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If you’re a senior, you may receive up to $500 in support from the Government of Canada. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility and coverage.
What is the payment?
The payment provides:
- $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension
- An additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
That means the payment could provide up to $500 in financial support to help cover increased costs (i.e. grocery delivery fees, increased prescription costs, etc.) caused by COVID-19.
Eligibility:
The one-time payment for seniors is available to anyone who is eligible to receive the Old Age Security pension (for the $300), or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (for the $200). In both cases, you must be eligible for the June 2020 payment.
- If you have not automatically been enrolled in the OAS program you will have to apply.
- If you are already enrolled in the OAS program, you will receive the GIS automatically, if you qualify.
- The GIS provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to recipients of the OAS whose income is under a certain threshold.
- This is automatically calculated (meaning you don’t need to apply), but you can find out more about how the “maximum annual threshold” is calculated on the Government of Canada website.
Do I need to apply? How and when will I receive the payment?
You don’t need to apply. If you are eligible, you will automatically receive the one-time payment.
If you are enrolled for Direct Deposit, the payment will be deposited directly into your account. If you are not enrolled for Direct Deposit, you can expect to receive a cheque with the payment.
- The Government of Canada recommends that you sign up for Direct Deposit as you will get your deposit more quickly.
There is no specific date or waiting time for the payment. You will receive the payment as soon as possible.
What else to know:
- The payment is tax-free.
- If you and your spouse are both eligible, you will each receive payments (up to $500 each).
- You can find more information on the Government of Canada website.
We hope this information was helpful to you!
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- How to apply for BC Housing’s BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program
- Under financial stress? Watch out for loans that ask for a fee upfront
Look through all of our COVID-19 related information on our website.
Where do we fit in?
Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsible for some very specific transactions in BC. We aren’t experts on COVID-19. We won’t – and shouldn’t – ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help people navigate the current reality. We don’t have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.
About Consumer Protection BC:
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
This “one time” payment to seniors is a slap in the face…. you should be ashamed!!
I totally agree with you, they like to give to all these immigrants but not to our own people CANADIANS
why ? what huge amount did the immigrants receive?
slap in the face???Are you not getting your usual payments each month? People that lost their jobs are getting zip…nothing…except for the amounts the government is paying for so many weeks
Well I do get oas and his. I got my regular payment. Nothing else. I did not get the extra 500 or even 300 like promised by the govt . So when will I receive it?
Hi Sherlene, there is no specific date or waiting time for the payment. You will receive the payment as soon as possible.
when will the disability be paid and is not good that it takes so long to pay for people with disabilitys
Hi Philip, thank you for asking a question here. Are you talking about the one-time COVID-19 payment for seniors? If so you may want to contact the Old Age Security program administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. They have various contact information on their website and you can access it by clicking here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html. Or are you talking about disability assistance payments? If so you can contact the BC government by calling 1-866-866-0800. I hope one of the offices will be able to assist you with your payment.
Yes I thought it would be paid when our May checks for old age were deposited
June 6 is date it is paid
Today the prime minister said it will be paid July 6.
Would be nice to know when this payment is coming. Why is there no date when we will get it.
Announced today payments will be paid in July.
it gets direct deposit the week of July 6th, this is on the govt website
It was not to be implemented til July, so check on your account from now on. Make sure you qualify.
We have not received our $300 senior payments & it is July 17 2020. Why not? Have our cheque’s been stolen?
We are Canadians, born & bred. We receive both CPP & OAS deposited to our bank accounts.
What the heck does “as soon as possible” mean? That is crap. this “assistance” was announced a month ago, an we still have no idea when we might receive it
It would appear that I am entitled to a one time grant of $500.00 (OAP + GAIN) which I now receive form the Federal Government (CAnada) {retired at 60}
When will we receive this money?
Hi Karen, there is no specific date or waiting time for the payment. You will receive the payment as soon as possible if you are eligible.
Yes when
the CRA says the week of July 6th
To date (June 1) We have not received this benefit. When can we expect it?
Hi Corinne, there is no specific date or waiting time for the payment. You will receive the payment as soon as possible if you are eligible.
Today is August 5 and we still haven’t received our $300.00. We are signed up sot Direct Deposit and our OAS. CPP have managed to arrive into our account. What could have happened
Hi Joan and Matt – I looked around to see if I can find any contact information specific to this benefits program but I haven’t been able to. The only other place that you may want to try contacting would be the Old Age Security program administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. They have various contact information on their website and you can access it by clicking here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html. I hope they will be able to help you!
We qualify and still haven’t received this one time payment either. So how to communicate this to the powers that be?! It’s August 7.
Hello Ann and George, I’ve mentioned to others on this comment thread but we do not administer the benefits program so I wouldn’t be able to help you much. Having said that, you could to ty contacting the Old Age Security program administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. They have various contact information on their website and you can access it by clicking here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html. I hope they will be able to help you!
The week of July 6th so anytime this week, keep checking your bank if you get direct deposit
I will be 65 in November, am I eligible for this thank you
Hi Barb, if you are eligible for the OAS (which you may need to apply for), you will be eligible for this one-time payment.
My husband turned 65 in the middle of June 2020. OAS says he is not eligible because he did not qualify for OAS until the month AFTER his birthday which was July
and OAS says it is only offered until June 2020. Where do we appeal that decision?
Hi Shirley, since this one-time payment is such a unique program related to COVID-19, I am not sure if you would be able to appeal how the qualification is set. You may want to reach out to OAS again and see if you can talk to someone different or ask who you need to appeal to. I’m sorry that I can’t suggest any other ideas, Shirley.
For the last 3 months I have expeted this money, and now it is June (supposedly). I appreciate the generosity but they have been disappointing us, who need it most, every month. Cruel
What is the GIS Threshold?
Hi Linda, more information on the GIS threshold can be found here.
Thank you for clarifying this. I understood it would just be sent, but now I know.
As soon as possible??? My groceries and medications are needed as soon as possible!! When?
Just another example of how this government and country treat their seniors. We need a pandemic to show how seniors are treated in care homes around the country. Businesses, productive workers and even political parties can apply for and have already received several payment benefits and yet the unproductive seniors in this country, the ones who are a drain on the society are offered a one time pittance payment “as soon as possible” sometime in the future. What a joke. We don’t even buy green bananas and we’re expected to sit and wait for yet another government promise to be fulfilled.
How did you pay for your groceries and meds before the coronavirus? I look at the amount I received as a bonus…I am not missing a paycheck like others
are…In my account 3 days before the end of the month…
The govt is ignoring seniors needs & new comers etc get more than seniors who have lived here most of their lives. The OAS was initially for senior who had other source of income. You can google the OAS to see what &how it was to be. Now all seniors regardless of need get it &supposedly it is flawed back if there is other income. Too many seniors have monthly income under $2,000 a month & this is so wrong as many in their working years there were no pension plans medical coverage etc. Politicians are always saying they support seniors but nothing is done. Many seniors would like to stay in their own homes it is more cost effective but even that is a financial problem for many with costs the way they are. Covid 19 has pointed out the plight of seniors now let’s see govt immediately raise pensions so that no senior is living on less than $2,000 a month &wxpand health care for them. It’s time to start letter writing to all MPs &put pressure on the govt
I was expecting to get the payment with this month’s pension, but it didn’t appear.
Now that I’ve read your answer to other pensioners about this matter, I shall wait patiently. Thank you.
I wonder if we will get the usual cost-of-living increase July this year.
Cost of living is based on inflation among other factors and inflation is down mainly because of lower gas prices so no increase is expected.
Can I ask why the government has not given this same monies to those on Canada Pension Plan Disability but are not old enough to get the OAS?
Hi Debbie, I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to your question. So you’re aware, we have no oversight over the COVID-19 related benefits provided by the Federal Government. For more information on CPP, please contact Service Canada directly.
Excellent question. I receive under $800 month on CPP disability and feel we should get something too.
So disappointed to see so many disgruntled seniors! I am one and also make under $2,000.00/month and my son is on disability. We get our Rx’s at Costco..you don’r need a membership to use their pharmacy. We received our entire 3 months of meds, which are cheaper and pay a much lower dispensing fee than many of the drug stores! Save enough to actually use a cab to get them too! (If need be). Grocery prices have definitely gone up, but gas has gone down. I am grateful for the extra money from the government ( extra GST, now this payment) knowing that they didn’t have to do this! Thanks again!
I have a question just to be clear in my own mind. I receive my work pension, and CPP, but I chose to hold off on applying for OAS, last year when I turned 65. So, currently I am NOT receiving OAS..Because I am ‘eligible’ to receive it, I am to now Apply for the COVID-19 payment, but that I do not have to apply for my OAS just to get the one time payment. Is that correct? Thanks in advance.
Hi Alana, from my understanding you will have to apply to the OAS program. You may want to contact Service Canada to confirm.
Last month he said we would have it this month. Trudeau is now saying sometime in July. I will believe it when I see it.
Does the Government not realize that seniors while not seeing a reduction in their monthly cheque’s, saw food prices rise on just about everything especially meat! Now a lot of businesses starting up are passing along a covid cost to their customers!! Hairdressers in particular, where one pays at least $45.00 + tip and now another $5.00+ on top, sorry but we have all suffered and this Cost is not fair! And now Our PM said the one time payout was coming in June, now it’s the week of the 6th of July!! Why not just increase our monthly payments to a decent living amount? I had no problem with our government taking care of families and others first, but it seems to me that seniors get Easily forgotten. Maybe it’s time for us to rise up!!
Hello Kevin: I have just turned 65 and I will begin receiving OAS end of July. I have been reading your responses and I wish to confirm: If I was not in receipt of OAS by June, will I still be receiving that (one time payment) $200. retroactively? Thank you.
Hi Shirley, I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to your question. So you’re aware, we have no oversight over the COVID-19 related benefits provided by the Federal Government. For more information on CPP, please contact Service Canada directly.
I turned 65 in June. Just wondering, will I get the 300.00.
Hi Jackie, the one-time payment for seniors is available to individuals who are eligible to receive the Old Age Security pension or the Guaranteed Income Supplement in June 2020. According to the Government of Canada website (more information here), it would have been issued during the week of July 6 by direct deposit or a cheque.
Retired Jan 1,2020.Turned 65 early July.Was told not eligible for $300.Virus and higher costs still out there!
I’m a senior and I received my payment on July 6th as I have the automatic deposit system set up. I want to thank the federal government for providing us with this extra amount. I’ve also noted that it is tax-free, which s definitely a bonus. It’s easy to get disgruntled during these unusual times, but let’s be thankful that we’re being thought about. I didn’t expect this bonus and I’m thankful for it.
we are a couple ages 86 and 84 respectively and we receive both CPP and OAS. We have received just one cheque for the $ 300 seniors benefit however the second one has not been deposited. Can you advise when this might arrive.
Thanks for your help
Hi Shirley, thank you for asking a question here. I looked around to see if I can find any contact information specific to this benefits program but I wasn’t able to. The only other place that you may want to ty contacting would be the Old Age Security program administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. They have various contact information on their website and you can access it by clicking here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html. I hope they will be able to help you!
The cost for all people on trying to live on CPP,CPPD,GIS,DTC and so on has gone up for basic healthy food, and supplies they so depend on. A one time payment (which sill has not arrive) would be helpful (like a bandaid over gaping wound) it will be gone before and lost it meaning and Lost it helpfulness before it even has a chance to reach the ones who need most.
I need mine, I have not received it, and can not get a straight answer as to when it is coming. We are all being overlooked and it feels like we don’t matter to our Government
Hi Cynthia, thank you for posting your comment. Sounds like you have inquired about the timing of the payment but have you talked to the Old Age Security program administered by Employment and Social Development Canada? They have various contact information on their website and you can access it by clicking here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html. If you have already been in contact with them, my apologies but I do hope that you will be able to receive your payment soon.