Canadian seniors will start receiving a one-time pandemic payment from the federal government this week.
Announced sometime ago, Seniors Minister Deb Schulte announced this week that the payments would begin flowing.
Those eligible for the Old Age Security pension will receive $300, while those who also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement will receive a further $200, for a total of $500 for eligible Canadians.
“The payment will be automatic beginning now — seniors do not need to apply,” Sudbury MPP Paul Lefebvre said in a news release. “Seniors who reside in Canada can expect to receive the payment by direct deposit or cheque this week.”
In April, the Government of Canada provided a one-time GST Credit top-up worth an average of $375 for single seniors and $510 for senior couples.
Altogether, a low-income senior couple on GIS will receive more than $1,500 in added support.
“In Sudbury, we have more than 18,500 senior residents receiving these benefits,” said Lefebvre. “All told, more than $15 million in top-ups will be paid to seniors in Sudbury alone.”
