Senior's SupplementQuestions & AnswersQ: What is the Senior's Supplement? A: The Senior ' s Supplement is a monthly payment provided by the Government of British Columbia through the Employment and Assistance Act. The Senior ' s Supplement ensures a conditionally guaranteed minimum income level for residents of British Columbia receiving federal Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement or federal Allowances. Q: How do I apply for the Senior's Supplement? A: Seniors in receipt of federal Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement will receive the Senior ' s Supplement automatically, provided their Guaranteed Income Supplement rates make them eligible. The Senior's Supplement is also paid automatically to persons 60-64 years of age who are eligible, in receipt of federal Allowances, and married to an Old Age Security pensioner. Senior ' s Supplement rates are based upon income declared to the federal Canada Revenue Agency or declared on the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement application if a senior is required to complete one . Q: If I am eligible, when will I receive my first cheque for the Senior's Supplement? A: Seniors in receipt of Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement and eligible for this program will receive their first supplement payment during the week of October 24, 2005. After October 2005, if seniors are 65 years of age and about to receive Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement or if they are the spouse of a federal pensioner about to receive federal Allowances, their Senior ' s Supplement will be effective the month following their receipt of notification from federal authorities that their Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement or federal Allowances are in effect. PLEASE NOTE: If seniors have experienced a loss of certain types of income in the current year, an adjustment in their federal Guaranteed Income Supplement rate may be possible. Requests for federal Guaranteed Income Supplement adjustments should be forwarded to Social Development Canada. Requests for adjustments can include the loss or reduction of the following: employment earnings, retirement pensions, reductions in Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan and reductions or loss of alimony or private disability payments. Q: Is my other income considered in establishing the Senior's Supplement payment rate? A: Yes. All income that is declared to the federal Canada Revenue Agency is considered in establishing the Senior ' s Supplement payment rate. "Income" means bank and bond interest, Canada Pension Plan benefits, dividend payments, private pensions, etc. Q: I receive a benefit through the Veterans Affairs Canada. Is this considered to be income? A: Seniors eligible for the Senior ' s Supplement are allowed a $50 monthly exemption per family on their Veterans Affairs Canada benefit. Any amount over this is considered income when calculating the Senior ' s Supplement rate. Q: Are assets a factor in my eligibility for the Senior's Supplement? A: No. Assets are not a factor in determining eligibility for the Senior ' s Supplement if seniors are receiving federal Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement or federal Allowances. Only the income derived from those assets is considered. Q: What is the guaranteed income level? A: The guaranteed income level consists of a senior ' s federal Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement pension, declared other income, plus the Senior ' s Supplement rate necessary to bring the monthly income up to the current guaranteed level. Veterans Affairs Canada benefits are considered part of the income, after allowing the $50 exemption. Q: Must I apply for other benefits in order to be eligible for the Senior's Supplement? A: Yes. Seniors are expected to apply for benefits such as the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement and federal Allowance, Veterans Affairs Canada benefits, Workers' Compensation Board benefits, Canada Pension Plan benefits, etc. A Senior ' s Supplement recipient cannot forego other available benefits. Q: Are seniors who are residents of a long term care facility eligible for the Senior's Supplement? A: If a senior is eligible for the Senior's Supplement and lives in a long term care facility, their Senior's Supplement is payable to them in the facility in which they reside. Q: Are seniors who receive a partial federal Old Age Pension eligible for Senior's Supplement? A: Seniors who receive a partial federal Old Age Security Pension must apply for federal Guaranteed Income Supplement first. The Senior ' s Supplement will be paid automatically if they are eligible, to bring their income up to the current guaranteed level. Q: Where can I write or phone for additional information on the Senior ' s Supplement program? A: The Senior's Supplement call centre can be reached at 1-866-866-0800 (press 4 then press 1). The Senior ' s Supplement Program can also be reached by mail at: Senior
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