The Benefits Of The Canadian Government Grants To Help Canadians Age In Place
Retaining independence is important, especially as we age. Many people find it more comfortable to remain in familiar surroundings even though issues such as deteriorating health and low income continue to create difficulties in day-to-day living. Although family, friends, neighbours and local community programs may help you in some way, it is understandable that you want to be as self-reliant as possible. This is where the government grants for seniors in Canada come in. No matter what program you choose, all the federal and provincial benefits enable retired Canadians to enjoy a safe, cost-efficient and well-maintained home.
For example, Service Canadas Home Adaptations For Independence Program, as well as Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program are grants for seniors to stay in their homes and offer home repairs-related financial assistance to low-income Canadians. Both programs support the home modifications or repairs for people with diminished physical abilities:
- HAFI: is applicable in British Columbia for minor home adaptations, such as the installation of handrails, bathtub grab bars, chair lifts, etc. enabling independent living.
- RRAP: is applicable to all First Nations or individual First Nation members for major repairs to bring the house up to minimum health and safety standards, including structural repairs, plumbing, heating, electrical, fire safety and more.
Reshaping The Future Of Canadians With The Government Of Canadas Retirement Benefits For Seniors
No matter where you live in Canada, the federal, provincial and municipal government assistance programs and grants are reshaping the future of Canadians living at home. With Canadian Government grants for seniors home repairs available you could:
- Repair and maintain your home as per defined health and safety norms.
- Adapt your home to your mobility and assistance needs.
- Renovate your home and add a secondary suite to boost your financial independence.
If you are a Canadian 55+, or if you have an older family member who has chosen to stay at their residence independently, take advantage of the numerous grants for seniors to stay in their homes.
- Be aware of the federal benefits and services, as well as those in your specific province.
- Fill out the application forms download them from the programs website, or pick them up from the relevant service organizations office.
- Submit your application along with the necessary supporting documents required to validate your age, health or income.
Whether you qualify for some grants for seniors Canada or none of the grants listed above, there is another option that will allow you to age in place.
What can you use a reverse mortgage for?
Reverse mortgage customers can choose to use their reverse mortgage funds for anything they please. However, here are some of the most common use of funds:
- Home renovations
- Health care or medical expenses
- Gifting a family member/early inheritance
The Reverse Mortgage Facts You Need to Know!
Canada Pension Plan Survivors Pension And Death Benefits
The CPP survivor pension is a monthly payment paid to the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor. As the survivor, you are responsible for applying for your monthly pension. If you are incapable of applying, you may have a representative apply for you.
The death benefit is a one-time payment, payable to the estate or other eligible individuals, on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor. The childrens benefit is a monthly benefit for dependent children of a deceased contributor. Learn more.
Read Also: Government Programs For Elderly Homeowners
Financial Aid For Seniors Who Run Out Of Money In Ontario
There is a lot of support for seniors in Ontario, and the government is willing to provide supplemental funds to help them with the cost of living. However, it is important for seniors to plan ahead and have savings set aside for their retirement. No one wants to run out of money during their golden years. Make sure that you take good care of yourself and enjoy your time as a senior.
Canadian Government Grants For Seniors By Province
If you would like to renovate your home to make it more accessible so that you can live there longer, there are a number of grants available from the various provincial governments in Canada. Here is a listing by province of some of those grants. Please note that the following are all government programs that were current at the time of posting and are subject to change.
You May Like: Can You Donate Money To The Government
What Are The Eligible Expenses For This Tax Credit
Since the Home Security Tax Credit is designed to improve the life quality of retired seniors who wish to remain in the comfort of their homes, eligible expenses are consistent with that goal. With this financial assistance, seniors have the opportunity to improve their homes to make their day-to-day life easier and safer. To be eligible, each expense needs to meet these criteria.
Lets take a typical example. If you live at home with an elderly parent, you may be able to get a refund on your taxes for the completion of some home renovations or even the purchase of some special equipment. All you need to do is to demonstrate that those expenses were really intended to improve the mobility and/or functional autonomy of your elderly relative. The same applies to a senior living alone at home, for example.
More specifically, here is a list of good examples of eligible expenses for this tax credit :
- non-slip floors
- adjustment of the height of counters and cabinets
- installation of grab bars and handrails
- walk-in bathtubs
- replacement of faucets with hand-free automatic system
- toilet adapted to the appropriate height
- widening of doorways
Tell The Case Manager About Your Needs
Your case manager will tell you what services your Home and Community Care Support Services organization can provide and whats available in your community. Government-funded services are delivered by health professionals and personal support workers who are under contract with your Home and Community Care Support Services organization.
Read Also: Blu Government Phone Customer Service
Are You Eligible For These Government Grants
- Age: While most provinces define eligibility as someone who is 65 years or older, a few provinces have a lower threshold of 55 years. You must turn that age in the year of taxation, in order to be eligible to apply for any of the programs.
- Income: Your individual or familys combined annual income may be taken into account to establish your eligibility for the definition of low-income in your province.
Do check the specific qualifying criteria for each program on your provincial website. If you are a Veteran or a First Nations member, some additional incentives may also be applicable.
Are government benefits not getting you the cash you need? Find how much cash you can get with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage.
How To Apply For The Ontario Seniors Property Tax Grant
Simply fill out the Ont-BEN form along with the amount of property taxes you paid and file it with your income tax return.
Im not sure how many senior homeowners know about this property tax grant which is why I wanted to talk about it.
I had no idea about it when filing my mother-in-laws income tax return two years ago.
It wasnt until I was doing research online about tax credits for seniors that I came across the Trillium Benefits and Property Tax incentive.
Even if you dont owe income tax to the government you may still qualify for the grant so fill out the form.
The worst that will happen is that you have been declined the grant but at least you filled it out and submitted it.
You May Like: How Many Times Can You File Bankruptcy In Your Lifetime
Recommended Reading: Are There Really Free Government Grants
Inpatient And Outpatient Services At Hospitals
There are over 85 hospitals across the province that have inpatient psychiatry beds that provide acute, short-term treatment for people with mental illness.
A number of the provinces specialty psychiatric hospitals have inpatient beds that provide treatment for seniors with serious mental illness who have longer-term hospitalization needs. Many of these facilities also have outpatient mental health programs for seniors with mental illness, including day treatment programs and outpatient clinics.
In the case of a psychiatric emergency, contact or go to the hospital emergency department nearest you.
To access hospital-based psychiatric services for seniors, contact your family doctor.
Some Home and Community Care Support Services may also offer mental health services for seniors.
To contact Home and Community Care Support Services, you can call
What Happens When A Senior Runs Out Of Money In Ontario
As we age, our financial needs increase many people end up becoming broke. So, what happens when a senior runs out of money in Ontario?
If an Ontario senior runs out of money, they may be eligible for social assistance. This type of assistance is provided by the government to individuals who are unable to support themselves financially.
There are a few different types of social assistance available in Ontario, and each program has its own eligibility requirements.
Some common programs include the
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- Ontario Works Program
- Seniors Home Repair Program
Each program has different benefits that may be available to seniors, such as financial assistance, help finding a job, or help with housing costs.
It is important to note that not all seniors will be eligible for every program, and that each program has its own set of rules and regulations.
If you want to know what to do when you run out of money in Ontario as a senior, continue reading.
Recommended Reading: Government Help For New Small Business
Integrating Other Loss Mitigation Expertise
The State of New York is incorporating a special case management team of attorneys with deep subject matter expertise in loss mitigation into its program. This team supports applicants through the loss mitigation process, especially helping to identify situations in which loss mitigation may be advanced by using HAF funds to pay off arrears or reduce the principal of the existing mortgage.
Free Home Repair For Seniors Disabled Veterans & Low
Below, Ive included a list of places you can find free home repairs if you are a senior citizen, veteran or low income. This includes government freebies& programs and charities that help with home repairs.
Need Easy Extra $300+/Month for Free?Panel PaydayInboxDollarsDaily Goodie BoxBranded SurveysTolunaSwagbucks
Also Check: Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cover Student Loans
Recommended Reading: Where To Find Government Rfps
Affordable Housing For Seniors
For seniors, maintaining independence is very important. At Volunteer of America, we provide housing for seniors who want to live independent lifestyles where they can thrive and age in place. Our senior residents deserve the quality of life that they desire and our commitment to service-enriched housing offers them just that.
Service Coordinator programs are located within most of our senior housing communities and they enhance the quality of life for residents in our communities by enabling seniors to live independently and longer in their own homes and improve the quality of their lives by linking them with supportive services within the community.
You May Like: Government Grants For Stroke Victims
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program On
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers financial assistance to First Nations and First Nation members to repair substandard homes to a minimum level of health and safety through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program. First Nations or individual First Nation members that require major repairs to their homes may be eligible to apply. The total household income must be at or below the established income threshold for their area. Learn more.
Recommended Reading: Get Your Government Off My Medicare
Home And Vehicle Modification Program
Run by the Ontario March of Dimes, this program provides funding for basic home and/or vehicle modifications so that people with mobility restrictions can continue to live safely in their homes and participate in their communities. If youre eligible you can apply for:
- up to $15,000 for home modifications
- up to $15,000 every ten years for vehicle modifications
The Ontario Seniors Home Safety Tax credit can also help seniors with mobility-related disabilities or impairments to live safely in their homes.
Old Age Security Pension
If you are 65 years of age or older and have lived in Canada for 10 years or more after turning 18, you can apply for the OAS pension which provides monthly benefits to eligible Canadians. You dont have to be retired to receive the basic OAS pension. You might receive a letter that lets you know that you will receive the OAS pension. You will need to apply for the OAS pension if you get a letter asking you to apply or if information in the letter you receive is incorrect.
If you are a low- income senior, you may be eligible for other benefits as early as age 60. If you lived or worked in another country that has a social security agreement with Canada, you may be eligible for benefits from Canada or from the other country. Learn more.
Recommended Reading: Government Jobs For Political Science Majors
Rent Supplements And Housing Allowances
Rent supplements and housing allowances are forms of rental assistance that can help people pay their rent. A rent supplement is a subsidy paid to the landlord on behalf of a household in need of rental assistance. A housing allowance is a subsidy paid directly to a household in need of rental assistance.
The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative has a rental assistance component that provides rent supplements and/or housing allowances. The OPHI program is administered by local municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards, designated as Service Managers.
Those interested in the rental assistance component are encouraged to contact their local Service Manager directly to find out if it is available in a specific community, as well as local eligibility criteria and program details.
Find a list of Ontarios Service Managers and the communities they serve.
Government Assistance For Home Renovation For Seniors
Since the baby boomers era, we fretted over the responsibility of taking care of the largest group of seniors in the world at one time. For decades, governments debated about the best options for senior care, and the discussion is just as relevant today.
Some families with busy schedules may opt for retirement homes for their aging relatives. Some families may invite their elderly parents to live in their homes and provide care themselves. But what social initiatives are governments implementing to keep our seniors safe?
Don’t Miss: Magruder’s American Government Audiobook
More On Energy Crisis
The ECO scheme, which is already in place, focuses on low-income and vulnerable households.
Mr Shapps told Sky News: This money is for people who have not been able to benefit from the previous schemes and will help hundreds of thousands of homes.
Public information campaign on how to reduce energy use
A new £18m public information campaign will also offer advice on how to reduce energy use in the home.
Guidance to be published on the help for households website said reducing boiler flow temperatures from 75C to 60C and turning down radiators in empty rooms could save a typical household £160 a year.
Mr Shapps said he had turned down the boiler flow temperature at his ow home.
This is not your thermostat. This is in the boiler itself. And it can potentially save you a lot of money, he said.
So its actually simple tips like that which we will be announcing and theres an £18m campaign to back that as well. So lots of practical help physically improving peoples homes and also tips to make sure that people are able to save themselves money by being more efficient in the homes.
A previous attempt to introduce such a campaign was blocked by Liz Trusss administration over concerns it was too nanny state.
The government has set an ambition of reducing energy use by 15% by 2030 as it battles spiking energy prices caused by Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine.
Sunak wants to crawl towards warmer homes
Funding not nearly enough
Read Also: How Much Debt Should I Have
Integrating Housing Counseling And Plain Language Education Materials
Treasury has encouraged all HAF programs to integrate housing counseling services into HAF program plans. Housing counselors are fluent in the various options available to homeowners and can also help homeowners assess their financial situation holistically, often providing budgeting support and referrals to other available resources.
The State of Kentucky has developed a plain-language explainer video, available in English and Spanish, entitled Know Your Options: COVID-19 Loss Mitigation Options. The video walks the viewer through the relative advantages and tradeoffs between loss mitigation and HAF options for homeowners through the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This video outlines key questions the potential applicant should ask themselves and encourages engagement with their servicer. All HAF applicants in Kentucky are also paired with a HUD-certified housing counselor who helps the homeowner to assess and understand options. Housing counseling agencies walk the borrowers through their loss mitigation options. If the homeowner has exhausted, is ineligible for, or wishes to bypass loss mitigation options, and is also eligible for HAF, the housing counselor proceeds to process their HAF application.
Recommended Reading: Government Grants For Clean Energy
Finding Appropriate Housing In Your Area
Of course, your final decision on a facility will depend on more than cost alone. Youll want to find a community that fits the needs of your loved one in a convenient location that will also keep them happy and fulfilled each day. HUD has compiled an exhaustive multifamily inventory of housing units for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Though not all housing units qualify as assisted living, they are all subsidized HUD housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. You can click the link for your state, and begin to make inquiries at locations that sound promising.
