Alberta Seniors Benefit

Alberta Seniors Benefit Calculator

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You could receive

$777 each month

from Alberta Senior's Benefit

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Maximum Benefit Amount for 2024

The Alberta Seniors Benefit provides monthly payments that vary based on the applicant's income, marital status, and type of residence.

The maximum annual benefit of the Alberta Seniors Benefit for single seniors who are homeowners, renters, or lodge residents in 2024 is $3,792. Your income will reduce your benefit payment at a rate of a $0.1558 deduction for every $1.00 in income.

Senior couples who are homeowners, renters, or lodge residents can receive up to $5,687 in 2024, reduced at a $0.1561 deduction for every $1.00 in income.

The table below shows the maximum annual benefit for a senior with an income of $0.

Alberta Seniors Benefit Maximum Annual Benefit

Purpose and Eligibility Criteria

The primary purpose of the Alberta Seniors Benefit program is to ensure that seniors with low income have access to additional financial resources that can help them live more comfortably. To be eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Must be 65 years of age or older.
• Residency: Must be residents of Alberta for at least three months immediately before applying.
• Legal Status: Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Income: Must have an income below a certain threshold, which is determined annually by the government.
• Other Benefits: You must receive the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension. If you or your spouse/common-law partner have deferred OAS, you will not be eligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit.

Income Limits for 2024

The Alberta Seniors Benefit has specific income limits. These limits are adjusted annually to account for inflation and changes in the cost of living. In 2024, the maximum annual qualifying income for a single senior residing as a homeowner, renter or lodger is $24,339. This means that as long as their yearly qualifying income falls below this threshold, they may be eligible for the benefit.

The combined maximum annual qualifying income limit for senior couples residing in these residences is $36,432. Again, they may qualify for the Alberta Seniors Benefit if their combined income does not exceed this amount.

However, the income limits are higher for seniors residing in continuing care homes, which provide round-the-clock care and support. The maximum qualifying annual income for a single senior in this type of residence is higher because this considers the additional expenses associated with residing in a continuing care home. These seniors will be eligible for the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit.

For seniors living in other types of residences not mentioned above, such as shared housing arrangements, the income limits remain roughly the same as those for homeowners, renters, or lodgers. This means that their maximum annual income must not exceed $24,305 for single seniors and $36,402 for senior couples.

Qualifying income is calculated by subtracting your exempt income from your total income. Exempt income includes Old Age Security pension, Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) income, Social Assistance payments, Net federal supplements (Guaranteed Income Supplement and Allowance), Registered Pension Plan deduction, Registered Retirement Savings Plan deduction, Deduction for elected split – pension amount, Deduction for elected split – pension amount, Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit, and lump-sum payment under the Heroes’ Compensation Act.

Alberta Seniors Benefit Qualifying Income Limits for 2024

Supplementary Accommodation Benefit

In addition to the Alberta Seniors Benefit, seniors living in continuing care homes may also be eligible for the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit. This benefit is intended to help offset the high cost of living in a continuing care home and can provide up to $710 per month towards accommodation fees.

To calculate the amount of the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit, follow these steps:

1. Determine the Monthly Private Room Accommodation Charge: Identify the monthly cost for a private room in the continuing care home.
2. Add the Minimum Monthly Disposable Income: Sum this accommodation charge with the minimum monthly disposable income amount set by the government. This income is meant to cover things like telephone or cable bills and personal hygiene expenses.
3. Subtract the Senior's Prior Year’s Monthly Total Income: From the total of the accommodation charge and disposable income, subtract the senior's total income from the previous year, excluding any Supplementary Accommodation Benefit they received during that period.
4. Calculate the Difference: The resulting difference between the sums calculated in steps 1 and 2 and the subtraction made in step 3 is the senior's monthly Supplementary Accommodation Benefit.
5. Apply the Maximum Cap: Ensure that the calculated month-to-month benefit does not exceed the maximum allowable amount of $710.

For 2024, the monthly disposable income set by the government is $357.

For example, let’s say that a single senior lives in a continuing care home with a monthly private room rate of $2,000. Their monthly income last year was $1,800. Their Supplementary Accommodation Benefit would be $557 per month since the calculation would be:

= (Private Room Charge + Minimum Disposable Income) - Monthly Income

= ($2,000 + $357) - $1,800

= $557

Supplementary Accommodation Benefit payments are combined with the Alberta Seniors Benefit monthly payments.