*Please note that Seasons Retirement does not have any affiliation with this program. Please call 1-877-644-9992 or visit the government of Alberta website for enquiries or more details.
Our older loved ones want to enjoy happy and fun-filled lives after retirement. But they will need to be financially secure to afford the comfortable lifestyle they desire.
Fortunately, several provincial governments in Canada have set up different financial benefits to support post-retirement life for older adults. In Alberta specifically, various benefit programs provide some relief to older people’s cost of living.
Seasons Retirement has several communities in Alberta, where we offer diverse living options to adult residents. In line with our focus on residents’ financial security, we’ve curated this piece to discuss the senior benefits Alberta has to offer, including Alberta seniors financial assistance and Alberta seniors health benefits.
Continue reading to learn about the financial benefits that your parents and grandparents can enjoy in Alberta, including information on government assistance for seniors with low-income and various government grants for seniors.
Older persons are well cared for by the government of Alberta, and if you are wondering what benefits do seniors get in Alberta?’, you can find your answers below:
The Alberta Seniors Benefit is a scheme created by the government to provide financial assistance to older adults. This program pays a monthly stipend to older people based on factors such as marital status, accommodation, income, etc.
Before your loved one can apply for the Alberta Seniors Benefit, they must meet specific requirements. Below are the eligibility criteria for this benefit.
Also, specific income requirements must be met before your loved one may be eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit. The program’s officials will check if your older folk’s total income in the previous year qualifies them for the benefit. Then, they will determine their due monthly grant amount.
If your older loved one is eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit and is interested in taking advantage of the program, here are step-by-step guidelines to follow to apply:
Step One – Fill out the Seniors Financial Assistance application form
To complete this step, you may need to submit the following:
Step Two – Submit a photocopy of valid and verifiable means of identification such as driver’s license, birth certification, passport, etc.
Step Three – Submit the application form
You or your loved one can do this online via the Alberta Senior Financial Assistance portal or by faxing and mailing the form.
This group of Alberta seniors’ financial assistance focuses on providing health relief to older adults. It covers medical services like dental aid, optical aid, massage therapy, physiotherapy, etc. Consistent with other government financial aids, eligibility depends on your loved one’s income.
For the Dental Assistance for Seniors program, there is the provision of basic dental coverage to a tune of $5,000 every five years. It covers essential dental services like examinations, scaling/root planing, fillings, extractions, root canals, and dentures.
Meanwhile, the Optical Assistance for Seniors program offers up to $230 in financial aid to purchase prescription eyeglasses every three years. Also, annual optometry tests for older adults are covered by this benefit scheme.
Your loved one will need to contact the Department of Health and Social Services to find out if they are qualified for Alberta Blue Cross for Extended Health Benefits and to figure out how to apply. This program is particularly beneficial for low-income seniors who might struggle to afford these essential health services.
The Senior Home Adaptation and Repair Program is one of Alberta’s senior benefits. It provides low-interest home equity loans to assist older people in paying for their home maintenance, repair, and renovation fees.
These repairs or upgrades must enhance energy efficiency in the home or improve the homeowner’s quality of life, at least.
The scheme offers a maximum amount of $40,000 in loan, which can be repaid upon the sale of the house or earlier by the homeowner. It is, however, essential to point out that monthly reimbursements are not required.
To be eligible for SHARP, these are the criteria and qualifications that your older loved one must meet:
It is worth mentioning that low-income individuals ineligible for the SHARP loan can apply for SHARP grants for seniors in Alberta.
To apply for this financial scheme, your loved one needs to fill out the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program application form on the program’s website. After completing the application, they can proceed to mail the signed form to the SHARP’s office.
The following are other financial benefits that your parents and grandparents can enjoy in Alberta:
The Senior Property Tax Deferral Program provides older adults with low-interest home equity loans, allowing them to defer all or part of their property tax payments.
The Government of Alberta assists eligible candidates by directly paying their residential property taxes. Beneficiaries, however, are expected to pay back the loan with interest when they sell their property or earlier if they can afford to.
This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on seniors, enabling them to maintain their independence and remain in their homes longer.Â
To qualify for this program, applicants must:
Notably, eligibility is not based on income, making the program accessible to a broad range of seniors.
The loan offers a low interest rate (currently 4.95%) and is repaid when the property is sold or no longer a primary residence; monthly payments are not required. Interest is simple and begins once the government pays the taxes.Â
To apply, seniors must submit a completed application form and a copy of their current property tax bill at least 30 days before the tax due date. Applications require original signatures and must be mailed to the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program office in Edmonton.Â
Additional information about this program:
It is one of the senior benefits the Alberta government has set up to provide a one-time payout to older adults, assisting them in covering their health, personal, and household expenses. The maximum payout from this benefit is $5,105 per payment period.
To qualify for the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program, applicants must:
Eligibility is income-based, with assistance levels determined by marital status and annual income. For instance, single seniors with a yearly income of $29,010 or less may qualify for both primary and secondary items, while those earning between $29,011 and $33,410 may be eligible for primary items only. Senior couples with a combined annual income of $46,440 or less may also qualify for both categories, whereas those earning between $46,441 and $54,640 may be eligible for primary items only.
The program covers a range of essential items and services categorized into health support, personal support, and appliances or furniture. Health support includes items like CPAP machines, diabetic supplies, and prescription co-payments. Personal support may encompass housekeeping, yard maintenance, and medical trips. Appliances and furniture support can assist with the purchase of necessary household items. It’s important to note that all requests require receipts or cost estimates, and certain items may necessitate medical documentation.
The Supplementary Accommodation Benefit is a financial assistance program offered by the Government of Alberta to support eligible low-income seniors residing in continuing care homes. This benefit helps offset the monthly accommodation charges in such facilities, ensuring that seniors have sufficient funds for personal expenses.
To qualify, applicants must:
Eligibility is income-based, considering both individual and combined income for couples. The benefit amount is determined by the applicant’s income, the maximum monthly accommodation charge for a private room in a continuing care home as set by Alberta Health, and a minimum monthly disposable income requirement of $365 to cover personal costs not included in the accommodation charge, such as meals and housekeeping.Â
The Supplementary Accommodation Benefit is combined with the Alberta Seniors Benefit, resulting in a single monthly payment to the recipient.
The Alberta Government prioritizes the financial needs of older adults in the province. As a result, they’ve made sufficient financial provisions for your parents and grandparents to enjoy themselves and live their best life in retirement. From the Alberta Seniors Benefit to health coverage and home repair assistance, there are numerous programs designed to support seniors, especially those with low incomes.
In addition to the government’s benefits, Seasons Retirement strives to offer the best living conditions for retired Albertans. Connect with us to learn more about how we help our residents enjoy their retirement alongside the benefits they receive.
Remember, understanding how much is the Alberta seniors benefit and who qualifies for Alberta seniors benefit can make a significant difference in planning for a comfortable retirement. Whether you’re looking into how to apply for $5,000 grant for seniors or exploring other financial assistance options, it’s important to stay informed about the various programs available to support seniors in Alberta.
