Turning 65 is often seen as a milestone, but for low-income seniors in Ontario, it can bring financial and health-related uncertainty. Many seniors turning 65 no longer financially qualify for Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), including their related health benefits. This is because getting federal seniors’ benefits such as Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and/or Canada Pension Plan – Retirement benefits often makes their income too high to qualify for OW/ODSP. Planning ahead can ease the transition from OW/ODSP to seniors’ benefits, minimizing gaps in income and care.
New ISAC Resources to Support a Smoother Transition
Seniors and the people who work with them need information and support in navigating the transition from OW/ODSP to seniors’ benefits. Turning 65 can bring requirements to apply for seniors’ benefits and report changes to OW or ODSP, along with changes in drug coverage and dental care, and higher rent for those living in subsidized housing.
ISAC has created two new resources to ease this transition. You can read and download them by clicking on the name of the resource:
- Living on OW/ODSP and turning 65? Top 5 Tips on Protecting your Income When Turning 65: A resource for seniors to help them plan for these changes, including tips on filing taxes annually, understanding when and how to apply for seniors’ benefits, how to keep their social assistance health benefits, and how to avoid paying fees for prescription drugs.
- Is your patient turning 65 and receiving social assistance? Top 5 Things You Can Do to Help Seniors Maintain their Income and Health Benefits when Turning 65: Tips for healthcare and social service providers to help their patients/clients navigate changes to their income and health benefits. The resource highlights the referrals and actions needed before the patient turns 65.
Recent data suggests that 1 in 5 seniors in Canada live below the Official Poverty Line. Rising housing costs and inflation continue to put increasing pressure on those living on fixed incomes, particularly single seniors living alone (especially women), seniors with disabilities, and those from marginalized communities.
We created these resources because many seniors are already struggling, and gaps in income or health benefits can have devastating impacts on their ability to put food on the table, pay rent, and access the medications they need. These resources are designed to help seniors prepare for income and health benefit changes with greater confidence and avoid unnecessary disruptions and instability.