NLIS 4
September 17, 2003
(Finance)

 

Seniors� benefit to be distributed in October

An increase to the seniors� benefit for 2003 will be paid to eligible individuals in October, at the same time as the GST Credit and HST Credit.

Finance Minister Joan Marie Aylward, who announced the increase in Budget 2003, said approximately 30,300 seniors will receive the Low Income Seniors� Benefit this year.

The maximum benefit has been increased to $350 from $300 for a single senior, and to $700 from $600 for married seniors. The benefit is gradually phased out as family net income rises from $14,000 to $20,000.

The benefit was introduced in 1999 to help relieve the financial circumstances of some of the province�s older citizens.

Minister Aylward said the increased benefit for 2003 will make an additional $1.1 million available to them, bringing the total amount paid out under the program to $7.7 million annually.

Individuals do not need to make a special application for the benefit. Eligibility and payment amounts are determined automatically when income tax returns are filed.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications (709) 729-0329

2003 09 17                                       11:30 a.m.


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