAS, Quebec Pension Plan (called CPP in other provinces), and survivor’s benefits under the QPP. I could not find any other programs specific to retirees, other than the tax credits which you are already aware of.
Hello Anne! I have found this sites very useful for Québec in English: 1: https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/services_quebec/Guide-ENG-ProgramsServicesSeniors2019_2018-12_v5_01.pdf?1548274860 AND 2: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/seniors/#c35887 I hope this will help you: Attila Kish PS: I will retire in Québec City, so therefore I looked for this information.
These steps have been on my mind since my parents both recently retired. What’s been interesting is that since they retired we have been talking about money more openly. It’s somehow been less taboo to talk about since they stopped working.
@Curious Frugal: Interesting observation. I wonder what makes money-topics less of a taboo now that they have left the workforce. However, I think my parents were the same. In my case, I assumed it was because they felt I had a good grasp about the concept of money and the days of me being “naive and flippant” about finances were far behind.
I currently am 66 and get a gis with my cpp. What is gains.
I’m having trouble making ends meet As a home owner
Are there programs that I could be utilizing?
Where is Nova Scotia? In your blog?
@Christine: The provincial benefits specific to seniors in Nova Scotia are not apparent when I view the applicable govt. sites online which is why I haven’t listed any.
A few rebates that may be of interest are Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare program and the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors.
I have found this collection of the Québec Senior Benefits besides the Federal Pension programs: https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/services_quebec/Guide-ENG-ProgramsServicesSeniors2019_2018-12_v5_01.pdf?1548274860
@Attila: Great resource – thanks for sharing!
I reside in BC
where is pei
prince edward island – if you are a resident of canada you should know the provinces. hmmmmmmmmm google it.
Mr. Omololu,
Thank you for your blog. I find your work to be a very useful resource in planning for my own low-income retirement in Canada (choosing a province as a domestic migrant).
I forgot to ask my question…
Is it possible that your data is inaccurate or not up to date? I just consulted the website of Nunavut and it claims that the monthly supplement is $175 (not $200). Perhaps *they* are incorrect and haven’t updated the Territory government website?
Hello Mr.Omulolu
I really enjoy your information that you provide for low income seniors and the various benefits for people of Canada. As I am 63 years old, I find myself caught between 60 when I retired and 65 when I will be eligible for OAS, GIS and the Newfoundland Seniors Benefit. Due to health issues was more the reason I had to retire, I was told by two doctors not to bother applying for the disability benefit, because I would need a letter from God to get approved. My question is this, why does the Canadian Government not have a bridge benefit to bridge some benefit between ages 60 and 65. My income is $14,855.00 it is very hard to live on this income, I am single, I have a budget for food and bills, but all shopping outside of groceries is non exsistant.
@Patrick: Glad to hear you have found the information to be useful. Unfortunately, there is not much available between age 60 and 65 that I can think of other than the Survivor’s pension which may not be applicable. It is understandably tough to qualify for disability benefits. That said, you could still try it out if health problems are preventing you from working.
Hello, is there a company or individual that can help understand all the available funding for a senior (75 years old)? My mother is a low income senior in Ontario and I’m in Alberta and she does not have the skills to find everything.Appreciate your help. Thx
@Mark: Unfortunately, I don’t know of anyone personally. Contacting Service Ontario may be a good place to start.
Thank you for preparing and sharing this comprehensive and very helpful information.
I live, as a single, in Nova Scotia, and as a recipient of OAS and the GIS for ten years now, my income is not meeting the escalating cost of living.
It barely covers rent in a very humble space, and nutritious food, both climbing beyond the reach of many.
I don’t own property, a car, have no laundry facilities, etc.
It seems that there are no provincial supplements offered in Nova Scotia for single low-income seniors who aren’t family caregivers .
Without sounding ungrateful,I do not consider my low-cost access to pharmaceuticals, (though often not the highly preferred ones) through Pharmacare, a supplement.
I make every effort to stay informed and engaged as a citizen.
I am a low income senior and widower. I have no other income except OAS and CPP. After my husband deceased I received 2.50 (two dollars and fifty cents as monthly Payment and it is also taking back for the over payment. My OAS and CPP is $ 1600.
we are both seniors and have to try to exist on what little bit we get coming in while everything we need and every overhead cost we need to deal with constantly goes up ., is there any new monies in this last provincial budget that would be for seniors like us once again to help Us to get through these costly days ., please keep us informed thanks and stay safe best wishes to all ……….. ( senior Citizens )!
Hello,
I’m 62 and getting ODSP. When I started getting CCP, they took away dollar for dollar so basically I’m poorer than ever. Is there any program you know of in Ontario that can help fill the gap and at least help?
Thanks,
Ron
@Ron: Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other program in Ontario other than GAINS which is almost insignificant.
Why is there no financial help for seniors in retirement/ assisted living homes. This needs to change. These are privately owned homes and very expensive, My Mother does not need a nursing home yet, but cannot live alone, there is nothing for this inbetween time in their lives.
No government aid for low income senior (60 yrs living on Cop disability )for internet and phone plans.
Do not qualify for connecting family program, too young, not receiving GIS.
What are I suppose to do.
Need to contact psychiatrist, doctors, pharmacy (911) by phone & bank on line, no transportation.
Have to move rent going up, no longer wi fi, phone or cable provided as of Sept.
No famly or friends.
Very ill mentally( Bi Polar manic depression) & physically ( FIBROMYALGIA )
I have look on internet with no results. Desperate.
Please can you help me.
Thank you
@Sheila: Unfortunately, I am not familiar with other programs out there that are not on this list. Hopefully, other folks reading this post can provide useful suggestions. All the best.