Despite Canada’s public pension system, many seniors continue to struggle with
housing costs, food affordability, transportation, and other essential expenses,
particularly women living alone and seniors who rely primarily on Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
Are you a senior with low-income? Simply put, there are different low-income cut-off levels for various programs. The income calculated is based on the household income which includes everyone in the house earning an income or taking a pension.
Free Community Income Tax Program filing uses a moderate income cut-off for eligbility is $40,000/1 person to $70,000+/5 people or more.
Ontario Electricity Support Program uses household income (after tax) cut-off eligibility is $38,000 or less/1 person to $71,000/7 people or more.
Grey County Sustainable Housing Benefit uses gross household income limits from $27,000/1 person to $59,500/sole support/couple with three children or more.
To learn more what income you will get when Retiring on a Low-Income go to: Support to Seniors with Low-Income – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force which includes 3 training videos featuring John Stapleton of Open Policy Ontario.
The United Way of Bruce Grey has compiled a list of financial supports in its Turning Over Stones and you can find support such as:
United Way Utility Assistance Program
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program
Ontario Energy Support Program
Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic provides free legal services to low income residents of Grey and Bruce Counties.
CPP Appeals and Trouble Shooting Issues
To find free tax filing services in Grey Bruce go to: Support to Community Income Tax Services – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force and find resources such as:
Why Should You File Your Taxes? Slide Presentation to Clients with Low Income
Tax credits and benefits for individuals – Canada.ca
How to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
Prosper Canada has a Benefits Wayfinder Guide that walks you through what to do if you have filed or not filed your taxes.
The Benefits Wayfinder has a Portal for Agencies supporting clients
The Income Security Advocacy Centre has created resources for seniors Living on OW/ODSP and turning 65.
Top 5 Tips on Protecting your Income When Turning 65: A resource for seniors to help them plan for these changes, including tips on filing taxes annually, understanding when and how to apply for seniors’ benefits, how to keep their social assistance health benefits, and how to avoid paying fees for prescription drugs.
Top 5 Things You Can Do to Help Seniors Maintain their Income and Health Benefits when Turning 65: Tips for healthcare and social service providers to help their patients/clients navigate changes to their income and health benefits. The resource highlights the referrals and actions needed before the patient/client turns 65.
Health Benefits for People Leaving Social Assistance: about potential options for clients leaving social assistance.
To find local community resources, social services, government assistance,
and health services, call 2-1-1 or check out informationbrucegrey.ca