Seniors Corner

The County of Vermilion River has a vibrant and active seniors population.  The 2008 County census indicates that there are 835 citizens over the age of 65 years of age living in the County.  This represents 11% of the total population.  There are several senior citizens organizations located in the Villages and Hamlets in the County that provide a facility for socialization and educational opportunities for our Seniors.

SENIORS' COORDINATOR

The County of Vermilion River and the Town of Vermilion partner to provide a Seniors' Coordinator to liaise with the seniors residing in the County, Town and the Villages of Dewberry, Kitscoty, Marwayne and Paradise Valley.  Shirley McRobert has provided information, assistance, referrals and enlightenment to our senior citizens for many years.  If you are a senior (or a spouse, child or cargiver of a senior) and you have a question or concern please contact Shirley - she is always willing to assist our seniors.  Shirley is renowned for her annual Seniors' Week celebrations that bring together seniors from across the County to be entertained and enlightened on matters of importance to their health and well being. 

Shirley McRobert, Senior Support Coordinator

Phone: (780) 581-2414

E-mail: smcrobert@vermilion.ca

PROVINCE OF ALBERTA SENIORS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

 

 

MARCH 2010 SENIORS NEWS

Federal Income Tax and Benefit Return

(submitted by Shirley McRobert, Seniors Coordinator) 

Benefits of Filing Your Tax Return

To ensure that you get all of your benefits, you must file an income tax return every year, even if you have little or no income. Here are some possible benefits that depend on your tax return:

- Tax-free quarterly Goods and Services Tax

- Old Age Security – Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance, or Allowance for the survivor.

- Provincial benefits – Alberta Senior Benefits (ABS) – a program based on income and provides a monthly cash benefit to eligible seniors. To be considered for the benefit, you must apply to the program.

-The Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy, the new prescription drug plan for seniors, will become effective on July 1, 2010. The plan payment schedule is based on line 260 of the seniors 2009 tax return.

- Voter registration – you can update your federal voter registration on your tax return

 

SENIORS' WEEK 2009 and the "BE INFORMED" Seniors' Conference

 

On April 14, 2009 County Council declared June 1 to 7, 2009 as Seniors Week in the County of Vermilion River.  Shirley McRobert, Seniors' Coordinator, arranged an impressive line up of informative presenters for the annual Seniors Week celebration that was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at the Vermilion Regional Centre.  The vision for the June Senior Conference was "Be Informed".  Over 125 seniors came out for a day of learning and making connections with others. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Province of Alberta Seniors and Community Supports department have many resources for our Senior Citizens on their website.  Please check the site out at http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/seniors to view information on the following programs and services available to seniors:  Alberta Seniors Benefit (ASB), Alberta Seniors Information Line, Dental Assistance, Education Property Tax, Optical Assistance, Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA), Supportive Living Public Reporting Information and Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta.   
 
The department also publishes a comprehensive guide to the myriad of programs available to support senior citizens. The "Seniors Programs and Services Information Guide" can also be viewed on the website at http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/services_resources/programs_services/booklet/ProgramsServices_InfoGuide.pdf
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors Program 
The Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program provides an annual rebate to senior homeowners to cover the year-to-year increases in the education portion of property taxes.  The base year for this program is 2004, but if you turned 65 after 2004, your base year will be the year before you turn 65. In general, if you have moved since 2004, your base year will be established using your first full year’s property tax notice. You must be 65 years of age or older, be an Alberta resident, own a residential property in Alberta and have had an increase in the education portion of your property taxes. Senior homeowners who have never applied to the Alberta Seniors Benefit program should complete an application for the Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program. A copy of your paid property tax notices should be included with your application. 
Applications are available at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca or by calling toll free using the 310-0000 then 780-427-7876.