Seniors BC – Benefits

Benefits

This section lists all the benefits discussed in other parts of the web site. Some of these are specifically for seniors; others are not restricted by age, but are of interest to seniors. Some of these programs are generally available, while others have eligibility criteria.

The benefits are organized by topic:

How can SeniorsBC.ca improve?

Active Aging
Finances
Healthcare
Housing
Legal Issues
Transportation

For other listings of seniors’ benefits, see the website of the Seniors’ Services Society or CanadaBenefits.gc.ca, a website of the federal government.

Active Aging

Education

Post-Secondary Tuition. Reduced or free tuition at some institutions.
English Language Training. Beginner-level English as a Second Language courses for new immigrants and refugees.

Physical Activity

OsteoFit. Classes to improve strength, balance and coordination, especially for people with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Facilities offering Osteofit classes set the cost of the programs depending on number of participants and number of classes. Find a Class.

Recreation

Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Seniors. Reduced rates for hunting and fishing licences.
Campsite Discounts. Reduced campsite fees outside of peak season.
Royal BC Museum. Reduced admission rates.

Finances

Income Security

Old Age Security Pension (OAS). A universal old-age pension for all citizens and landed immigrants.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Additional support for low-income seniors.
Allowance Program/Allowance for the Survivor. Support of spouses and common-law partners of GIS recipients.
Canada Pension Plan. A retirement pension for eligible persons, funded by employer and employee contributions.
B.C. Senior’s Supplement. Additional support for eligible GIS recipients.
B.C. Income Assistance for Seniors Not Receiving Old Age Security. Income assistance for seniors not covered by OAS or GIS, based on income, assets and other factors.
Employment Insurance. Benefits for individuals in the workforce who lose their jobs
Veterans’ Benefits. Disability benefits and other benefits for veterans.

Income Tax

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) options. RRSP options at age 71.
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) . Setting up and managing a RRIF.
Common tax credits for seniors. Based on age, disability, medical expenses and other factors.
Attendant-care expenses. Tax-deductible expenses for attendant care in a retirement home.
Pension-income splitting. Splitting eligible pension income with a spouse or common-law partner.
Help with your tax return. Free volunteer help filing income tax returns.

Property Taxes

Home Owner Grants. Grants for owner-occupiers and senior owner-occupiers to reduce property taxes.
Property Tax Deferment. Deferral of property taxes on a main residence.

Tax Credits

BC HST Credit. Quarterly payments for people on low and modest incomes.
BC Seniors' Home Renovation Tax Credit. Renovation tax credit to help B.C. seniors stay in their own homes.
British Columbia Sales Tax Credit. Yearly payments for low-income individuals.
British Columbia Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit. Yearly payments to offset carbon taxes for low-income individuals.
Other Tax Credits.

Healthcare

Assistive Devices

Personal Supports Program. Equipment and assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

Home and Community Care

Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL). Financial aid for home support services.
Veterans Independence Program (Federal government). Housekeeping and personal care services for veterans.

Medical Services

Regular Premium Assistance. Reduced Medical Services Plan premiums, based on income.
Temporary Premium Assistance. Temporary elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums, for individuals facing financial hardship.
Gold CareCard. Proof of age for many special discounts and benefits.
Medical Services Only (MSO) Program. Coverage of various medical costs, (including the Medical Services Plan and PharmaCare) for eligible low-income individuals.
Fair PharmaCare Plan. Partial coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, based on income.

Medical Transportation

Travel Assistance Program. Discounts for medically necessary travel.
Health Connections. Subsidized medical transportation for residents of rural British Columbia.
Transportation for Cancer Treatments. Free transportation by volunteer drivers.

Specific Conditions

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Free six-week programs on several chronic health conditions.
Hearing Loss. Free classes teaching speech reading (“lip reading”) and other coping skills.

Housing

Homeowners

Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI). Financial support for adaptations to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities remain in their homes.
Property Taxes. See Finances.

Rental and Affordable Housing

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program. Rent subsidies for low-income seniors.

Supported Housing Options

Seniors’ Supportive Housing. Specially designed rental homes in subsidized housing.
Independent Living BC. Supportive housing that may include meals, housekeeping, recreational opportunities and personal care.

Legal Issues

Legal Services Society. Free legal advice and legal services for qualifying individuals.

Transportation

Driving

Automobile Insurance Discounts. Discounts off basic Autoplan insurance rates.
Driver’s Licences. Selected ICBC services at reduced rates or no cost.
Mature Driver Workshops. Free workshops to help mature drivers.
Licence Plates for Veterans. Specialty licence plates for veterans.

Ferries

BC Ferries. Free or reduced-rate travel on most sailings.

Public Transit

Seniors’ Fare Discounts. Reduced fares on public transit.
Bus Pass Program. A reduced-rate yearly bus pass.
Community Travel Training Program. Free lessons on using public transit for people with reduced mobility.
Special Transportation Subsidy. Subsidized transportation for people unable to use regular public transit due to a disability.
HandyCard. Reduced fares on TransLink (Metro Vancouver) for people with disabilities.
Greyhound and VIA Rail. Reduced rates for seniors on intercity buses and trains.

Taxis and Shuttles

HandyDART Custom Transit. Door-to-door transportation for people who have difficulty using regular public transit.
Taxi Saver Program. A taxi discount for eligible HandyDART users.
Elders Transportation Program. A travel subsidy for B.C. Aboriginal Elders to attend the Annual Elders Gathering.
Medical Transportation. See Healthcare.

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