Alberta Seniors Benefit Payment Dates 2024

The Alberta Seniors Benefit is a financial assistance program from the Alberta government designed to provide income support for seniors aged 65 and above to help offset their monthly living expenses.

If you are an Albertan senior already receiving the Old Age Security (OAS), you may be eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit. This benefit is intended to complement existing federal programs and offers additional financial assistance tailored to the needs of Albertan seniors.

In this blog post, we’ll explore all aspects of the Alberta Senior Benefits program, including the payment dates for 2024, who is eligible, how to apply, and how much you could receive. Additionally, we’ll highlight other vital assistance programs available to seniors in Alberta.

Key Takeaways

• The next Alberta Seniors Benefit payment date for 2024 is March 22, 2024.
• The Alberta Seniors Benefit program is designed to provide monthly financial assistance to Albertan seniors to help offset their living expenses.
• To be eligible for the Alberta Senior Benefits, you must be 65 years and above, a Canadian resident, residing in Alberta, and must be receiving the Old Age Security (OAS).
• How much Alberta Seniors Benefit you could receive depends on your income, accommodation type, marital status, and Old Age Security eligibility.
• To apply for Alberta Seniors Benefit, you have to complete the Seniors Financial Assistance application form and submit it online.

Alberta Seniors Benefit Payment Dates 2024

Here are the Alberta Seniors Benefit dates for 2024:

What is Alberta Seniors Benefit?

The Alberta Seniors Benefit is a monthly non-taxable income supplement for eligible low-income senior Albertans. It provides them with payments to help offset their living expenses, such as rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs.

This benefit also provides a Supplementary Accommodation Benefit for seniors living in approved long-term care or supportive living facilities. However, you may also be required to pay your share of these expenses.

The Alberta Seniors Benefit program is a monthly payment for seniors 65 years or older. It is income-tested, and your eligibility will be assessed based on your annual household income and net assets. 

It complements retirement income from various sources, including Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and personal investments such as Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

You may be eligible for this benefit if your annual income is $31,080 or less or if the combined annual income for you and your spouse is $50,720 or less.

How Much is the Alberta Seniors Benefit?

The amount you can get from Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance is calculated based on your income (joined with a spouse, if you have one), accommodation type, marital/cohabitation status, and Old Age Security eligibility.

As part of the Affordability Action Plan for 2023, the government of Alberta has said that the Alberta Seniors Benefit amount will increase by 6% in 2023. Consequently, the amount will be indexed to inflation (the amount will change yearly to keep up with the cost of living).

What is the Maximum Alberta Seniors Benefit?

Maximum benefits payable for July 2023 to June 2024 period are:

Who Qualifies for Alberta Seniors Benefit?

To be eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a Canadian citizen or be a permanent resident
• You must be at least 65 years old and above
• Be a recipient of the Old Age Security pension (OAS) and
• Have lived in the Alberta region for at least three months

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements above, you must also meet the income requirements for the Alberta Seniors Benefit. The income threshold for the 2023-2024 benefit year is a maximum of $30,080 for a single senior and $50,720 for a couple.

Note: Your income from the previous year calculates your benefits for the current year. However, the 2023-2024 benefit year runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Alberta Seniors Benefit Application

Follow these steps to apply for Alberta Seniors Benefit:

Step 1: Fill out the Seniors Financial Assistance application form and submit it online

Step 2: You may also be required to complete an income estimate depending on your circumstances. Also, a direct deposit request, authorization of a representative, and other forms.

Step 3: Submit either your passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, permanent resident card, or Alberta identification card to confirm your age.

Step 4: After submitting your application via the online portal, you can fax it to 780-422-5954. If mailing is better, mail it to Alberta Seniors and Housing, Seniors Financial Assistance, PO Box 3100, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3.

Step 5: Wait for about 16 weeks, and you can apply for retroactive payments for up to 11 months.

After the duration, if successful, you will get your financial benefit. If your application is unsuccessful, you can appeal the decision by writing a letter of appeal and faxing it to 780-422-5954. Address it to the Director.

However, if your problem is unresolved, write to the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Seniors Services Division for a final review.

For other general inquiries about your application, contact the toll-free support centre at 1-877-644-9992.

Note: Your Seniors Financial Assistance application also assesses your eligibility for two other Alberta financial programs:

• Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors
• Special Needs Assistance for Seniors.

Is Alberta Seniors Benefit Taxable Income?

No, the Alberta Seniors Benefit is not taxable. It’s a monthly payment provided by the Government of Alberta to help seniors with their essential living expenses.

The good news is that the money you receive from this program is yours to use without worrying about deductions for income taxes. This makes it easier for seniors to plan and budget, knowing they can use the full amount of the benefit to cover their needs.

What Other Benefits Do Seniors Get in Alberta?

In Alberta, eligible seniors can access additional financial and health assistance sources.

I have generated a list of the top five benefits available for seniors in Alberta, Canada. All financial support is offered free ‌to Albertan seniors and is funded by the Government of Alberta. 

The programs include the following:

1. Special Needs Assistance for Seniors

In this program, low-income seniors receive help to pay for medical and personal support. You can receive a maximum benefit of $5,412 annually, depending on your marital status, income, and living arrangement.

Explore the lists below:

• The program funds appliances and furniture, including a bed, dryer, washer, refrigerator, and stove. However, this may depend on your type of housing situation. Microwaves, televisions, and vacuum cleaners are secondary appliances to be claimed.
• In addition to a CPAP machine, diabetic supplies (e.g., test strips, lancets, needles, antiseptic swabs), nutritional drinks, podiatry, and prescription costs are also provided as health support.
• Bed bug treatment, celiac groceries, clothing, home clean-up, and medical trips. Medication administration fees, wigs, and more are all included as personal support.

As part of the extra secondary financial support for personal support, housekeeping, yard care, and respite care are covered.

You will need a receipt or estimate of the cost to submit a claim online. The receipts should not be over 12 months; some claims may require medical notes.

The government cannot fund expenses incurred before you turn 65 years old.

> Read more information on the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors

2. Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors

Seniors with low incomes can get financial assistance for dental and optical care. It has the exact eligibility requirements as the Alberta Seniors Benefit.

In addition, if you have already applied for the senior financial assistance program, they automatically enrol you in the dental and optical assistance program. 

Your income and marital status determine the coverage you can receive:

The dental fee is a maximum of $5,000 every five years, including the following:

• Diagnostic, preventive, and restorative services
• Extraction Services
• Root canals
• Procedures relating to gum diseases such as periodontics and root planing
• Bridges, teeth bleaching, fluoride treatment, crowns, braces, implants, and inlays are unavailable.

Optical services are subject to a maximum payment of $230 every three years. Prescription glasses and lenses are included in this payment.

To find out how much dental services will cost and what your coverage is, call the Alberta Dental Service Corporation (1-800-232-1997).

Also, Alberta Blue Cross offers optical services and cost estimates (Edmonton: 780-498-8000; Calgary: 403-234-9666; Toll-free: 1-800-661-6995).

3. Coverage for Seniors

Alberta Blue Cross administers the Coverage for Seniors program and provides the following services:

• Prescription drugs
• Diabetic Supplies (up to $600 per year)
• Ambulance services
• Clinical psychological services (A maximum of $300 per family year)
• Home nursing care (To  $200 per year)
• Chiropractic services (up to a maximum of $200 per year)

4. Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)

The program provides low-interest home equity loans to seniors to repair or renovate their homes for safety reasons. However, the maximum loan amount offered by SHARP is $40,000. Applicants must meet the following eligibility:

• You must be at least 65 years of age and listed as the property owner in the Land Titles Office
• You must make $75,000 annual income or less per year and have at least 25% equity in your home
• Be a citizen of Canada or a permanent resident
• You must have lived in Alberta for at least three months
• A registered charge cannot be charged against your title. Including a reverse mortgage, bankruptcy, or a maintenance lien.

Complete the loan application and agreement form and mail it to PO Box 1050 STN Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2M1. Be aware of the current interest rate on a SHARP.

Even though you can pay off the loan, the principal and interest become due if you sell the home or are no longer a registered owner. Most times,  if it is no longer your primary residence.

They may consider SHARP loan applicants not qualifying for a SHARP grant. For more information about the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program, please call 1-877-644-9992 (toll-free).

5. Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program

This program offers eligible senior homeowners low-interest home equity loans to defer all or part of their residential property taxes.

However, to qualify for the loan, you must apply at least 30 days before the residential property tax is due. The applicant must be at least 65 years old.

You must also have a minimum equity of 25% in the house. Fill out the Seniors Property Tax Deferral application to apply.

Final Thoughts on Alberta Senior Benefit

The Government of Alberta has made adequate provisions to support the financial needs of older adults in the province. As a result, they’ve made sufficient financial programs for your parents and grandparents to enjoy themselves and live their best life in retirement.

If you are a senior living in Alberta or recently moved to Alberta, you’d be well advised to apply for these benefits from the Alberta government.

If you have any questions about your application, please drop them in the comments below. We will be happy to help in whatever way we can.

FAQs on Alberta Senior Benefit

What is considered low-income for seniors in Alberta?

For the 2023-2024 benefit year, the income threshold is a maximum of $30,080 for a single senior and $50,720 for a couple.

What is covered under Alberta Blue Cross for Seniors?

Alberta Blue Cross administers the Coverage for Seniors program that covers prescription drugs, diabetic supplies (up to $600 per year), ambulance services, and many others.