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The BC Seniors Supplement Gets Increased

The BC Senior’s Supplement was introduced in 1987. It is a monthly payment from the provincial government to low-income seniors, age 65 and older, who need a “top-up” to bring their Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement incomes up to a conditionally guaranteed minimum income level. Seniors who qualify for the BC Seniors Supplement will automatically receive the payment. They don’t need to apply.
The BC Seniors Supplement is also automatically paid to people who receive the federal Allowance.

BC Senior’s Supplement amount

Before COVID, the maximum BC Senior’s Supplement was $49.30 per single senior and $120.50 for senior couples.
Effective April 2021, the BC Seniors Supplement will increase for the first time since it was introduced. The Supplement will go up by $50 to to $99.30 a month for a single person.

Pandemic Response – BC Seniors Supplement Increases

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people receiving the BC Senior’s Supplement also got a temporary COVID-19 crisis supplement of $300 per month was from April to December 2020, and a $150 per month recovery supplement from January to March 2021.
The crisis supplement and recovery supplement were in addition to the $49.30 Seniors Supplement.

BC Recovery Benefit

Eligible seniors receiving the BC Senior’s Supplement are entitled to a one-time tax-free $500 BC Recovery Benefit to compensate for the reduced payment. They will automatically receive the BC Recovery Benefit, and no application is needed.
Questions about the recovery benefit can be directed to 1-833-882-0020.

Eligibility

The Senior’s Supplement is automatically paid to low-income permanent residents of BC who are 65 years of age and older and receiving OAS/GIS, and people age 60-64 who receive the federal Allowance.

When seniors are eligible to receive the BC Seniors Supplement

Eligible individuals should begin receiving the BC. Seniors Supplement a month after they are notified they will receive the OAS and GIS.

BC residents outside of BC.

Permanent British Columbia residents can leave the province for up to six months and continue to be eligible for and receive the Senior’s Supplement during the period they are away.

BC Seniors Supplement Registration

Seniors who receive the federal OAS/GIS benefits will automatically receive the Senior’s Supplement. They do not need to apply
The Senior’s Supplement is also paid automatically to people age 60-64 years who receive the federal Allowance, and are married to an Old Age Security pensioner.

Old Age Security

The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly payment a senior gets when 65 and older. In most cases, seniors do not have to apply to get this benefit. Eligible Canadian residents usually receive their first payment the month after they turn 65.

Guaranteed Income Supplement

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly non-taxable government benefit paid to low-income seniors who are already eligible for Old Age Security benefits.
Seniors may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement if they are 65 or older, live in Canada, receive the Old Age Security pension, and their income is below:

  • $18,648 if they are single, widowed or divorced
  • Their income plus the income of your spouse/common-law partner is below:
    • $24,624 if their spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension
    • $44,688 if their spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension
    • $44,688 if their spouse/common-law partner receives the Allowance
  • People who will receive GIS should receive a letter a month after they turn 64. If a letter is not received, an application can be made. To learn what is required to apply, click here.

BC Seniors Supplement Rate

BC Senior’s Supplement rates are based upon income declared to the federal Canada Revenue Agency or declared on the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement application.

How the Senior’s Supplement is Calculated

To learn how the BC. Seniors Supplement is calculated, click here.

Senior’s Supplement Regulation

The BC Senior’s Supplement is available under BC’s Employment and Assistance Regulation.