Alberta to tighten income rules for seniors’ benefits, premier cites program misuse

Alberta seniors will soon face stricter income limits to qualify for provincial financial assistance, part of a broader government review of social programs that Premier Danielle Smith says is aimed at preventing misuse.

Changes taking effect July 1 will lower the income threshold for the Alberta Seniors Benefit by nine per cent.

Currently, residents 65 and older who earn up to $34,770 qualify. Under the new rules, eligibility will drop to just under $32,000, meaning fewer seniors will receive the benefit.

Premier Danielle Smith says the adjustment is part of an effort to ensure Alberta’s programs aren’t being misused.

“We’re trying to make sure that we don’t have overly generous social programs so that people move to Alberta just to take advantage of social programs,” Smith said.

But the Alberta NDP’s seniors critic, Lori Sigurdson, is challenging that rationale, saying the government has not provided evidence that people are relocating to exploit benefits.

“Let’s see the stats, she was kinda suggesting this is so but… I think it’s just a myth,” Sigurdson said.

New residents must already wait three months before becoming eligible for the benefit. When asked whether the province considered extending that waiting period, the premier’s office did not respond.

Smith says the changes are part of a province‑wide review of social programs, including adjustments to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program.

“We want to make sure that those who need it, those who built this province and were taxpayers all their lives are supported properly,” she said. “We also have to make sure that we’re not inadvertently creating an incentive for people to be seeking out the highest benefits.”

The province says it will also review other eligibility metrics, including income and asset testing, as part of the ongoing overhaul.