National

Ontario May Increase Seniors' Benefit Above What Was Announced In Budget

The Canadian Press, 29 Feb, 2016 11:02 AM

TORONTO — Premier Kathleen Wynne says her government is considering raising the threshold for a low-income seniors' benefit — just four days after announcing a change in the budget.

The Liberal government's budget on Thursday said that starting Aug. 1 single seniors with an income of up to $19,300 would qualify for the benefit, up from the previous threshold of just over $16,000.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath asked the premier in question period today if she believes a senior with an income of $19,300 is affluent.

In response, Wynne said her government will "look carefully" at that amount and if they didn't get it right, they will "correct" it during consultation on the regulation.

Seniors above the threshold will have to pay a $170 deductible under the Ontario Drug Benefit, up from $100, and their co-payment per prescription will rise $1.

The threshold for senior couples is set to rise from $24,175 to $32,300.

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