OTTAWA ANNOUNCES ONE-TIME TOP UP FOR SENIORS, PROMISES TO HELP FIND LONG-TERM CARE SOLUTIONS
May 12, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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Seniors hit hard by COVID-19 will receive a one-time payment of up to $500 from the federal government, which also vows to help find long-term solutions to address problems in long-term care homes revealed by the pandemic.
Those who qualify for Old Age Security will be eligible for a one-time, tax-free payment of $300, and those eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement will get an additional $200.
Anyone eligible for both will get $500.
Despite only now announcing financial assistance that’s expected to help nearly 7-million seniors, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says they’ve always been a priority, pointing out since the beginning the government’s put measures in place to protect vulnerable seniors and provided GST tax credits.
Trudeau adds there’s more to be done, not just in the short-term, saying COVID-19 has exposed some ”uncomfortable truths” about our society, including how it cares for seniors.
”We’ve seen heartbreaking tragedies in long-term care facilities and nursing homes right across the country. Overworked staff. Understaffed residences. Grieving families,” said Trudeau.
”There are serious, underlying challenges facing these facilities. And in the coming months, the federal government will be there to help the provinces find lasting solutions.”