The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the Government of Canada’s largest pension program. The OAS pension is a monthly payment available to seniors aged 65 and older who meet the Canadian legal status and residence requirements.
In addition to the OAS pension, there are three types of OAS benefits:The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension provides a monthly benefit to eligible applicants. You can apply for and receive a full CPP retirement pension at age 65 or receive it as early as age 60 with a reduction, or as late as age 70 with an increase.
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance (IA) program provides people in financial need with assistance with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as child care, transportation, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, and eye glasses. (In some places, programs that help people with basic requirements are called “social assistance”, “income support” or “welfare”.)
A Guide to Income Assistance in Nova Scotia by the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service with support from the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia.
The Little Black Book of Scams is a publication of the Competition Bureau Canada on how you can keep yourself informed and fight fraud.
The Halifax Regional Police provides tips for preventing fraud and how to report it.
Senior Citizens’ Financial Aid Act – copy of legislation / statute
Senior Citizens Social Services Act – copy of legislation / statute
Senior Citizens Secretariat Act – copy of legislation / statute
Social Assistance Act – copy of legislation / statute
The Department of Justice is collaborating with the Department of Health, the Department of Community Services and Office of the Public Trustee to implement the Personal Directives Act.
This Act enables Nova Scotians to document their wishes regarding what personal care decisions are made for them, and/or who makes them, in the event that they are incapacitated and are unable to make these decisions themselves. Personal care decisions include those related to health care, nutrition, hydration, shelter, residence, clothing, hygiene, safety, comfort, recreation, social activities and support services. The Personal Directives Act enables three things:
1. It allows individuals to appoint a substitute decision maker to make a personal care decision on their behalf should they become incapable of making the decision.
2. It allows individuals to set out instructions or general principles about what or how personal care decisions should be made when they are unable to make the decisions themselves.
3. In the event a Substitute Decision Maker has not been designated, the Act provides for a hierarchy / list of statutory substitute decision makers who can be designated to make decisions regarding health care, placement in a continuing care home, and home care where the individual has not prepared a personal directive in relation to those decisions. The Public Trustee is listed as the last substitute decision maker in the hierarchy.
Planning for the future is important. You should think about who you want to make decisions for you if you are not capable (temporarily or permanently) to make them yourself.
Planning for your Future Personal Care Choices – brief introduction and overview pamphlet
Personal Directives in Nova Scotia – general information booklet about the Personal Directives Act.
Making Personal Care Decisions for a Loved One – information on how to choose a substitute decision maker
Making a Personal Directive – explanatory information and form to be used
Naming a Delegate Only in a Personal Directive – brief information and form to be used
A guide by Access Nova Scotia to the organizations and affairs that should be dealt with following a death.
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