Government Financial Support

Tax credits, veterans supports, and benefits offered by various levels of government to Older Adults.

Residential Care Facilities Subsidy Program

Phone:
Work: 905-546-2424 x2225
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5, Canada
Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

To qualify for the RCF Subsidy program an individual must:

  • be 18 years of age or older
  • meet established asset and income criteria
  • be able to maintain personal mobility at the time of admission
  • require assistance with identified activities of daily living

All potential residents will be assessed by a qualified health professional as to their eligibility for a given facility prior to admission.

How to apply:

Contact for information.

The Residential Care Subsidy Program aims to prevent homelessness by providing for safe and affordable supported housing in a communal setting for people who require assistance with the daily activities of life.

Offers choices of housing with support options for people who would otherwise be homeless, inappropriately housed in institutions and/or shelters, or inadequately supported in other settings.

Funding is connected to individual residents on a per day basis

Old Age Security Programs

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-255-4786
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-277-9915
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Visit the website for specific age requirements and other qualifications. Canada has reciprocal social security agreements with many other countries, see website for details.

How to apply:

Some eligible seniors will be automatically enrolled in the OAS Program, they will receive notification from Service Canada a month after they turn 64. 

Seniors who do not receive this notification can complete and application online, by phone, or in person at Service Canada locations.

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 (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)

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

Veteran Affairs Canada Veteran Services

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-866-522-2122
TTY Number: 1-833-921-0071
Contact:
Email: Web: Address:
55 Bay St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 3P7, Canada
Hours:
By appointment only.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Veterans and their dependents and families.

How to apply:

Contact for information.

Offers a wide variety of services for Canadian Veterans and their families. This includes: 

  • support and services related to physical and mental health and wellness
  • support for income, emergency funding
  • post-service training and education and employment assistance
  • help at home, assistance with at-risk housing situations
  • death and bereavement
  • benefits and services for family, including survivors and caregivers
  • history, memorials, medals, and decorations of those who served

Canada Pension Plan

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5, Canada
Hours:
Hours vary by location, contact site for details.
Cost:
Service
fees vary, contact for details
Who can access this service:

Open to all Canadians who have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP and are 60 years of age or older.

How to apply:

Apply online through My Service Canada Account or download and complete the application. Completed paper applications can be mailed to the address on the form or submitted in-person at a Service Canada office.

A monthly, taxable benefit that replaces a portion of the applicants income upon retirement. Those who qualify for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will receive the retirement pension for the rest of their life.

Individuals aged 60 to 69 can continue to work while receiving CPP. CPP contributions will then go toward post-retirement benefits (PRB) which will increase income upon retirement.

Canada Death Benefits

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5, Canada
Hours:
Hours vary by location, contact site for details.
Cost:
Service
fees vary, contact for details
Who can access this service:

The deceased must have made contributions to the CPP for at least one third of the calendar years since they turned 18 (no less than three years) or for at least 10 years.

 

How to apply:

To apply for the Death Benefit complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit.

To apply for the Surviving Child's Benefit or the Survivor's Pension complete the Application for CPP Survivor's pension and Child(ren's) Benefits.

Information about required documentation is available on each form. Completed forms can be mailed to any Service Canada Office that have an address listed on the form.

A one-time, lump-sum payment to the estate on behalf of a deceased Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributor.

If an estate exists the executor should apply for the benefit within 60 days of the date of death.

If no estate exists or if the executor does not apply, payment may be made to: the person or institution responsible for paying funeral expenses, the surviving spouse or common-law partner of the deceased, the next-of-kin of the deceased.

Individuals who are eligible for this benefit may also be eligible for the Surviving Child's Benefit or the Survivor's Pension which both offer monthly payments to children, spouses, and common-law partners of deceased CPP contributors.