When our loved ones retire, many must adjust to a lower income and make changes to their lifestyle, carefully managing monthly expenses to achieve the financial security they strive for in retirement.
The good news is that, in Alberta, considerable help is at hand from the provincial government for seniors making the transition, especially those on lower incomes and struggling to make the necessary adjustments.
Here’s what you need to know about seniors’ benefits in Alberta…
Available senior benefits in Alberta
In Alberta, various benefit programs from the provincial government assist seniors trying to meet the rising cost of living. These benefits include monthly cash payments, health benefits, low-interest loans for making necessary home adjustments, and more.
There are three main senior benefit programs in Alberta—each with different eligibility criteria and methods for calculating the potential benefits available. It’s important to understand who qualifies and the extent of the assistance available before applying…
The Alberta Seniors Benefit Program
The Alberta Seniors Benefit program provides a monthly payment to seniors based on several factors: income, marital status, accommodation, etc.
These payments increase annually in line with inflation and are designed to assist older people in meeting the daily costs of living as a supplement to any other income they receive.
Who is eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit?
To be eligible to receive a monthly payment via the Alberta Seniors Benefit program, you must:
- Be at least 65 years old
- Have been residing in Alberta for a minimum of three months
- Be a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- Be a recipient of Old Age Security (OAS) payouts (if you choose to delay receiving this, you will be ineligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit)
Recipients must also meet specific income requirements to be eligible based on the previous year’s total income. These will be assessed at the time of application based on the previous year’s tax return. Currently, as a general guideline, a single senior can qualify for these benefits with an annual income of $31,080 or less (including the Old Age Security pension benefits), and a senior couple with a combined annual income of $50,720 or less may be eligible for benefits.
How to apply for the Alberta Seniors Benefit
For those eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit program, the standard procedure is as follows:
- 1. Complete the application form
Filing out the Seniors Financial Assistance application form is the first step. You may need to submit several forms, including:
- An income estimate form—if it is your first application or your income is less than in the previous year
- Income information form—if you haven’t filed your tax return for the previous year
- Direct deposit form—if you’d like to receive monthly payments through bank transfer
- Undertaking to Administer Benefits and Certificate of Incapability
- Authorization of Representative—if another individual is representing you and looking after your Alberta Seniors Benefit
- 2. Verify your ID
For this step, you’ll need to submit a photocopy of a valid and verifiable means of identification such as a driver’s license, birth certification or passport.
- 3. Submit the documents
You can submit your application online using the Alberta Senior Financial Assistance portal or by faxing/mailing the forms.
How is my Alberta Seniors Benefit determined?
To determine the amount of Alberta Seniors Benefit that is applicable for an eligible individual, factors such as income, marital status, accommodation, and whether you receive OAS will be considered. The amount you receive will depend on your income level in the previous tax year.
Some people like to use a calculator to estimate the benefits they will receive. The maximum available benefits for seniors in Alberta (along with the payment schedules) are updated each year and can be viewed here.
What if you cannot live on your own?
If you require assisted living, the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit can provide financial support in addition to the Alberta Seniors Benefit payment. This is available to help with expenses related to healthcare and accommodation. The Supplementary Accommodation Benefit may even be available to seniors who do not qualify for the OAS payment and, therefore, do not receive the standard Alberta Seniors Benefit.
Alberta Blue Cross for Extended Health Benefits
The Government of Alberta also provides seniors with health benefits via the Alberta Blue Cross program.
This includes premium-free coverage for health-related services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), under which Alberta residents get full coverage for necessary medical and dental health services.
For eligible seniors, the Alberta Blue Cross extended health benefits program covers prescription drug costs and other fees related to dental aid, optical aid, massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, etc.
Examples of extended health benefits for seniors
- The Dental Assistance for Seniors program provides dental coverage for examinations, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, and more, up to $5,000 every five years.
- The Optical Assistance for Seniors program offers up to $230 in aid for prescription eyeglasses every three years and annual optometry tests.
Eligibility for extended health benefits depends on a senior’s annual income, which will be assessed at the time of application.
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
The third main program offering benefits for seniors in Alberta is the Senior Home Adaptation and Repair Program or SHARP.
This provides low-interest home equity loans up to $40,000 to assist older people in paying for home maintenance, repairs, and renovation fees that enhance energy efficiency or improve the quality of life of the homeowner.
The loan amount can be repaid upon the sale of the house or earlier, but monthly reimbursements are not required like with many loans—reducing the financial pressure on seniors who want to make necessary home improvements.
Who is eligible for the SHARP program?
Seniors in Alberta hoping to take advantage of the benefits provided by the SHARP program must:
- Be at least 65 years old
- Have been staying in Alberta for a minimum of three months
- Own a residential property in Alberta
- Have an annual household income of $75,000 or less
- Hold at least 25 percent equity in their home
If you are not eligible for a SHARP loan but are a low-income senior person in Alberta, you may be eligible for a SHARP grant for seniors.
How to apply for the SHARP program
To apply, you’ll need to complete the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program application form, which is available here. It should then be mailed to the Edmonton office.
Other benefits for seniors in Alberta
Besides the three main programs outlined above, there are a couple of other benefit programs for seniors in Alberta for those meeting the eligibility criteria.
The two main additional programs are:
- The Senior Property Tax Deferral Program: Through this program, seniors can receive low-interest home equity loans while deferring all or part of their property tax payments. The loan must be paid back (with interest) when the property is sold—or before then, if possible.
- Special Needs Assistance for Seniors: This is a one-time payment of up to $5,643 (in 2024) to assist with a senior’s health, personal, and household expenses.
The various benefits available for seniors in Alberta provide important additional income that helps ensure that the needs of some of our most vulnerable community members are prioritized.
All About Seniors in Calgary is also dedicated to this goal, offering professional support for the continued well-being of senior loved ones. As the longest-standing home care and companionship service in the city, our personalized care services ensure peace of mind and safety for seniors during times of need. Contact us for more information.