The Federal Government is adding additional support for seniors during COVID-19.
Seniors will now be eligible for a one-time tax-free payment of $300 who qualify for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
An additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
The Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte says that this additional support was necessary.
She adds that it will easy for seniors to access the fund.
Close to 85 percent of single seniors and almost half of senior couples benefited from this payment. This has to lead to Minister Schulte to say that the Federal Government has become more aware of the needs of seniors.
Included in the support are investments into programs that will help seniors access basic needs.
The government will be expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.
Finally, Minister Schulte says that the government will continue to evaluate the needs of people during COVID-19.
There are currently 6.7 million seniors who are eligible for the OAS pension and 2.2 million who are eligible for the GIS.
