Searching for Financial Assistance Programs For Seniors

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

Monthly retirement pension including:

• survivor benefit (subject to qualifying period)
• benefit for dependent children
• death benefit (lump sum payment to estate, or persons responsible for funeral costs)

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

A financial assistance program pays monthly benefits to most Canadians age 65 and older regardless of income or assets

• An individual's employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired.
• OAS pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax.
• must be legal resident of Canada for at least 40 years to receive full pension

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

• Supplement added monthly to Old Age Security for those with limited or no income
• amount of supplement is adjusted quarterly
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)
• not payable outside Canada beyond a period of 6 months regardless of how long the person lived in Canada

Allowance

Monthly allowance for spouses 60-64 years of Old Age Security pensioners receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement

• based on combined income of the couple
• allowance is adjusted quarterly
• residence requirements
• proof of age required
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Allowance for the Survivor

Monthly allowance for widowed spouses 60-65 years

• Death, Marriage and applicant's Birth Certificate required
• based on limited or no income
• deceased spouse need not have received Old Age Security
• apply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Passports
• Dual Citizenship
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• conducts public speaking and seminars to employers, labour associations, community organizations and general public
• provides special and personalized service to claimants experiencing difficulties with employment insurance
• Liaison with potential employers in the community

Enhances public awareness of:

• the Employment Insurance program
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security Benefits
• Employment Programs

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

Monthly retirement pension including:

• survivor benefit (subject to qualifying period)
• benefit for dependent children
• death benefit (lump sum payment to estate, or persons responsible for funeral costs)

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

A financial assistance program pays monthly benefits to most Canadians age 65 and older regardless of income or assets

• An individual's employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired.
• OAS pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax.
• must be legal resident of Canada for at least 40 years to receive full pension

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

• Supplement added monthly to Old Age Security for those with limited or no income
• amount of supplement is adjusted quarterly
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)
• not payable outside Canada beyond a period of 6 months regardless of how long the person lived in Canada

Allowance

Monthly allowance for spouses 60-64 years of Old Age Security pensioners receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement

• based on combined income of the couple
• allowance is adjusted quarterly
• residence requirements
• proof of age required
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Allowance for the Survivor

Monthly allowance for widowed spouses 60-65 years

• Death, Marriage and applicant's Birth Certificate required
• based on limited or no income
• deceased spouse need not have received Old Age Security
• apply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Passports
• Dual Citizenship
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• conducts public speaking and seminars to employers, labour associations, community organizations and general public
• provides special and personalized service to claimants experiencing difficulties with employment insurance
• Liaison with potential employers in the community

Enhances public awareness of:

• the Employment Insurance program
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security Benefits
• Employment Programs

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

COVID-19 - The office is now open to the public on a part-time, appointments-only basis. Clients must call first to make an appointment. We also continue to assist clients by working remotely.

Provides referrals, legal advice, legal representation, Tenant Duty Counsel services, public legal education and community outreach.

Areas of law include:

• Tenant rights
• Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and CPP Disability
• Disability issues
• Employment law including the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights in the Workplace and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• Wills and powers of attorney

Does not assist with matters relating to criminal, family, or property law.

Part-time satellite offices (by appointment only):

Wallaceburg Community Resource Centre
939 Dufferin Ave, Wallaceburg

Blenheim Municipal Building
35 Talbot St, Blenheim

Tilbury Information and Help Centre
20 Queen St N, Tilbury

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
• Passports

Access to Government of Canada services, benefits and documentation

Employment Services - Assistance with career planning and counselling including resume and interview assistance and student and youth employment services * access to online Job Bank

Employment Insurance - Basic income protection program for employed workers

Financial Benefits - Information and forms for federal pensions and benefits including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Disability Benefits and Survivor Benefits

Social Insurance Number (SIN) application - Personal identification number for access to various Canadian government programs

Services for Business - Services regarding employees and safety, including records of employment; wage subsidies, labour market information, labour standards, occupational health and safety and workplace equity

Access to Government of Canada services, benefits and documentation

Employment Services - Assistance with career planning and counselling including resume and interview assistance and student and youth employment services * access to online Job Bank

Employment Insurance - Basic income protection program for employed workers

Financial Benefits - Information and forms for federal pensions and benefits including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Disability Benefits, and Survivor Benefits

Social Insurance Number (SIN) application - Personal identification number for access to various Canadian government programs

Services for Business - Services regarding employees and safety, including records of employment, wage subsidies, labour market information, labour standards, occupational health and safety and workplace equity

COVID-19 Normal business hours have resumed with Covid protocols in place - walk in services offered when capacity allows.
Clients can apply for critical services online. Personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones
Accessing services Online Services available HERE If you require assistance accessing services please complete an online request HERE A Service Canada officer will contact you within 2 business days. If you do not have access to the internet and require assistance accessing services, please call 1-877-355-2657.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, as well as Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others.

Student/youth employment services available -- see separate entry.

Services offered include * labour market information * applying for a social insurance number * lost or stolen social insurance number * applying for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Apprenticeship Completion Grant, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security * provides passport applications but does not accept or process completed applications * among many other services and applications.

Information on eligibility for British pensions and assistance with the application process

• lobbies British government for pension reform, including inflation indexing and reciprocity rights with Canadian pension system

Assistance with Italian pensions applications

• legal advice
• notary public on-site
• assistance with documents

Assists with applications for Canadian and other countries' pensions and benefits

• information on passports, permanent resident cards, income taxes, legal issues, Italian properties, power of attorney and succession

Monthly retirement pension, beginning as early as 60 years or as late as 70 years

• full pension if started at 65 years
• reduced pension if started before 65 years
• increased pension if started after 65 years

Post-Retirement Benefit -- for workers 60-70 years who continue to contribute to CPP while receiving a CPP pension

Disability benefits -- for contributors under 65 years

• allowance for dependent children

Survivor benefits -- monthly pension for surviving spouse or common law partner

• children's benefit for dependent children of deceased contributor
• death benefit (lump sum payment to estate, or persons responsible for funeral costs)

Amount of benefits payable is in proportion to contributions

• pension credits earned by either spouse may be divided equally (credit splitting) on termination of marriage or common law partnership

Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577 -- independent appeal process for Canada Pension Plan decisions

Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

Old Age Security (OAS)

• Monthly pension to legal residents of Canada 65 years and older
• full pension to those who have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18
• partial pension may be available

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) -- Monthly supplement for low income OAS recipients living in Canada

Allowance -- Monthly benefit for low income spouses (60-64 years) of GIS recipients; based on combined income of the couple

Allowance for the Survivor -- Monthly benefit for low income widowed spouses 60-64 years

Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577 -- independent appeal process for Old Age Security decisions

Programs of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), 1-866-668-8297 -- monthly supplement to low income Ontario seniors receiving OAS and GIS

• program of the Ontario Ministry of Finance

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and referral on Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• some Service Canada locations are passport receiving agents

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

For local Service Canada Centres see separate entries or office locator

Assists with applications for Canadian and other pensions and benefits

• information on passports, permanent resident cards, income taxes, legal issues, Italian properties, power of attorney and succession

Assists with applications for Canadian and other countries' pensions and benefits

• information on passports, permanent resident cards, income taxes, legal issues, Italian properties, power of attorney and succession

If you have lived or worked in Canada and in another country, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Canada and in another country, you may be eligible for pensions and benefits from Canada and/or from the other country because of a social security agreement

• an international agreement between Canada and another country that is designed to coordinate the pension programs of the two countries for people who have lived or worked in both countries
• can help you qualify for benefits by allowing you to combine your periods of contribution or periods of residency in Canada with your periods of contribution or periods of residency in the other country to meet the minimum eligibility criteria
• can also reduce or eliminate restrictions based on citizenship or on payment of pensions abroad
• the requirements under the social security agreements vary from agreement to agreement
• for more information, see website

In person service available at local Service Canada Centres:

• Burlington
• Georgetown
• Milton
• Oakville

Old Age Security (OAS)

Monthly pension to persons 65 or over regardless of income or assets

• must be legal resident of Canada for at least 40 years to receive full pension
• also full pension for persons who were 25 years or older as of July 1, 1977, and who resided in or had a visa to enter Canada that was valid on that date, or who had resided legally in Canada prior to that date and after reaching age 18, and who resided in Canada immediately before approval of the application

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Supplement added monthly to Old Age Security for those with limited or no income

• amount of supplement is adjusted quarterly
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)
• not payable outside Canada beyond a period of 6 months regardless of how long the person lived in Canada

Allowance

Monthly allowance for spouses 60-64 years of Old Age Security pensioners receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement

• based on combined income of the couple
• allowance is adjusted quarterly
• residence requirements
• proof of age required
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Allowance for the Survivor

Monthly allowance for widowed spouses 60-65 years

• death, marriage and applicant's birth certificate required
• based on limited or no income
• deceased spouse need not have received Old Age Security
• apply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Some seniors might not be able to afford their rent consider referring them to Home - Community Legal Services of Ottawa / or to the Services juridiques - CSC Vanier immediately for assistance

Programs of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada)

Click here for the Benefits Payment Calendar