FREDERICTON (CNB) – Applications for the 2011 Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit will be available mid-March, with payments issued to qualified seniors starting April 1.
In 2010, more than 38,000 New Brunswick seniors received the $400 benefit, resulting in more than $15.3 million in payments.
To be eligible for the benefit, a person must have been a resident of New Brunswick on Dec. 31, 2010, and have received one of the following federal benefits under the Old Age Security Act:
● Guaranteed Income Supplement (65 years or older);
● Allowance for Survivor Program (between 60 and 64 years old); or
● Allowance Program (between 60 and 64 years old).
In cases where both spouses received the Guaranteed Income Supplement and lived in the same household, only one payment will be provided. However, when spouses live separately (for example, with one living in a nursing home) both will be eligible for the benefit.
Applications will be accepted between mid-March and Nov. 30. Application forms will be available mid-March at Service New Brunswick centres and online at the Department of Finance and Service New Brunswick websites. Completed applications may be returned to the Department of Finance, P.O. Box 3000, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5G5.
For more information about the program, contact the Department of Finance, Revenue and Taxation Division, at 1-800-669-7070.
LINKS:
● Department of Finance: www.gnb.ca/finance
● Service New Brunswick: www.snb.ca
19-01-11