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Minister Wong announces new initiative to help vulnerable seniors receive CPP and OAS benefits
January 16, 2015– Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the launch of a new initiative to work with community organizations to ensure seniors receive their retirement benefits.
Minister Wong renewed the Government of Canada’s commitment to reach the most vulnerable seniors, such as those who are incapable of managing their own affairs while they are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The Government is undertaking targeted efforts, by working with community organizations, to increase their capacity to assist these seniors and ensure they receive the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for which they are eligible. These seniors can now receive their CPP or OAS benefits through an appropriate community organization, including non-profit or charitable organizations, and municipalities.
The announcement was made at Vancouver’s Union Gospel Mission, which provides outreach services to vulnerable residents. Services include emergency shelter, meals, education and job preparation, affordable housing and preventative programs to build healthy families.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is committed to the well-being of Canada’s seniors by working with all levels of government, seniors’ organizations and stakeholders to develop policies and programs to support seniors.
- The OAS program and the CPP enhance the quality of life of Canadian seniors by providing a modest base upon which to build additional income for retirement.
- The OAS program is funded through general tax revenues and provides a basic monthly income for Canadian seniors. In 2013–14, approximately $41.8 billion in OAS benefits were provided to 5.4 million individuals.
- The CPP (or the Quebec Pension Plan in Quebec) is funded through contributions by Canadian workers, their employers and the self-employed and through investment earnings on the Plan’s funds. In addition to retirement benefits, the Plan provides disability, death, survivor and children’s benefits.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is dedicated to reaching seniors to ensure they receive the CPP and OAS benefits for which they are eligible. We are working with other levels of government, communities and organizations to help the most vulnerable seniors, particularly those who are not able to manage their own affairs while they are homeless or at risk of being homeless.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
“In light of the growing number of homeless and vulnerable seniors in our community, this announcement couldn’t come at a better time. We are pleased that the Government of Canada has not only recognized this troubling problem, but that it has taken strategic action. Union Gospel Mission helps hundreds of seniors each year, dozens of whom had barriers to accessing pensions and disability funding; this initiative will enable additional organizations to more widely and effectively assist one of Canada’s most cherished resources—our seniors.”
– Dan Russell, Director of Programs, Union Gospel Mission
”This is a really valuable tool to help front-line organizations ensure vulnerable seniors can access critical financial resources. Being able to access Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits can make all the difference in the world to a low-income senior.”
– Tim Richter, President & CEO, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness