A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
Seniors with low-income can get financial assistance to help afford the cost of appliances and specific health and personal supports.
Make a request online: you can use your MyAlberta Seniors account to provide your Special Needs Assistance for Seniors claims and review your claims history online. This is the fastest option for processing claims and provides you access to benefits without paper documents. MyAlberta Seniors Account is a free and secure way to access various online government services. Create your account.
Provide documents online: this online option is the easiest way to send your claims, receipts, estimates and updated information to the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program.
The benefit year for the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program starts July 1 of one year and ends June 30 of the following year.
To be eligible for this program you must:
If you or your spouse, or both, have deferred receiving the Old Age Security pension, you are not eligible for Special Needs Assistance for Seniors.
Any expenses you have before your 65th birthday are not eligible for funding. Special Needs Assistance for Seniors does not provide assistance for individuals under 65 years of age, including spouses, dependent children and grandchildren.
The maximum assistance available in a benefit year is $5,412. The amount you may be eligible to receive is determined by:
In general, a single senior with a total annual income of $29,630 or less, or a senior couple with a total combined annual income of $48,120 or less, may be eligible to receive assistance.
Your (and your spouse or partner’s) total income, line 15000 of your previous year’s income tax return(s), is used to determine your eligibility for the current year’s benefits.
If you received Canada emergency response benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic (for example, CERB or Canada Recovery Benefits) in 2021, you may be eligible to have your seniors financial assistance eligibility based on your 2022 estimated income. For more information, please call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992.
The Government of Canada issued a one-time payment of $500 to eligible Old Age Security recipients aged 75 and older in August 2021. This payment will not affect eligibility or benefit amounts for Alberta seniors financial assistance programs. For payment information, contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Eligible items are funded at primary or secondary income levels.
Marital status | Annual total income | Funding level |
---|---|---|
Single senior | $25,230 or less | Primary and secondary items |
$25,231 to $29,630 | Primary items only | |
Over $29,630 | No funding | |
Senior couple | $39,920 or less | Primary and secondary items |
$39,921 to $48,120 | Primary items only | |
Over $48,120 | No funding |
Special Needs Assistance for Seniors considers specific items that fall into one of the following 3 categories:
Your income level determines whether you are eligible for primary or secondary items.
Note: A receipt or estimate of costs is required for all requests, unless otherwise indicated.
Special circumstances may affect the assessment of your Special Needs Assistance for Seniors request.
If you are a senior couple who have been involuntarily separated for health reasons and one of you is residing in a long-term care or designated supportive living facility, the Alberta Seniors Benefit program may provide additional support. Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program may also take into consideration that you are maintaining two residences.
If you live in long-term care or designated supportive living, Special Needs Assistance for Seniors will deduct any Supplementary Accommodation Benefit claimed on your income tax return before calculating your eligibility for assistance.
Estates of a deceased senior may be eligible to receive reimbursement for expenses that a senior incurred prior to his or her death. The request must be received within 3 months of the date of death to be considered.
To make a claim you must first be enrolled in the seniors financial assistance programs.
If you have already completed this application form, there is no need to apply again.
You will not be eligible for any item purchased prior to your enrollment in the seniors financial assistance programs.
Send a receipt or estimate for each of the items requested. Ensure the receipt or estimate includes your:
You may use the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors request form (PDF, 42 KB) when providing your receipt or estimate, but it is not necessary to make a claim.
Some funded items need medical notes. Unless otherwise specified, a health professional includes:
The program can accept a receipt for an item that was bought up to 12 months prior to the date it was received. The date of the receipt is compared to the date we receive your claim.
You must have been eligible to make a claim when the item was purchased.
Use your MyAlberta Seniors account to make your Special Needs Assistance for Seniors claims and review your claims history online. To make a claim or to create a MyAlberta Seniors account, click on the link below and follow the step-by-step instructions.
After review, the SNA program will send you a letter advising of your eligibility.
Online requests to the SNA program are voluntary. If you prefer, you may continue to request assistance using mail, fax and in-person options.
Fax to 780-422-5954
Mail to:
Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
PO Box 3100
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3
We will review your request and contact you by mail regarding the outcome.
You may be contacted for additional information. If additional information is requested and not provided, the request will be assessed with the information on hand. The file may be closed if the missing information is critical to making a decision.
If you provided an estimate to SNA and have received funding, you may be asked to send in receipts showing that you purchased and paid for the items. Keep all receipts for funded items for at least 2 years from the date of purchase.
If you do not spend the money on approved items, you may be asked to return the funding.
If you do not send in a receipt, or return the funding, you will not be eligible for assistance in the future.
To request an explanation or review of the information used to determine your eligibility for the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992
You may appeal a decision regarding your request for assistance.
Send information and supporting documentation that will assist with the review of your file to:
Director, Seniors Financial Assistance
Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
PO Box 3100
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3
Or send by fax to: 780-422-5954
If your concern is not resolved, request a final review by writing to:
Assistant Deputy Minister
Seniors Division
PO Box 3100
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3
Or send by fax to: 780-422-5954
Once Step 2 is complete, a Notice of Appeal form will be mailed to you. Follow the instructions provided with the form.
Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:
Hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992
Fax: 780-422-5954
Address:
Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
PO Box 3100
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3
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