Today, Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera announced that low income seniors who lost their GIS due to collecting CERB will now receive financial aid as soon as March. Previously, the date for reimbursement of lost income as a one-time payment was set for May.
CanAge has been sounding the alarm that vulnerable seniors can’t afford to wait over 3 months to receive lost money they rely on to pay for housing and daily necessities–money owed to them after being unfairly withheld during a time of immense financial strain.
“CanAge is relieved that vulnerable seniors who had their GIS unfairly clawed back can now expect help as early as March,” says Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO. “We congratulate and thank Minister Khera, Claude Debellefeuille (Bloc Quebecois), and NDP Seniors’ Critic Rachel Blaney for their commitment to urgently driving this forward.”
Today’s announcement follows Minister Khera’s recent introduction of Bill C-12, which would introduce new measures to prevent similar GIS clawbacks in the future.
CanAge will continue advocating on behalf of low income seniors for better, and more, financial protections to allow them to live with the dignity and security they deserve.