Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care

As we age, there might come a time when we are no longer able to make some decisions on our own. It's important for our loved ones to know our wishes and that someone we trust has the authority to look out for usu. Before that time comes, it's best to have a plan in place so families can better support us.

Learn more:

• Personal Income Tax
• Health Benefits
• Family Law
• Legal Info Senior's Guide
• Financial & Retirement Planning
• Power of Attorney, Joint Bank Account & Health Care Directives
• Wills & Estates

Personal Income Tax

When you retire or turn 65 years of age, you may become eligible for tax credits. It is very important that you complete your income tax every year to ensure you receive all the benefits due to you.

Are you eligible to get your taxes done for free?

• Learn more about free tax clinics
• Learn if you are eligible, and find tax clinics near you

Learn more about provincial and federal income taxes:

• Manitoba government: Personal Income Tax
• Canada government: Personal Income Tax, Taxes when you retire or turn 65 years old

Tax Credits or Rebates

Many seniors live on a fixed income and have questions about income taxes. Depending on your age and income seniors may be eligible for tax credits or rebates:

• Visit Manitoba Personal Tax Credits to see what provincial tax credits you may be eligible for, such as
  • Primary Caregiver Tax Credit
  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Personal Tax Credit
  • Pension Amount
  • Age Amount
  • Caregiver Amount
• Manitoba also offers several tax credits for homeowners and renters, some of which benefit seniors more than others. Should you require further information about these benefits and whether you may be eligible, please contact the Manitoba Tax Assistance Office at 204-948-2115 (toll free 1-800-782-0771) or via email at tao@gov.mb.ca.

Other federal programs are available - use the benefits finder tool find which benefits you may be eligible for, such as:

• Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence Program for home renovations.
• War Veterans Allowance
• First Nations people and Inuit Assisted Living Program
• International Benefits Program
• Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program or Emergency Repair Program is for those with low incomes

For more information: What every older Canadian should know about: Income and benefits from government programs

Income Security Benefits

To be eligible for government benefits, you must first file a personal income tax return. Income benefits often depend on your level of income. Many government programs are available to help seniors stay financially independent. Use the benefits finder tool to find which benefits you may be eligible for, such as:

• 55-Plus Manitoba Income Supplement - for those with lower incomes
• School Tax Assistance for Tenants 55 Plus (STAT 55+) - for those who rent
• Rent Assist - for those who rent and receive Employment and Income Assistance
• Old Age Security (OAS) - for those who are age 65 or older
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) - for those with low income who already receive OAS
• Allowance for the Survivor - for those receiving GIS and your spouse is between 60 and 64, widows can also claim this allowance
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) - for those who work in Canada and paid into the plan

Health Benefits

When you retire or turn 65 years of age, you may become eligible for tax credits. It is very important that you complete your income tax every year to ensure you receive all the benefits due to you.

Are you eligible to get your taxes done for free?

• Learn more about free tax clinics
• Learn if you are eligible, and find tax clinics near you

Learn more about provincial and federal income taxes:

• Manitoba government: Personal Income Tax
• Canada government: Personal Income Tax, Taxes when you retire or turn 65 years old

Tax Credits or Rebates

Many seniors live on a fixed income and have questions about income taxes. Depending on your age and income seniors may be eligible for tax credits or rebates:

• Visit Manitoba Personal Tax Credits to see what provincial tax credits you may be eligible for, such as
  • Primary Caregiver Tax Credit
  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Personal Tax Credit
  • Pension Amount
  • Age Amount
  • Caregiver Amount
• Manitoba also offers several tax credits for homeowners and renters, some of which benefit seniors more than others. Should you require further information about these benefits and whether you may be eligible, please contact the Manitoba Tax Assistance Office at 204-948-2115 (toll free 1-800-782-0771) or via email at tao@gov.mb.ca.

Other federal programs are available - use the benefits finder tool find which benefits you may be eligible for, such as:

• Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence Program for home renovations.
• War Veterans Allowance
• First Nations people and Inuit Assisted Living Program
• International Benefits Program
• Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program or Emergency Repair Program is for those with low incomes

For more information: What every older Canadian should know about: Income and benefits from government programs

Income Security Benefits

To be eligible for government benefits, you must first file a personal income tax return. Income benefits often depend on your level of income. Many government programs are available to help seniors stay financially independent. Use the benefits finder tool to find which benefits you may be eligible for, such as:

• 55-Plus Manitoba Income Supplement - for those with lower incomes
• School Tax Assistance for Tenants 55 Plus (STAT 55+) - for those who rent
• Rent Assist - for those who rent and receive Employment and Income Assistance
• Old Age Security (OAS) - for those who are age 65 or older
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) - for those with low income who already receive OAS
• Allowance for the Survivor - for those receiving GIS and your spouse is between 60 and 64, widows can also claim this allowance
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) - for those who work in Canada and paid into the plan

Family Law

Family law is about rights and responsibilities within families. Family Law applies to

• Family changes (e.g., new marriage or common-law relationship, separation, or divorce).
• Legal relationships and responsibilities adults have towards children, including adoption, care, and protection.
• Financial responsibilities former partners or spouses may have to each other and how property is divided upon separation

The Family Resolution Service may offer assistance if you are going through separation and divorce, or if you are a grandparent seeking assistance to have contact with grandchildren when parents are not allowing this.

For more information on family resources please visit Manitoba Family Law Resources or call 211 MB.

Legal Info Senior's Guide

Nearly everyone has an estate. Your estate includes all the things you own and accumulate over your lifetime. It can include things like your home, savings, investments, and items of personal or sentimental value. Deciding what is going to happen to your estate is a very important decision.

A whole body of law exists to make it easier to settle an estate. A resource guide has been created to help Manitoba seniors better understand wills and estates. It includes information about powers of attorney and health care directives.

This guide provides general information. How the law affects you specifically depends on your individual circumstances. Also, the law may change from time to time. If you have a legal problem or need specific advice, it is best to consult a lawyer.

Financial & Retirement Planning

Provincial and federal levels of government have worked together to create resources for seniors. Use the benefits finder tool to help you find benefits that you may be eligible for.

Loss of Independence

No one likes to imagine a time when you are no longer able take care of yourself. If you get ill, or have an accident, it is important to be prepared. Find a person you can trust and who is willing and able to help. Learn more about your options, and what happens if you do nothing to plan ahead.

• One way to learn about options is to meet with a lawyer.
• When you assign an enduring power of attorney, this gives a trusted person in your life the ability to manage your property. It does not grant them other decision-making authority unless granted in their particular power of attorney document.
• If you don't plan ahead, a Public Trustee may be appointed to make decisions they think are in your best interest.
• There are many considerations and tips to consider.

The Public Guardian and Trustee is only appointed for individuals who are assessed as incapable where there is no one else willing or able to manage the affairs of the person and decisions need to be made for the person.

If an individual is assessed as incapable, and they haven't made arrangements, a person in their life could apply to become a private committee under The Mental Health Act. However, this would depend on whether there is someone willing to make the application to the court. The person who is incapable would not have the ability to direct who makes the application or whether an application is made at all.

For more information visit: What every older Canadian should know about: Planning for possible loss of independence

Power of Attorney, Joint Bank Account & Health Care Directives

Older people may worry about what happens if they are unable to manage their own finances. It is a good idea to plan for a time when you may need help.

• Two tools often used are enduring powers of attorney and joint bank accounts. It is important to know how a power of attorney, or a joint bank account, works before you use them. There are risks and advantages to both.
• Two tools often used are enduring powers of attorney and joint bank accounts. It is important to know how a power of attorney, or a joint bank account, works before you use them. There are risks and advantages to both.
• Many people complete a health care directive at the same time as their wills, ensuring people they trust have a copy. This document is provided to doctors in times of health care emergencies and guide decision making.
  • The health care directive can be completed without the assistance of a lawyer
  • In the health care directive, a person can name a proxy to make decision on their behalf. You can also give specific directions on what treatment you would or would not want.
  • For more information visit: Health Care Directive in Manitobas Carefully consider all options before making any decisions.
• Manitobans can reference this document, A Legal Information Guide for Seniors, to learn more about these topics.

For more information visit: What every older Canadian should know about: Powers of attorney and joint bank accounts

Wills & Estates

Discussing end of life matters can be difficult. Wills and estate planning can help ensure your wishes are followed. It's important that your property and possessions are handled in the way you want. Talking with your family and making your wishes known for your funeral can help your family make decisions after you are gone.

• Even if you don't have a lot of money or property, it's still a good idea to name an executor.
• If you don't make a will, a relative may need to appeal to the courts to manage your estate.
• Learn more about estate laws in Manitoba

For more information visit: What every older Canadian should know about: Having a will and making funeral plans