OAS and GIS COVID-19 Seniors Payments: Not for Everyone

As part of the emergency pandemic assistance programs, a new benefit was introduced for seniors – for some, but not all. Those receiving OAS will receive a $300 one-time payment, and those receiving GIS will receive an additional $200. But do those who chose to postpone their benefits qualify too?

We reached out to the office of Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface – Saint-Vital, Dan Vandal for further clarification and his office was very helpful – and fast – in responding. Here are the responses we received:

Are people eligible for OAS that have decided to postpone it to age 70 going to receive the $300 tax-free benefit?

“If people are not currently on OAS because they have deferred, then they are not eligible for this payment. Only people currently receiving OAS (or will turn 65 by May 31 and applies for OAS), will receive this benefit. So, if there are people who have deferred but now want to receive their OAS, they would need to apply.”

If someone qualifies but is currently a non-resident, what is the procedure for making sure they get this OAS payment?

“If the individual is currently receiving OAS, then they will get this payment. However, if they are not receiving because they haven’t applied for it, they won’t get the payment, no matter if they are a non-resident or not.”

What is the cut-off to qualify for the OAS/GIS one-time payments?

“The one-time payment is for those who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowances in June 2020. This means OAS pensioners would have to be age 65 by May 31, 2020. If an individual subsequently becomes entitled to the Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowances retroactively to June 2020 or an earlier date, they will receive the one-time payment for seniors after being assessed as eligible.

To clarify, one would have to be applying for regular OAS, with the first payment date being retroactive to June 20, 2020. So, if someone has purposely deferred their payment, their date would not be June 20, 2020, it would be whenever they chose to start receiving OAS, so for example, a 5 year deferral would mean a start date of June 1, 2025.”

Thanks to Denis Bissonnette, Parliamentary Assistant for his help in clarifying these issues.

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COPYRIGHT OWNED BY KNOWLEDGE BUREAU INC., 2020.

UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IS PROHIBITED.