Province adjusts income exemption and thresholds for Alberta Seniors Benefit

The Alberta government is raising the qualifying income thresholds under the program to ensure provincial seniors’ benefits are not negatively affected because federal seniors’ benefits went up.

Effective July 1, qualifying income thresholds in Alberta will increase $500 to $25,100 for a single senior and $800 for senior couples to $40,800.

“This will have a positive impact on more than 151,000 low-income seniors who receive a monthly cash supplement through the province’s ASB program,” said Fred Horne, Minister of Health. “We are making sure that people getting the Alberta Seniors Benefit are not affected by increases to federal income programs, which happen almost every year.”

Seniors will be sent a letter in July advising them of their new eligibility for the 2012/13 benefit year.

Applications for the ASB program are sent automatically to Albertans three months before they turn 65. In addition to applying for ASB, the application acts as gateway to enrollment for other seniors financial assistance programs such as Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors, Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors and Special Needs Assistance for Seniors.

Alberta’s benefits for seniors are among the highest and most generous in the country and the province’s income thresholds are among the highest in the country.
These adjustments come into effect on July 1, the start of the new benefit year. For more information on the Alberta Seniors Benefit program, visit the Alberta Health website at www.health.alberta.ca or call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll free in Alberta
1-877-644-9992, or in the Edmonton area call 780-644-9992.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Bart Johnson Press Secretary Minister of Health 780-427-3665 [email protected]

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.