FINANCES FEDERAL BENEFITS Old Age Security (OAS) (taxable income) www.servicecanada.gc.ca 1-800-277-9914 To qualify you need to: • be 65 years of age or older • be a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada • have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18 (periods of residence and/or contributions in a country with which Canada has a social security agreement may be used to help meet the residence requirement for eligibility) Applications can be made 6 months before your 65th birthday. Forms are available by calling the above number, on the website, and at Service Canada, #100-221 West Esplanade, North Vancouver.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) (non taxable income) 1-800-277-9914 To qualify you need to: • be eligible to receive OAS • have little or no income You must apply for the GIS initially; benefits are normally renewed automatically after the first application if you do your taxes on time every year.
Canada Pension Plan (taxable income)
1-800-277-9914
To qualify: • benefits depend on how much and for how long you contributed while working in Canada • is paid separately from OAS • can apply as early as age 60 or delay after age 65 • if the pensioner dies, spouse or common law partner may apply for survivor benefits
Allowance/Allowance for the Survivor (non taxable income) 1-800-277-9914 To qualify: • spouse or partner of a pensioner who receives OAS or a survivor from a legal marriage or common law relationship • aged 60 to 64 years • meet legal status and residency requirements • income is below a specified amount • apply by calling the above number
Family Caregiver Tax Credit www.cra.gc.ca 1-800-959-8281 If you are a taxpayer caring for a dependent over the age of 18 who lives in your home, has a low net income and is dependent on you due to a physical or mental impairment, you may qualify. If the dependent is your or your spouse’s parent or grandparent born in 1945 or earlier, they do not have to be infirm for you to qualify.
Compassionate Care Benefit www.servicecanada.gc.ca 1-800-206-7218 This is an Employment Insurance (EI) special benefit that will pay up to six weeks to claimants who provide care or support to a gravely ill family member who has a significant risk of death. The claimant must have sufficient hours of insurable employment to qualify. Up to six weeks of leave may be taken, with job protection, to provide compassionate care to a family member.
North Shore Neighbourhood House
Seniors Peer Support Emotional support for seniors facing changes and challenges in their lives.
North Shore Neighbourhood House offers programs for seniors at John Braithwaite Community Centre including Seniors Peer Support, social programs, fitness classes, visual arts, lunches, drop-in games, music jam, bus trips and more. There is sure to be something to fit everyone’s budget and interests.
www.nsnh.bc.ca
604-982-8326
Grief, loss, loneliness, health concerns, caregiver stress, relocation, making decisions, resources, making new friends, connecting with community programs 225 East 2nd Street North Vancouver, BC V7L 1C4
Phone:
604-982-8333
NORTH SHORE 2016 SENIORS DIRECTORY 11