Feds pledge one time benefit top up to seniors in COVID 19 aid
Published May 12, 2020 at 2:44 pm
The federal government is giving seniors a one-time, tax-free top-up payment to help manage extra costs associated with COVID-19.
Seniors Minister Deb Schulte says seniors who receive old age security will get $300, and those who receive the guaranteed income supplement will receive $200.
In all, the $2.5-billion measure will provide payments to 6.7 million seniors, Schulte says.
She says many have faced an increase in the cost of living as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, from more for dispensing fees for medications or delivery fees for food and services.
She also says their savings have taken a beating as stock markets have tumbled.
The government is also announcing that it won’t suspend OAS and GIS payments to seniors who forget to file their taxes on time.
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The most recent federal figures show there were 6.5 million seniors receiving old age security payments in March.
There were 2.1 million receiving GIS payments, which are meant to put a financial floor under seniors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2020.
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