News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

May 5, 2020

Province Investing $45 Million for Manitoba Seniors to Lessen Financial Burden Posed by COVID-19 Pandemic

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Seniors Throughout our Province Deserve our Help and Support: Pallister

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The province is extending $45 million in direct financial support to Manitoba seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic through the new Seniors Economic Recovery Credit that will deliver a $200 tax credit to each recipient, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

“Senior citizens across the province are facing increased financial hardships because they now have to pay extra for grocery deliveries, or purchasing and learning to use technology at home so they can communicate with their family members and the loved ones they miss,” said Pallister. “Manitobans are working together to navigate this challenging time and seniors throughout our province deserve our help and support.”

Created through an expansion of the Manitoba Protection Plan for the public health crisis, the Seniors Economic Recovery Credit will provide every Manitoban aged 65 and older with a one-time, refundable tax credit of $200. To ensure best use of the credit, the Department of Finance will proactively mail a payment cheque as a credit advance to each senior who filed a 2018 income tax return prior to April 1, 2020.

Seniors who have changed mailing addresses since the time of their 2018 tax filings will have an opportunity to update the Department of Finance on their address changes through a government web portal at www.manitoba.ca/seniorseconomicrecoverycredit. Those who do not receive a cheque, have not updated their addresses or are new residents of Manitoba will be able to receive the $200 credit when they file their 2020 income tax return.

Almost every senior across the province will receive the payment in May. The $200 credit will not be counted taxable as income and will not be used to claw back income-tested benefits to seniors, the premier noted.

“As we slowly and carefully begin the process of reopening of our province’s economy, this credit is putting $45 million directly into the hands of Manitobans as we move forward from COVID-19,” said Pallister. “Manitoba seniors deserve assistance during this pandemic. We can’t relieve all of their stress during these difficult times, but we can make it more affordable for them.”

A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at:
https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.

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