One-time payments and help for seniors during COVID-19 pandemic

Legal & Financial, Planning

By Lori Russell

COVID-19 has invaded all aspects of our lives, including our financial situation. The federal government, in response, has provided one-time payments and help for seniors (65 +). This, in turn, helps adult daughters and sons because many consistently pay for some of their parents’ expenses.  This financial assistance is reviewed and explained in terms of eligibility, amounts and application process. A review of  Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is also provided.

COVID-19 and increased costs for seniors

  • Food price increases (because of supply chain disruptions)
  • Transportation and delivery costs
  • Increase in prescription medication fees

Summary of COVID related federal aid to seniors

  • GST credit
  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), also available to seniors who were working and lost income during COVID
  • RRIF flexibility AND
  • As of May 31st, there will be a one-time payment for seniors who receive OAS and GIS benefit.

OAS AND GIS one-time, tax-free payment for eligible seniors (65 +)

  • $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension
  • $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Seniors who receive both the OAS pension and the GIS will be eligible for both payments for a total one-time payment of $500.

If you are already receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), you do not have to apply for this new one-time payment. It will be automatically paid to eligible seniors as of May 31st, 2020.

What is Old Age Security (OAS)?

The OAS program is a federal funded monthly available to seniors over the age of 65 who meet the requirements.  Individuals do not have to pay into it directly, unlike the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

If you did not receive a letter from Service Canada ( a month after turning 64) informing you that you were selected for automatic enrollment, you must apply for the OAS pension.

What is Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to Old Age Security (OAS) pension recipients who have a low income and are living in Canada. To be eligible, individuals must be receiving OAS and their annual income must be lower than “maximum annual threshold” .

In March, 2020, there were 6.5 million seniors receiving old age security payments and 2.1 million receiving GIS payments.  That means that almost 1/3 of Canadian seniors are low-income! No wonder that Canadian caregivers are spending, on average, $275 per month on out-of pocket expenses like prescription dispensing feeds, transportation, and meals.

Get that income tax filed!

Eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is reviewed every year and is based on the applicant’s (or couple’s) net income in the previous calendar year. Payments can increase, decrease or even cease according to reported changes in annual net income.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has temporarily extended GIS supplements without this income tax assessment. All seniors, however, are encouraged to complete and file their 2019 income tax as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2020. Why wait? For simple tax filings, it is possible to have it completed for FREE by community volunteers or tax clinics over the phone or by video conference.

The importance of income tax completion can’t be overstated. Much of the financial aid for seniors (including at the provincial and municipal level) requires this as a way to verify income.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit

The one-time payment doubled the annual GST/HST credit amounts for the 2019-2020 benefit year (2018 tax year).

You will have received the one-time special GST/HST credit payment amount automatically (April 2020) if you normally receive the GST/HST credit and have filed a 2018 tax return. An average payment of $375 for single seniors and $510 for senior couples was provided to almost 85 per cent of single seniors and almost half of senior couples.

Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF) flexibility

In Canada, Registered Retirement Savings (RRSP)Plans have to be converted to either a RRIF or a registered annuity before the end of the year you turn 71. Individuals must withdraw at least the required minimum amount annually from your RRIF, starting in the year after you set it up.

For 2020, the federal government has reduced the minimum withdrawal by 25 %. The intention is to preserve assets during these pandemic times when the market is so volatile.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

This is a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers, including seniors, who have lost their income due to COVID-19. Pension income does not affect eligibility to the CERB. The government also extended the eligibility of this benefit to individuals who earn up to $1,000 per month.

Questions? Contact MP’s constituency office

If your parents are eligible for this COVID related financial assistance from the federal government, and have not received it, the quickest route to resolution is to have your parents contact the local constituency office of their federal Member of Parliament (MP). Without a Power of Attorney, you won’t be able to do this for them unless you are calling with general questions. If you are unsure of the contact information for the MP, here is a list of current MPs, which you can search by Postal code.

Let us know how this government assistance has helped your parents during this pandemic.

101 thoughts on “One-time payments and help for seniors during COVID-19 pandemic”

  1. I am a senior and my kids do not help nor do I want the abusive brats to do so!! I am grateful for tje help I get from OAS/GIS AT THIS TIME. THANKS!

  2. There are some seniors with ODSP. They are not eligible for this one time payment. My mother is one of them.

  3. I did not receive my extra Gains suppliment and I am eligable. How do I rectify this.

  4. when exactly canwe expect this one time payment

  5. It is for the month of June, so May 31st or as early as the 29th of May

  6. It is best to contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance and inform them (and hopefully get it rectified) at:

    1-866-ONTTAXS (6688297)

  7. I’m glad that your helping seniors but wat about odsp an ontario works do to the increase of food an stuff personal high jean the prices an inflation are ridiculous high its hard life really hard im having a hard time for food an i need a special diet thank you for reading this an i hope u do something about the situation thank you

  8. I’m on ODSP and CPP together monthly I get $1280.00 everything has gone up. Why are we not entitled to any money.
    I have to pay for masks plus gloves and hand sanitizer. I got an extra $100.00 from ODSP that was the end of March

  9. What about people like myself on cpp disability isn’t there any help for us.

    Thank You

  10. I don’t believe there is any assistance for people like yourself on CPP disability. If this does happen, I will let you know. Take care.

  11. Yes, it is unfortunate that those on ODSP are not eligible for this one-time payment. One option is to call your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to express your concerns. Take good care.

  12. sherry gambin walsh tells me this info is not true because it is not from the frderal govt web site,,,can you explain that to me please& thanks ,,DIANE BURSEY

  13. Actually, this information is indeed from the federal government. There are links in the article. It’s good to check these things.

  14. I did not receive the 500.00 extra on my pension for the end of May.

  15. Yes, while the one-time payment is for seniors eligible for June OAS/GIS payment, the government has stated that the payment will be “as soon as possible”. I truly hope you receive this payment soon! Take good care.

  16. I am hoping that seniors on a low income widows will get a fair substantial increase in July 2020, in their oas, try living on 21000 today, just not enough. I believe this was one of Prime Minister Trudeau’s promises.

  17. Just wondering if I am entitled to the one time payment for the OAS and GIS payments

  18. I have worked and saved all my life, paid taxes on everything, Now with Covid 19 I pay more for many items yet the Federal Government has not helped me at all. I am being overlooked because I have been careful with my wages. Federal Government seems to be handing our cash left and right however nothing for a senior who still saves and does without in order to be safe and healthy, thanks for nothing.

  19. I turn 65 June 1 , am I eligible for the 300.00 and do I have to apply for it?

  20. what about persons that retired at age 60 .. we have expenses too …

  21. When will payments actually be made? All I can see so far is ….in the coming weeks. Thankful for the additional payment and only hope that is may be briefly extended.

  22. If someone is receiving the widows pension would they get and increase due to the covid 19. Like the elderly r getting

  23. Thank you very much for the $300 dollars that we are about to receive. However, the cost of medications is horrendous. My husband is unemployed and he has rheumatoid arthritis; three weeks ago he paid for his medications: $550 for the three months , which puts us on a shoestring budget. $300 per month would be much more helpful.

  24. If you DO NOT recevie GIS do you have to apply for the senior relief, your description says if you are receiving GIS & OAS you do not have to apply nothing is said if you only receive OAS.

  25. i never received any extra and i receive old age security. coreine paul

  26. Yes, I understand there is a delay. The government has stated that it will be deposited “as soon as possible”. Thanks for letting us know.

  27. You do NOT have to apply if you are only receiving OAS. Please note that the government has not yet deposited this money and has stated it will do so “as soon as possible”.

  28. Yes, the government has stated it will be “as soon as possible”.I also hope it will be extended.

  29. No, you do not have to apply for it. Please note, however, that this money hasn’t yet been deposited into people’s accounts. The government has stated that it will be deposited “as soon as possible”. Take care.

  30. If you are currently receiving OAS, you will be entitled to this one-time payment. Please note that this money hasn’t yet been deposited into people’s accounts. The government has stated that it will do so “as soon as possible”. Take good care.

  31. I understand your concerns, because of course you have expenses too. I do not believe there are any one-time payments available for retirees per se. This benefit is for those who are 65 years and older.

  32. I am sorry to relay that this one-time payment is for those who receive OAS and GIS, and doesn’t apply, at this time, to those who are receiving a widow’s pension/survivor’s pension.

  33. Today is June 1st-I did not receive the one time payment. I’m a recepient of OAS & GIS
    Edna Hewitt

  34. Yes, I am sorry to hear that. The payments haven’t been deposited yet. The government has stated that they will be depositing them “as soon as possible”.

  35. I receive old age pension, but do not think I got this extra benefit, could you please check on this for me. I was born March 11/54

    thank you

    Wanda Corneal

  36. Hi Wanda,

    Hang in there!! Ideally, it was supposed to be deposited with the June cheques, but it wasn’t. The government has stated that it will be “as soon as possible”. Take good care.

  37. It’s good that you are helping the seniors but what about people with disabilities that are not 65 ….costs went up for them as well….so far anybody working got help and fishermen and small businesses large businesses students and seniors, families as well ….but I didn’t hear anything for people with disabilities….

  38. This $500 pension top-up was not paid May 31st nor June 1st. CRA website says it’ll be out with June payments

  39. What’s the date for the seniors check to be deposit

  40. Well, it was designated for the June pension payment but it has not yet happened. The government has stated that it will be deposited “as soon as possible”.

  41. Yes, you are exactly right. The government has stated that the one-time payments will be deposited “as soon as possible”.

  42. I am on Canada Pension plan Disability, I am 57 years old, I made 11,000$ last year, I have stage 4 LGSC ( ovarian cancer). I didn’t qualify for Cerb, GST or any of the governments help. It truly sucks, I can no longer work and my husband has been off work since the middle of March., doesn’t qualify for UI as he works in New York and we live in Ontario. What are we to do?

  43. I am 62and on surviver benefit does this onevtime payment apply to me to help me

  44. I turn 65 June 1st. Am I eligible for the 300.00

  45. I will be 65 on July 27, do I qualify for the one time payment?

  46. What happened to the money for the seniors that was being paid our according to you on the 31st of May

  47. Sure takes a long time for seniors to receive anything (piddley as it is) and other money is doled out within 3 days. This is certainly not fair.

  48. The government has stated “as soon as possible”. The hope was that it would be deposited for the June pension payment…fingers crossed it will be soon!

  49. Yes, and the government is stating it will be deposited “as soon as possible”. Hopefully it will be this month!

  50. The government has stated that this money will be deposited “as soon as possible”. The intention was to deposit it with the June pension payments.

  51. I am sorry to report that it doesn’t apply to you. This one-time payment is for those who are on OAS, which requires you to be 65 +.

  52. I understand it is frustrating. The government has stated it will be deposited “as soon as possible”.

  53. To be honest, I am not sure. It was intended for the June pension payment, but it has not yet been deposited. You can call and check this out at Toll-free: 1-800-277-9914. To be identified you will need to provide your Social Insurance Number.

    The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday.

  54. I am not sure. The best thing to do is to call Service Canada for this information. They will ask for your Social Insurance Number as identification. The number is Toll-free: 1-800-277-9914

    The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday.

  56. Hi Adele. I am wondering whether your husband is aware of the Trillium Drug Program. If eligible, this would reduce the costs of his medications, which I understand are quite high. Here is the link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-coverage-prescription-drugs. You could also call your pharmacist and ask about programs that provide coverage for prescription drugs. Good luck!

  57. Hi Debbie,

    I understand your frustration. To date, the government hasn’t offered any one-time payments for people with disabilities. You could call your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) if it is a provincial disability pension or Member of Parliament (MP) if it is CPP disability, to raise your concerns.

  58. I am wundering when my wife and I will receive this payment.

  59. Ideally, it was to be deposited for the June pension payment. The government has stated that it will be deposited “as soon as possible”. I am sorry I cannot give you an exact date. Take good care, Jane

  60. Not sure how the date of May 31st was identified.
    Non of my friends or my family including myself have not received a dime extra.
    Maybe Mr Trudeau forgot to sign the approval or forgot on purpose as he doesn’t care about Canadian seniors. Why has he not increased the pension as promised in the last eclection, he said we would get $800 more a year, have not received a dime of that either.
    Trudeau words can not be TRUSTED

  61. The federal government has now stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you, Jane

  62. The federal government stated today that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you

  63. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you

  64. The federal government has stated this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you

  65. Hi Sheila,

    The government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you

  66. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  67. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  68. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  69. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  70. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  71. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  72. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  73. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  74. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  75. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  76. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  77. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  78. The federal government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Thank you.

  79. Hello there.

    The federal government stated today (confirmed on website) the money for eligible seniors will be deposited the week of July 6th.

    Take good care

  80. Myself and my wife did not receive the April one time supplement. I am using a friend’s computer as I do not have one. My name is Donald Payne and my wife Lauretta Payne. My birthday is April 8 1942.

    Sincerely Don

  81. Hello.

    The best thing to do is contact Service Canada and inquire about this. You will need your Social Insurance Number for this conversation. The number is: 1-800-277-9914

  82. It says that Senior’s eligible for OAS and GIS received payment last May 31st, 2020. How come I didn’t receive any of what it said? Kindly reply.

  83. Hi violeta,

    The government has stated that this money will be deposited the week of July 6th.

  84. I have not received any financial help from Clovid 19 and do receive Pension every month and the disability tax credit also. Why was I missed with Clovid 19 help?

  85. If eligible to receive OAS or OAS and GIS in June, the government has stated that they will deposit this money into accounts the week of July 6th.

  86. I did not receive the first 300.00 paymeni

  87. The best thing to do is contact Service Canada and inquire about this. You will need your Social Insurance Number for this conversation. The number is: 1-800-277-9914

  88. I understand that seniors receiving OAS were to receive a pandemic payment of $300 a few months ago.

    I believe my wife, Katherine Cook, and I are eligible for such a payment, but I don’t think we have received it.

    Could someone please check this? As of May 31st I was 72 and my wife, 70.

    Hamar Foster

  89. Hi Hamar,

    Because of privacy and confidentiality, we are unable to do this for you. The best thing to do is contact Service Canada and inquire about this. You will need your Social Insurance Number for this conversation. The number is: 1-800-277-9914.

    Take good care, Jane

  90. Was there SUPPOSE to be a one time old age pension in the amt of $300.00 on Oct.30, 2020 as my neighbor had just received his check although he is on direct deposit. I know about the one in July and was received through direct deposit but no sign of this one. Could you please explain Why?
    Thank you
    Janis

  91. Hi Janis,

    There was a disability pension payment made in October, not an Old Age pension one. Hope that clears it up for you!

  92. I did not received my 300.00 senior payment that was paid Oct.30/2020, my husband received his but I didn’t, who do I contact for that?

  93. Hi Rachelle,

    There was a disability pension payment made in October, not an Old Age pension one. Hope that clears it up for you!

  94. Actually, there wasn’t a senior payment in October. This payment was for those who have a disability pension (who could also be a senior). Hope that clears it up.

    Take good care, Jane

  95. how come my husband and I receive nothing

  96. Hi Lynn,

    I don’t have enough information to be able to answer that question. You can check with your local MPP’s office.

    Take good care, Jane

  97. I believe there are many seniors living on a very stricked budget. It’s sad work for years paying into our pension and we live so little. Please please do something for us???? ???

  98. While we aren’t an arm of the government, we certainly advocate for seniors at Elizz, and will continue to do so. Take good care.

  99. last year I was 64 and someone tell me I’m not eligible for one payment COVID -19 for senior because I’m not 65,now I’m 65 and what happen with help for COVID -19 now ,available for help and get one payment or not

  100. How come seniors dont get another $300 one time payment this year its not fair there giving 75 year olds a $500 one time payment but we get nothing.

  101. My wife is getting spousal Allowance, why is she not elligible GIS one-time, tax-free payment for eligible seniors.
    Deb

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