PrimeTime Magazine PrimeTime Spring 2018 | Page 22

2018 New Brunswick Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit
To assist low-income seniors in New Brunswick,
the government offers an annual benefit to
qualifying applicants.
Should you require further information on this
program, please contact the Department of Finance,
Revenue Administration Division at 1-800-669-7070
or www.gnb.ca
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for the 2018 annual benefit of $400
the applicant must have been a resident of New
Brunswick on December 31, 2017 and a recipient
of a benefit under the Old Age Security Act
(Canada), notably:
• The Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
during 2017 (must be 65 years or older) or
• the Federal Allowance for the Survivor during
2017 (must be between 60-64 years old) or
• the Federal Allowance during 2017 (must be
between 60-64 years old).
Important: Persons in receipt of a Federal allowance
who are under the age of 60 do not qualify for
this benefit.
Where both spouses receive the GIS and reside in the
same household, only one $400.00 benefit will be
granted. However, where spouses live separately (for
example, one residing in a nursing home), both will be
eligible for the benefit.
APPLICATION FORM
Application forms are now available and the
Department of Finance will begin to issue payments
after April 1, 2018. To access the application for
the 2018 benefit, visit any Service New Brunswick
Center.
INQUIRIES RELATING TO FEDERAL
BENEFITS
If you do not currently receive the GIS or one of
the other federal benefits and would like more
information, please contact the federal Department of
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada at:
1-800-277-9914 for service in English, or 1-800-277-
9915 for service in French.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER BENEFITS
Service Canada delivers two income security
programs for seniors: Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and
Old Age Security (OAS). CPP provides contributors
and their families with partial replacement of earnings
in the case of retirement, disability or death. You can
start receiving a reduced CPP retirement pension at
age 60. OAS provides a monthly pension to seniors
aged 65 and older who meet the Canadian legal status
and residence requirements. If you are a low-income
senior, you may be eligible for other benefits as early
as age 60. To register for the next information session
on April 5, 2018 from 2pm – 3:30 pm (English),
please contact the Seniors Information
Centre at 506 855