Philippine Asian News Today Vol 19 No 15 | Page 10

10 IMMIGRATION PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY August 1- 20 , 2017

The Notary Corner

By Editha Corrales Nelson Immigration Consultant , Notary Public , Mediation / Arbitrator
Most people over 65 in Canada qualify for the Old Age Security ( OAS ) pension . If you have a low income , you may qualify for other benefits from the Old Age Security program through the :
• Guaranteed Income Supplement ( GIS ) for OAS pensioners ;
• Allowance for 60- to 64-year-old spouses / common-law partners of GIS recipients ; or
• Allowance for the survivor for 60- to 64-year-old widowed spouses / commonlaw partners .
The benefits are based on income and marital status . They are not automatic ; you apply for them . If you are
New Crime Stoppers campaign reminds us to protect our homes before going away – and report any vacation break-ins to Crime Stoppers
Vancouver , BC – It ’ s unsettling . Thieves are watching for homes left empty as many of us go away on summer vacation . Victims of burglary not only lose personal and sometime irreplaceable items , but the emotional jolt of having your property invaded is stressful and permanently shakes your sense of security .
With the peak of summer travel upon us , Crime Stoppers is launching a series of images on 20 digital billboards in Metro Vancouver , sponsored by Pattison Outdoor , as part of its ongoing # W o r l d W i t h o u t C r i m e campaign . The ads focus on protecting your property at home and away .
Fortunately , B & Es are trending downward in Vancouver this year , but there were still 872 residential break-ins recorded in the City of Vancouver in the first six months of 2017 .
Vancouver Police also note one in eight ( 13 per cent ) burglaries show no sign of forced entry . The thief simply enters through a door or window left open on a hot day for instance , sometimes while people are still inside the house .
“ If you see something out of the ordinary while
single and your annual income is less than $ 13,434 ( including all sources of foreign income , but not counting your OAS pension ), you may qualify for the GIS . The allowable income level is higher for couples .
Keep in mind that if you did not qualify for GIS in a previous year , you may qualify now . GIS eligibility is based on yearly income and the allowable income level can increase with changes in the Consumer Price Index .
You must renew your GIS , Allowance or Allowance for the survivor benefit every year . Your application is done automatically if you file your income tax return by April 30 . If you don ’ t file a return , you must complete an application
your neighbours are away , call police or Crime Stoppers right away ,” says Linda Annis , Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers ( MVCS ). “ Many homeowners don ’ t realize they leave their homes vulnerable when they ’ re away , but there are steps you can take to help prevent a break-in .”
# WorldWithoutCrime Campaign
This province-wide Crime Stoppers campaign began in April and is reaching people through more than 500 billboards and bus shelters as well as washroom posters , digital advertising in restaurants and bars , public service announcements on radio and television , and on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .
Reporting to Crime Stoppers
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers is not the police . Tips to Crime Stoppers can be provided by telephone or online through a secure server , texts , or free mobile apps . Tips from the public are passed on to authorities to investigate .
We don ’ t record phone calls , log IP addresses and we don ’ t need to know your name . Tipsters are provided with a code number and if their information results in a charge , arrest , the seizure of stolen property or illegal weapons , or the denial of a fraudulent insurance claim , a reward of up to $ 2,000 may

Old Age Security Benefits Who is qualified and what to do to ?

form .
The CPP pays retirement , survivor , death and disability benefits to those who qualify .
• If you are separated , divorced or your common-law relationship has ended … CPP contributions made by you or your spouse / common-law partner during your marriage or common-law relationship can be divided equally after divorce or separation .
• If you are married or in common-law relationship … You and your spouse / common-law partner can apply to share your CPP retirement pensions if you are both 60 or over . This could result in income tax savings .
• If you have children … If your children were born
be offered .
B A C K G R O U N D E R – Tips to consider before leaving your home behind
Close it up – Lock it up
• Obviously , you should close and lock all windows and doors , and set security alarms . This includes garage doors .
• Don ’ t leave a spare key outside under a flower plant pot – like they do in the movies .
It ’ s an open invitation for a burglar to walk into your house without any forced entry . Better to leave the spare key with a trusted neighbour or friend . Tell / Don ’ t Tell
• Tell local police of your plans so they can add your home to their vacation patrol list .
Be sure to include c o n t a c t i n f o r m a t i o n for your house sitter and yourself .
• Once you ’ ve left , don ’ t post public messages on social media that will tip off any shady c h a r a c t e r s that you ’ re far , far away .
• D o n ’ t reveal your holiday plans
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after December 31 , 1958 , you may be able to increase your benefits by applying for the child rearing dropout provision . This provision recognizes the time you spent out of the workforce while raising children under the age of seven . If this is your situation , be sure to apply .
Remember , if you have questions about whether you are eligible for any of these benefits , you may contact the relevant government agency who will review your file free of charge .
The following excerpt is taken from the government literature dealing with Old Age Security Benefits •
An Authorized Immigration Representative and Notary Public in the City

“ Summertiiiime , and the Stealin ’ is Easy ” - unless you ’ re careful

to strangers , not even the cabbie or bus driver taking you to the airport .
• Anyone you do tell , make it sound like you have a house sitter … whether you do or not .
• Don ’ t put your full home address on your luggage . A postal code is good enough .
Leave your home clueless
• If ordering merchandise online , make sure the package is delivered well before you go away , so it doesn ’ t sit on the doorstep . Also cancel newspaper , milk and bottled water deliveries .
• Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your mail , and maybe have them park their car in your driveway .
• If you normally leave bicycles , yard tools , ladders of Burnaby , Editha Corrales Nelson ’ s preferred areas of practice are Powers of Attorney , Wills Preparation , International Legal Documents , Name Changes , Affidavits , Letters of Invitation , Statutory Declarations , Drafting of Business Contracts and other notarial services . For an appointment , please call : 604-777-2757 .
The following should not be construed as providing legal advice and information in this column is intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific circumstances without further consultation . For more information on the subject , contact Editha Corrales at 604-777-2757 .
outside or in your shed , lock them in the house or garage .
• Trim trees and shrubs near windows and entries , and clean up before you leave – don ’ t give burglars a place to hide .
• An oldie but still a goody : use timers on lights and radios to create the impression that someone is still home .
About Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit society and registered charity that receives anonymous tip information about criminal activity and provides it to investigators in the communities of Metro Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada . http :// www . solvecrime . ca /