Debt Resources for Seniors in BC

The Old Age Security Pension (OAS) is a federally-funded base monthly pension, paid to you once you have reached the age of 65, provided you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada who meets the residence requirements. If you have lived or worked in another country that has a social security agreement with Canada, under this agreement you may be eligible for OAS benefits from Canada or from the other country. Old Age Security benefit rates are reviewed in January, April, July and October to reflect increases in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index. To receive OAS, you should apply at least six months before your 65th birthday or the date of your eligibility. For more information about the OAS, contact Service Canada, or visit the website:
For service in English (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9914
For service in French (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9915
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-255-4786
The Website is: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

If you are a senior living on a low income you may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which provides additional money on top of the Old Age Security Pension. To receive the GIS you must apply.
If you are either a new applicant or an individual who already receives these benefits, your benefits will be renewed automatically each year, as long as you remain eligible and you file an annual income tax return on time.

If you do not file your income tax return on time, or if further information is needed, you will receive a renewal form in the mail. The GIS is based on your annual income, or the combined income of you and your spouse or common-law partner. As your annual income may change from year to year you must provide your income each year, either by completing an application form or by filing your income tax return. For more information about the GIS, contact Service Canada or visit the website: 
For service in English (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9914
For service in French (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9915
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-255-4786
The Website is: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

If you are a spouse or common-law partner of someone receiving both the OAS and GIS you may qualify for a benefit called the Allowance. The Allowance provides extra money to eligible low-income individuals aged 60 to 64. The benefit you receive will be based on the combined incomes of you and your spouse or common-law partner.

If your spouse or common-law partner dies (or has died), and depending on your income, you may receive a benefit called the Allowance for the Survivor until you reach age 65.

If you are either a new applicant or an individual who already receives these benefits, your benefits will be renewed automatically each year, as long as you remain eligible and you file an annual income tax return on time.

If you do not file your income tax return on time, or if further information is needed, you will receive a renewal form in the mail. As your annual income may change from year to year, you must provide your income each year either by completing an application form or by filing your income tax return.

For more information about the Allowance or about the Allowance for the Survivor, contact Service Canada or visit the website:
For service in English (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9914
For service in French (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9915
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-255-4786
The Website is: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides a retirement pension and other benefits for those who have contributed to the plan through paid employment in Canada. The amount of CPP benefit is determined by the contributions you made during the time you were employed. Your CPP retirement pension normally begins the month after your 65th birthday. If you apply between the ages of 60 (the earliest you can receive the pension) and 70, the amount will be adjusted. The CPP is adjusted for inflation every January to keep up with increases in the cost of living. You should apply for CPP at least six months before you want to receive it.

If you have lived or worked in another country that has a social security agreement with Canada, or if you are the surviving spouse or common-law partner of someone who has lived or worked in another country having a social security agreement with Canada, under this agreement you may be eligible for benefits from Canada or from the other country.

If you have contributed to the CPP for the necessary number of years, the CPP also offers a one-time lump-sum death benefit to your estate upon your death. Furthermore, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to receive a monthly survivor pension. Dependent children up to the age of 25 may also be eligible for benefits (those between 18 and 25 must be attending school full-time).

Applications for Canada Pension Plan benefits are available from any federal Service Canada office or on-line from the Service Canada website:
For service in English (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9914
For service in French (Canada and USA) the toll-free number: 1-800-277-9915
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-255-4786
The Website is: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

Seniors who wish to continue to work after the age of 65 are eligible for the same Employment Insurance (or EI) benefits as other workers in Canada. You must meet the qualifying and entitlement conditions.

The receipt of pension income does not prevent you from receiving EI benefits. If you return to work and accumulate enough insurable hours and meet the entitlement conditions to set up a claim, your pension income will not be deducted from your EI benefits.

It is possible to apply for EI benefits in-line at:
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/application/employmentinsurance.shtml

For more information and EI benefits contact Service Canada:
The toll-free number: 1-800-206-7218
The Website is: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

Veterans Affairs Canada (or VAC) provides assistance to elderly clients and caregivers residing at home and in community facilities. This assistance may include things such as disability benefits, attendance allowances, health care, home care, respite care, palliative care, special equipment and home adaptations. VAC uses a case management approach to coordinate services between the community, the province and the department to meet the total needs of the client and the caregiver.

For more information:
The toll-free number: 1-866-522-2122
The Website is: www.vac-acc.gc.ca

The following information describes tax credits that may be available to you when you prepare and submit your annual tax return.

• Age Amount: In addition to the Basic Personal Amount, if you turned 65 during the year (or are older), you may be entitled to claim the Age Amount, which allows eligible seniors a non-refundable tax credit to reduce their income tax payable. Your eligibility and the amount you can claim are based on your level of net income.
• Pension Income Amount: If you receive pension income you may be able to claim an allowable amount for certain pension incomes. Your qualifying Pension Income Amount will be used in determining the total non-refundable tax credits used to reduce your federal income tax.
• Amounts Transferred from Spouse: Your spouse may be able to transfer to you amounts that he or she qualifies for but does not need to reduce his or her federal income tax to zero. For example: the age amount, pension income amount or the disability tax credit.
• Other Amounts: You may also be able to claim a disability amount, an amount for medical expenses and expenses for an attendant or full-time care in a nursing home.

For more information, refer to your income tax guide or call the Canada Revenue Agency (or CRA):
The toll-free number: 1-800-959-8281
The Website is: www.cra.gc.ca

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST they pay.

To receive GST credit quarterly payments you must file your income tax and benefit return and complete the Goods and Services/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit application area on the first page of the return. 
Individuals who move must inform the CRA immediately to ensure that payments of their GST/HST credit are not disrupted, even if they use direct deposit and their bank account does not change.
The toll-free number: 1-800-959-1953
The Website is: www.cra.gc.ca
The Website is: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/gsthst/

Donating to Charities – Get the Facts Before You Give:
Each year British Columbia seniors generously donate to a variety of charitable organizations. These funds are used to support important work in our communities. However, there are situations when it is necessary for donors to take extra care before making a donation.

In recognition of this the Ministry of Health has partnered with the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency to produce the brochure Donating to Charities – Get the Facts Before You Give.

Copies of this brochure are available in English, French, Punjabi and Chinese through the B.C. Health and Seniors Information Line.
The toll-free number: 1-800-465-4911
The Website is: http://www.seniorsbc.ca/documents/pdf/donating_to_charities.pdf

• Senior’s Supplement: The Senior’s Supplement is a monthly payment to low-income seniors who are receiving federal Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or federal allowances. If the income level of an eligible senior falls below a level guaranteed by the province the supplement is provided to make up the difference. It is paid automatically to those who are eligible – seniors do not need to apply.

For more information contact the Senior’s Supplement call centre:
The toll-free number: 1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 1)
The Website is: www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/programs/other.htm#ss

• British Columbia Sales Tax Credit: The B.C. government offers a tax credit of $75 each for you and your spouse or common-law partner if you are a low-income person or family living in British Columbia on December 31st in the year for which the income tax return is submitted. If you had a spouse or common-law partner only one of you can claim this credit for both of you. The application for this benefit can be found on the British Columbia Credits form (BC479) included with your income tax return package.

The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Income_Taxes/Personal_Income_Tax/tax_credits/salestax.htm

• British Columbia Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit (or BCLICATC): Effective July 2008 the provincial government introduced a new ongoing low income climate action tax credit to help low-income individuals and families with the carbon taxes they pay. The tax credit is combined with the quarterly federal GST credit.

The BCLICATC is designed to offset the costs of the provincial carbon tax for low income B.C. residents.
For 2011 the tax credit provides up to $115.50 for an individual, $115.50 for a spouse or common-law partner and $34.50 for each child.
The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Income_Taxes/Personal_Income_Tax/tax_credits/low_income_climate_action.htm
The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Income_Taxes/Personal_Income_Tax/contact.asp

• Taxpayer Services Information Line:

The number: 250-387-3332
The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Income_Taxes/Personal_Income_Tax/contact.asp

• Income Assistance for Seniors not Receiving Old Age Security: If you are 65 or over and not eligible for the Old Age Security Pension and its supplement (GIS), you may be eligible for income assistance from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development. Eligibility is based on your income, assets and shelter costs.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Housing and Social Development:
The toll-free number: 1-866-866-0800 (press 3 + 1)

There's a society called the British Columbia Unclaimed Property Society. (www.unclaimedpropertybc.ca/ ). You can type in a name and see if there is something being held for that person. 

Unclaimed Money:
Unclaimed bank balances: Bank of Canada at www.bankofcanada.ca//unclaimed-balances/