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Part of Financial assistance for seniors

Seniors financial assistance programs

Eligible seniors can access a variety of financial and health support programs.

Canada Post service disruption

Most seniors who receive financial assistance benefits receive their benefits via direct deposit and as a result are unaffected by the postal strike. 

Seniors who receive their Alberta Seniors Benefit by cheque will continue to receive payment during a postal strike, as Canada Post maintains delivery of financial benefits payments even during a strike. All other mail will be delivered after the postal strike ends.

You may continue to provide applications, forms and other documents using one of the following options.

  1. Apply online at Seniors Financial Assistance online services. 
  2. Upload documents online at Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance. 
  3. Fax the information to 780-422-5954.

Online services

New online options are available for seniors financial assistance programs:

Overview

The primary source of income for seniors (65 years of age or older) is provided by the Government of Canada through the Guaranteed Income Supplement and Old Age Security. To supplement these programs the Government of Alberta provides the following supports and services:

  • Alberta Seniors Benefit

    Alberta Seniors Benefit provides a monthly benefit to eligible seniors with low-income to assist with living expenses.

  • Supplementary Accommodation Benefit

    Supplementary Accommodation Benefit provides financial assistance to eligible seniors with low-income who reside in a continuing care home.

  • Special Needs Assistance for Seniors

    Special Needs Assistance for Seniors provides financial assistance to eligible seniors with low-income toward the cost of some appliances, and specific health and personal supports.

  • Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors

    Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors provides financial assistance to eligible seniors with low- to moderate- income for basic dental and optical services.

  • Coverage for Seniors

    Coverage for Seniors provides coverage for medical needs, such as prescriptions drugs, diabetes supplies, ambulance services, home nursing care, chiropractic services and clinical psychological services.

  • Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program

    Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible senior homeowners to defer all or part of their annual residential property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan.

  • Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program

    Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program helps eligible seniors finance home repairs, adaptations and renovations through a low-interest home equity loan.

For more information, see the individual program pages or the Seniors Financial Assistance information booklet.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

  • be 65 years of age or older
  • have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months immediately before applying
  • be a Canadian citizen, or have been admitted into Canada for permanent residence

Use the Seniors Benefit Estimator to see if you are eligible for benefits.

If you or your spouse or partner have chosen to defer or delay receipt of Old Age Security, you are not eligible for the following seniors financial assistance programs:

  • Alberta Seniors Benefit
  • Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
  • Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors Programs

How to apply

You should get an information package from the Government of Alberta with details on how to apply for seniors financial assistance programs in the mail 6 months before your 65th birthday. If you did not get this package, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992.

To avoid a delay in receiving benefits, you are encouraged to apply when you receive this package. You may apply up to one year prior to your 65th birthday.

Apply online at sfa.alberta.ca to enroll in the Alberta Seniors Benefit, Special Needs Assistance for Seniors, Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors and Coverage for Seniors programs.

You need only apply once.

Step 1: Read the information booklet

Seniors Financial Assistance Programs Information Booklet

Step 2: Select an application option

Complete the Seniors Financial Assistance application using one of the following options:

Optional income forms are available to help you complete your application:

  • Income estimate form – the use of this form is limited to the Alberta Seniors Benefit program.  Complete this form if you have experienced a decrease in income compared to your most recent tax return and are applying to the program for the first time, or have previously applied but have never received benefits. For more information, see How Your Benefit is Determined – First time exception section on the Alberta Seniors Benefit page.
  • Income information form – complete this form if you have not filed your income tax return for the previous calendar year.

Optional forms are available to help you complete your application:

Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. For help opening the forms, contact PDF form technical support.

Step 3: Send in your documents

Use one of the following options to send your completed application and supporting documents:

Submit documents online

Fax to 780-422-5954

Mail to the address below:

Seniors Financial Assistance
PO Box 3100
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W3

After you apply

Some programs are income-based, therefore you may not be eligible for all programs.

The normal processing time for a Seniors Financial Assistance application is 16 weeks from the date an application is received. Our staff will contact you if more information is needed to complete the review of your file. You will receive a letter explaining your benefit eligibility once your application is reviewed.

Annual Review

You only need to complete the Seniors Financial Assistance application once.

Income thresholds are reviewed annually and adjusted to ensure there is no decrease in benefits due to changes in federal pension amounts.

On July 1 of each year the department will review your eligibility for benefits based on your previous year’s income tax return. If you are eligible for a benefit you will receive a letter in July.

For more information on how benefits are determined and to review income thresholds, see the individual program pages.

Update your information

Keeping your information up-to-date helps ensure you receive your benefits.

If any of the following information changes, visit sfa.alberta.ca and use your verified MyAlberta Seniors account to securely and easily update:

  • name
  • marital status (available online soon)
  • mailing or residence address
  • banking information

You must also notify us:

  • if you are going to be out of the province for more than one month
  • if you move out of Alberta
  • if you appoint a Trustee/Power of Attorney to act on your behalf
  • to report the death of a recipient

You may notify the department with changes by phone or in writing. Print your full name and clearly mark on the document, your address, telephone number and Personal Health Care number. Select one of the following options to submit your documents:  

  • Submit documents online
  • Fax to 780-422-5954
  • Contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (have your Personal Health Care card available when calling)
  • Mail to:
    Seniors Financial Assistance
    PO Box 3100
    Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3

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