FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Where Can I find Financial, Health, Home Care, Housing, Long Term Care and other assistance for Seniors in my province?

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Q. Where can I find additional information about Retirement Communities in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia, as well as seniors’ housing, care services, assisted living residences, long-term care homes, Alzheimer care homes and community services?

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Q. Where can I get information about federal programs and benefits?

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Q. Where can I get information about CPP, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income supplement, and verify if I am getting the correct amount?

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  • Contact Service Canada
    http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca 1-800-277-9914

Q. Where can I get information about Quebec Pension Plan (in either French or English?)

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Q. I’ve heard that most provinces provide income-tested top-ups to the OAS and GIS. Where can I get information on this?

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Q. Where can I find help with my Income Tax Forms?

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  • The Canada Revenue Agency operates a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Call 1-800-959-8281 to find one in your area, or check the web site at:
    http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer/

Q. Quebec administers its own income tax department. Where can I find information about tax credits for home-support services for seniors and tax credits for medical expenses?

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  • Revenue Quebec Services for Seniors

Q. Where can I find out about retiring abroad?

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Q. What is the difference between Power of Attorney for Property and Power of Attorney for Personal Care?

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  • Because regulations in each province may differ, type in Power of Attorney, and province and follow the links.
    http://www.voyage.gc.ca/publications/retirement_retraite-eng.asp

Q. How can I get up-to-date information on "frozen" British Pensions?

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Q. Who should I contact if I have a problem with a retailer or a service provider?

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  • 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) to find the phone number of the Provincial Consumer Protection Department in your province.
    Another source is the website of the Canadian Marketing Association:
    http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47%7CK=224227

Q. Are there any programs that offer assistance to seniors who need to make adaptations/renovations to their home?

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  • The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has several financial assistance programs for low-income seniors, such as:
  • Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program RRAP for needed home repairs:
    Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program – RRAP for Persons with Disabilities;
    Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence (HASI)
    For minor home adaptations
    Emergency Repair Program (ERP)
  • For low-income households in rural areas, for emergency repairs required for the continued safe occupancy of their home.
    http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/index.cfm

Q. What do I do if I suspect telephone or other fraudulent activities?

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Q. What do I do if I suspect elder abuse?

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Q. Where can I upgrade my skills as an older driver?

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Q. What do I do if I think I have been the victim of age or other discrimination?

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Q. How can I get information about my provincial health insurance plan, such as: Does it cover me when I am out of the province? How do I get a health card? Is there a program to help purchase Assistive Devices? What are the drug benefits, etc?

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Q. How can I contact the Ombudsman Office for government and other services across Canada?

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Q. Does every province have an Ombudsman’s office, to which residents can appeal?

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Q. How can I find out more about the office of the Canadian Ombudsmen?

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