Seniors living in British Columbia can receive financial assistance through various programs, such as the BC Senior’s Supplement, Bus Pass and Medical Services Only.
These are on top of the regular financial assistance provided by the Canadian Pension Plan, Canadian Dental Care Plan, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Learn what these provincial and federal benefits are, how much you can receive, how to apply for them and when you can receive them.
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BC Senior’s Supplement
The BC Senior’s Supplement is a monthly benefit provided by the government of British Columbia to low-income seniors to top-up the federal income assistance they receive.
BC Senior’s Supplement Eligibility
- Must be a permanent resident of B.C.
- Low income seniors
- A recipient of Old Age Security (OAS) benefits and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) allowances
- No other significant sources of taxable income
- A 60-65-year-old eligible senior receiving a federal spouse’s Allowance
Eligible seniors receive the Senior’s Supplement one month after the month that the federal authorities notify the ministry that the GIS or allowance is active.
If you intend to leave BC for a maximum of six months, your eligibility will remain and you continue receiving the Senior’s Supplement.
BC Senior’s Supplement Rate Table
| Category | Monthly Payment |
| Single seniors | $1.00 to $99.30 |
| Senior couples | $2.00 to $220.50 |
| A spouse receiving the federal OAS allowance | $1.00 to $99.83 |
The amount you receive depends on the monthly amount of your OAS/GIS benefits.
BC Senior’s Supplement Payment Dates
The Senior’s Supplement payment dates for 2024 are as follows:
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 27, 2024
- April 29, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 27, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 27, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
How to Apply for the BC Senior’s Supplement
To receive the GIS or the Allowance, you must apply to Service Canada. Once your GIS application is approved, you automatically receive the Senior’s Supplement.
Eligible spouses of a GIS recipient and those who receive the Allowance also receive the Senior’s Supplement automatically.
Seniors do not need to apply for the Senior’s Supplement.
Other Support for Low-Income Seniors in BC
Bus Pass
The BC Bus Pass Program is a program that offers a reduced-cost annual bus pass for public transit systems to eligible, low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. The bus passes are valid for travel in BC in communities served by BC Transit and TransLink.
Eligibility
- A low-income senior 60 years or older and:
- The spouse of an individual on disability assistance
- Receiving income assistance
- A resident of a First Nations reserve and getting assistance from the band office
- Receiving the following government benefits:
- The OAS and the GIS
- The federal spousal Allowance
- The federal Allowance for the Survivor
- 65 years or older and eligible for GIS but does not meet the 10-year residency rule in Canada
Cost
The Bus Pass costs $45 per year for eligible individuals. It is non-refundable and valid from January 1 to December 31.
How to Apply
New applicants for the annual bus pass should contact the BC Bus Pass Program through its website, phone, fax, email or mail. A BC Bus Pass Program staff will determine your eligibility for the annual bus pass.
If you are eligible, you will receive via mail a form that explains how you can pay for the bus pass. You can send your annual administrative fee through any of the following:
- Online/telephone banking payment
- Bill payment through their bank
- Cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
You will receive your annual BC Bus Pass through mail three weeks after you make your payment.
For renewals, you will receive an application payment form if you are eligible to renew your bus pass. You are required to pay a yearly $45 administrative fee.
Medical Services Only
Medical Services Only (MSO) is a program that provides continued medical supports, such as health supplements, to individuals no longer qualified to receive regular income or disability assistance after becoming employed or getting income from other sources.
Through Transitional Health Services (THS), recipients and their families who meet eligibility criteria get access to various health supplements for up to a year.
Eligibility
- 65 years old or older
- Must have previously received disability or income assistance
- Must no longer be eligible for regular assistance due to employment or other sources of increased income
- Must meet the applicable income test for the family unit
How to Apply
Contact the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR). Complete the required forms and attach all necessary paperwork to your application, including previous income assistance, proof of income and identification documents.
Life-Threatening Health Needs
This program provides eligible individuals with access to medical equipment, supplies, and transportation during a direct and imminent life-threatening health need.
Eligibility
- The family has an adjusted net income of $42,000 or less
- No other resources to meet the immediate need
- Not eligible for income or disability assistance
- Recipients of BC Employment and Assistance who are unqualified to access medical supplies, medical equipment or medical transportation
- Must meet the applicable income test
- May be asked to demonstrate financial need
How to Apply
The applicant must provide detailed medical information from a medical/nurse practitioner regarding the imminent health need, what health supplement is needed, how it would prevent the imminent health need and for how long.
Contact your Ministry Office for a financial assessment.
BC Housing Grants for Seniors
BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)
The BC RAHA offers rebates of up to $20,000 to eligible seniors and individuals with permanent health conditions to use for home adaptations. The program aims to help qualified individuals have a safer, more accessible and independent way of life.
Eligibility
- A Canadian citizen
- A permanent resident of Canada
- With a total before-tax household income of below $128,810
- Household assets are below $100,000
- Home value is below the Home Value Limits for BC-RAHA
- You or someone in your household has a permanent disability or loss of ability
How to Apply
Download and complete the BC RAHA application for Homeowners. Include supporting documents, such as proof of Canadian status, proof of income, Confirmation of the Disability Tax Credit (if applicable), proof of assets, and proof of address.
Submit the application form and supporting documents online using the BC Housing Program Upload Form, by fax or by mail to: BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations, BC Housing, 101-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4V8.
When BC Housing approves your application, it will confirm your eligible adaptation, the rebate amount and how to get the rebate.
BC Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit
The BC Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit designed for eligible seniors with disabilities. The program helps them with the cost of specific home renovations that enhance the functionality, mobility or accessibility of the home.
Eligibility
- 65 years old and over
- A resident of British Columbia
- A senior or a family member living with a senior
- Seniors who qualify for the disability tax credit
How to Apply
You can claim the home renovation tax credit when you file your T2 income tax return. Fill out the form and enter your renovation expense amount. Attach the documents to support your claim.
Rates
The maximum amount of the credit is $1,000 per tax year. It is calculated as 10% of the eligible renovation cost (maximum of $10,000 in expenses).
Federal Benefits for Seniors in BC
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The Canada Pension Plan is a social insurance plan that provides individuals 65 and older with a basic level of lifetime income. Along with Old Age Security (OAS), they form the two primary components of the country’s retirement system.
Eligibility
- Individuals aged 60 and older
- Have contributed to the CPP at least once
How to Apply
When applying for CPP benefits, choose first when you want to start receiving your pension (as soon as you qualify, at age 65 or at a date you prefer).
Log in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA), complete the application form and submit it. You can also download the form, fill it out and mail it to the nearest Service Canada office.
Rates
- The maximum CPP amount you can receive is $1,364.60.
Payment Dates
The payment dates for the CPP benefits are as follows:
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 25, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
The CDCP is a dental insurance program that provides dental services to qualifying seniors and other individuals in Canada. The program covers a comprehensive range of oral health services, including scaling (cleaning), X-rays and examinations, dentures, and extractions.
Eligibility
- No access to dental insurance
- A Canadian resident
- Has an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
- Has filed previous year’s tax return
How to Apply
Eligible seniors can apply online and answer some questions to complete their application. After approval, a welcome package from Sun Life will be sent to you. It will contain information on your start date and when you can set up an appointment with an oral health provider.
Rates
| Adjusted family net income | How much will the CDCP cover | How much you will cover |
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 0% of the CDCP established fees. |
| Between $70,000 and $79,999 | 60% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 40% of the CDCP established fees. |
| Between $80,000 and $89,999 | 40% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 60% of the CDCP established fees. |
Payment Dates
Old Age Security (OAS)
The OAS is a universal retirement pension paid monthly to eligible residents and citizens of Canada 65 years old and older.
Eligibility
- 65 years old or older
- A Canadian citizen or legal resident
- Have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18 years old
How to Apply
Once you are determined to be eligible for the OAS benefits, you will need to choose when you want your pension to start. You can apply online through MSCA or via paper application.
To get an estimate of your OAS payments, use the Old Age Security Benefits Estimator tool.
Payment Dates
The payment dates for the OAS benefits are:
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 25, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The GIS supplements the OAS and is available to seniors with lower incomes. It is a non-taxable monthly benefit based on income.
Eligibility
- 65 years old or older
- A Canadian resident
- A recipient of the OAS pension
- Meets the income requirements
How to Apply
Before you start, prepare the following information:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Information about your spouse or common-law partner (Social Insurance Number, date of birth), if applicable
- Information about the countries where you have lived since age 18
- The date you would like your GIS payments to start
- Your banking information to use when signing up for direct deposit
You can apply online through MSCA or by submitting a paper application. When your application is approved, you will receive a letter detailing your monthly payment, the date of your initial payment and if there are previous payments owed to you.
Payment Dates
The GIS payments are issued on the same dates as those of the OAS:
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 25, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
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