S-240Bill not proceeded with

Law to Change How Seniors' Income is Defined

Seniors' Income Definition Law

Introduced Mar 21, 2022·Last discussed Sep 22, 2022

Summary

This proposed law wanted to change how the government figures out your income when deciding how much Old Age Security (OAS) money you get. OAS is a monthly payment for most Canadians 65 and older. Right now, the government looks at all your income to see if you qualify for the full amount or a reduced amount. The proposed change would have stopped the government from counting certain disability payments as income. This means if you receive money because you have a disability, that money wouldn't be included when calculating your OAS. This could have helped people with disabilities who are also seniors. It could have meant they would get more OAS money each month because their income would appear lower. This matters because it could have given more financial support to seniors with disabilities. Many people with disabilities rely on OAS to help cover their living costs. By not counting disability payments as income, the proposed law could have made a real difference in their lives, helping them afford necessities and live more comfortably.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Taxes & Government SpendingInvest more in public services

By excluding disability payments from income calculations for Old Age Security, the bill would likely increase government spending on OAS benefits, thus expanding government programs.

Housing & Cost of LivingBalance market and affordability programs

By increasing OAS benefits for some people with disabilities, the bill could indirectly alleviate some cost of living pressures, including housing costs, for this vulnerable group.

This bill

Bill Quality

Solid

This proposed law clarifies how a specific COVID-19 benefit payment is treated when calculating income for Old Age Security benefits, ensuring it doesn't negatively impact seniors. However, it only addresses one specific benefit, potentially leaving other similar situations unclear.

Things to Watch For

It only addresses one specific COVID-19 benefit, and other benefits might still affect Old Age Security.
The law doesn't explain how other types of income are treated, so seniors still need to be careful.
The change only affects how income is calculated and doesn't change any other rules about Old Age Security.

Progress

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