By Cheryl Jahn

Benefit for seniors

Jan 11, 2023 | 4:01 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Housing is one of the greatest expenses in a person’s life and for those on a fixed income, like seniors, and others it can be a real hardship. And the federal government is coming forward with a small measure of help in the form of a one-time tax-free benefit of $500. The local Council of Seniors is helping to administer it and says every little bit helps.

“It’ll be welcome,” says Wendy Curtis with the Council of Seniors. “It will help us with bills, help with some groceries, especially. And if there are utilities, go up, it’ll help a little bit there. But that money will be gone in a little while, right? It’s not going to take long for them to have to spend that on essentials.”

The benefit came about by a lot of lobbying by the federal NDP and, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach agrees, it helps, but it can’t be the end.

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“The reality is it’s not enough, but it’s going to make a difference for people. Every single dollar we can put in people’s pockets during these difficult times to help them pay the bills is going to make a difference. We’re going to keep pushing for more. People deserve more, and the cost of living keeps going up. So we’re going to keep fighting for people in Ottawa and hopefully, we can make a difference for the most vulnerable, the people who are struggling the most to get by,” he says.

And while the benefit is appreciated, housing is still a major issue for seniors, in particular. Something the Council takes advocating for more housing very seriously.

“Support for seniors for housing is very important. There’s a lack of it is not as the seniors’ population. We’ve seen that in many demographics, but because they you know, the only lot of them only have old security. And they can’t afford a lot. And so we have more supplements or more affordable good places that are safe and secure.”

To be eligible for the benefit, your family income must be $35,000 or less or an individual income of $20, or less.

But Wendy Curtis says seniors can come into her office any time between now and the end of March for help in applying.

“Definitely. Anyone who does not want to talk on the phone or go online can come here to the Prince George council. Seniors will assist them with the application process. It doesn’t take very long. It is pretty easy for us to do for them. Or we can help them with a phone call all so long as they have the information that’s required. They filed their taxes last year and their rent was 30 percent or more of their income for 2022.”

If you have any questions about how to access the benefit, you can go to www.canada.ca or call 1-800-282-8079 or you can call the Seniors Resource Centre at 250-564-5888.