|
I Cannot Afford A Nursing Home |
|
|
|
Long-term care homes cannot refuse admission to eligible individuals
based solely on their inability to pay for accommodation.
If you do not have enough income to pay for the basic room, the government
can help you through a subsidy that will bring the cost down to a level you can
pay. The subsidy is not available to people requesting semi-private or private
rooms.
If you wish to apply for a subsidy, you must provide your Notice of Assessment
from the Canada Revenue Agency (formerly Revenue Canada), which provides proof of
your annual income. You receive a Notice of Assessment each year after filing
your income tax return. If you cannot find your Notice of Assessment, you can
call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281 to have the information you need
sent.
Applying for a subsidy requires you to disclose only your annual yearly income.
It does not include the value of your assets.
If a large portion of your pension income will be going towards payment for the
home and leaving your spouse with little or no income, call the Income Security
Programs at 1-800-277-9914 for further information.
Involuntary Separation
When care for one's spouse can no longer be provided at home, couples are
sometimes forced to live separately. The spouse who remains at home may be
placed in a difficult financial position. This is called an involuntary
separation. If you are a senior receiving the Government of Canada Guaranteed
Income Supplement (GIS) in addition to your Old Age Security (OAS), you may
qualify for higher benefits. The CCAC will provide information and assistance
if you are in this situation.
|
