INTENT
To ensure that ETW/BFE Income Support program policy accurately reflects the income and other benefit options for individuals over 65 involved with the program.

POLICY

Members of the household who are turning 65 may become eligible for a variety of programs and must apply for all available income types.

FEDERAL INCOME PROGRAMS

Old Age Security (OAS)
Members of the household who are turning 65 must apply for Old Age Security (OAS) benefits unless they have already been pre-approved for benefits. Clients or cohabiting partners with less than 10 years residency in Canada may not qualify for OAS until residency requirements are met.

Members of the household who are over 60 years of age and who have an OAS eligible cohabiting partner may be eligible for the OAS Spousal Allowance. IS clients/cohabitating partners must apply for the Spousal Allowance if they are eligible.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
Members of the household who are who are turning 65 must also apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Members of the household who are over 60 years of age and who have a GIS eligible cohabiting partner may be eligible for the GIS Spousal Allowance. IS clients/cohabitating partners must apply for the Allowance if they are eligible.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Members of the household who are aged 60 and over may be eligible for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – Retirement benefits. If a member of the household is already receiving CPP – Disability, these benefits will automatically change to retirement benefits the month after their 65th birthday.

NOTE:

As household members begin receiving any new income, ongoing eligibility for the IS program must be assessed.

For additional information on federal programs for seniors see: Canada Benefits.

PROVINCIAL BENEFITS

The government of Alberta offers additional programs to support seniors.

The Alberta Senior Financial Assistance programs may provide additional supports for Albertans turning 65. Members of the household should apply within seven months of their 65th birthday to support a smooth transition from one program to another. Supports may be provided by the following programs:

Alberta Seniors Benefit (ASB) Program
Members of the household who are turning 65 must apply for ASB benefits. The ASB program can provide financial assistance to help with monthly living expenses for seniors with low-income.

Seniors Health Benefit
Members of the household who are turning 65 must apply for the Seniors Health Benefit Program. The Seniors Health Benefit Program provides premium free benefit coverage for prescription and other health-related series not covered under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Alberta Blue Cross administers the coverage. Effective March 1, 2020, this coverage is only for the individual registered on the AHCIP account who is 65 years of age or older.

After March 1, 2020, if there are partners and/or dependents under 65 on the AHCIP account, they are not eligible for coverage under the Seniors Health Benefit program.

Non-senior Health Benefit Coverage
Even if a member of the household is over 65, if the household meets all IS eligibility conditions, including asset and income rules and remains eligible for IS, then the household members who do not have coverage through Seniors’ programs or another source would be eligible for health coverage through Community and Social Services IS program.

If the household does not meet IS eligibility criteria and there are members without health coverage, they can be referred to the ACHB or AAHB program as applicable, or to other supports such as Non-Group Coverage with Alberta Blue Cross. It is the responsibility of the household to apply for these programs.

Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA) Program
Eligible seniors with low-income can get financial assistance to help afford the cost of appliances and specific health and personal supports.

Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program (SPTDP) Eligible senior homeowners can defer all or part of their municipal property taxes with a low-interest home equity loan.

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) Eligible senior homeowners may be eligible for low-interest home equity loans to cover a range of home adaptations and renovations to help them stay in their homes longer.

For additional information on provincial programs for seniors see: Alberta Seniors Benefit program.