2022/23 Flu Vaccine Information
The Ministry of Health has provided information about how seniors in the community and in residential care in B.C. can access the flu vaccine.
Current Issues
New Report – BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind
Yesterday the BC Seniors Advocate released “BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind”, a new OSA report outlining the income and affordability challenges seniors in our province are facing. The report highlights the impact of rising costs on B.C. seniors who depend on government pensions and ranks B.C. as the lowest in its financial support for seniors …
B.C. Seniors Advocate invites British Columbians to participate in landmark survey of people in residential care
The Office of the Seniors Advocate is launching the second province-wide survey of the experiences of residents living in all 294 publicly-subsidized long-term care homes in B.C. and is calling on all interested British Columbians to join the survey team. Members of the survey team will include British Columbians from a wide variety of backgrounds …
Property Tax Deferment Program
Did you know you may be eligible to defer your property taxes? Property tax deferment is a provincial low-interest loan program that helps qualified homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence. Taxes can be deferred for any year the homeowner lives in the home and continues to qualify for the program. Who …
T5007 Tax Slips for Recipients of the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters
This year, the CRA has issued T5007 tax slips to SAFER recipients who received more than $500 from the program within the last year. Find out about how this will impact your income tax.
One-Time GIS Payment for Seniors Affected by CERB
The federal government will provide an automatic, one-time repayment to alleviate the financial hardship of seniors who saw a loss of GIS or Allowance.
B.C. Speculation Tax and Vacancy Tax
The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in major urban areas in B.C. Over 99% of British Columbians are exempt from the speculation and vacancy tax. Generally, a British Columbian owner is exempt from the tax if the home is their principal residence.
Income and Affordability Survey
The Office of the Seniors Advocate is undertaking a survey of B.C. seniors living on low incomes to identify challenges and determine if the financial supports available to them meet their needs. The survey will be mailed out to randomly-selected recipients of the B.C. Senior’s Supplement. The survey deadline is April 8, 2022.
Home Support Survey 2021/22
Home Support Survey Deadline Extended: March 4, 2022
The Office of the Seniors Advocate has launched the second province-wide survey of Home Support recipients and their families/caregivers. All home support clients and their family/caregivers are invited to participate in this survey.
The Office of the Seniors Advocate has launched the second province-wide survey of Home Support recipients and their families/caregivers. All home support clients and their family/caregivers are invited to participate in this survey.
Income Support Impacted by CERB
The Canadian Economic Recovery Benefit (CERB) in 2020 may have impacted your federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments.