Ontario seniors have access to more government programs than most people realize. This page lists every major benefit, what it covers, and how to get it. Federal and provincial programs are mixed together because that is how they actually work in your life.
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Income Programs
CPP + OAS + GIS
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Drug Coverage
Automatic at 65
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Dental
Free if low income
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This Page
Everything listed
Income: The Three Pillars
Most Ontario seniors receive income from three federal programs. They are separate programs with separate applications, but they stack together to form your retirement income floor.
💼 Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Up to $1,507.65/mo
Based on your work history. Start age 60 to 70. Average payment is $925/month. You must have contributed at least once. Taxable. Apply through Service Canada 6-12 months before your start date.
Based on Canadian residency, not work. Starts at 65. Most people auto-enrolled. 10% increase at 75. Can defer to 70 for 36% more. Taxable. Clawback if income exceeds $90,997.
Tax-free top-up for low-income OAS recipients. Income under $22,512 (single). Auto-enrolled if auto-enrolled in OAS. Must file taxes every year. Reduces by 50 cents per dollar of other income.
Ontario GAINS: On top of the three federal programs, Ontario adds the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) for seniors who receive GIS. It pays up to $87/month (single) or $174/month (couple) and arrives automatically with your OAS/GIS payment. No separate application needed.
Health Care Coverage
💊 Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)
$100 deductible/year
Automatic at 65. Covers 5,900+ prescription drugs. $6.11 co-pay per prescription after deductible. Low-income seniors can apply for the Seniors Co-Payment Program: $0 deductible, $2 co-pay.
For seniors 65+ with income under $25,000 (single) or $41,500 (couple) and no other dental coverage. Covers cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays. Partial denture coverage. Apply at ontario.ca.
OHIP covers one major eye exam every 18 months for seniors 65+. Visit any optometrist with your health card. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are not covered.
OHIP covers physiotherapy for seniors 65+ at approved community physiotherapy clinics. No referral needed, but some clinics have waitlists. Private physiotherapy is not covered ($80-$150/session).
Home and Long-Term Care
🏡 Home and Community Care
Free
In-home nursing, personal support workers (PSWs), occupational therapy, and social work for seniors who need help at home. Call 310-2222 (Ontario Health atHome) to request an assessment. Based on assessed need.
🏥 Long-Term Care Homes
~$2,085/mo
For people who need 24-hour nursing care. Medical care covered by OHIP. You pay accommodation only. Subsidies available for low-income residents. Apply through Ontario Health atHome (310-2222). Over 40,000 on the waitlist.
Choose who makes health and financial decisions for you if you become incapable. Two types: Personal Care and Property. Free government forms available. Lawyer: $150-$450 per document. Set this up while healthy.
•Age Amount (federal): Non-refundable tax credit for low-income seniors 65+. Reduces the tax you owe. Maximum credit based on net income below $44,325 (2025). Claimed on your tax return.
•Pension Income Splitting: If one spouse has eligible pension income, you can allocate up to 50% to the lower-income spouse's return to reduce combined taxes.
•Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant: Up to $500 per year for low-income senior homeowners (income under about $35,000 single, $45,000 couple). Claimed on your income tax return. No separate application.
•Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB). Paid monthly to help with property taxes, rent, and energy costs. Based on income. Calculated from your tax return.
•GST/HST Credit: Quarterly payments for low to moderate-income Canadians. Automatic when you file taxes. Amounts adjusted for age and income.
•Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit: Refundable credit for medical expenses related to staying in your home. Up to 25% of eligible expenses, maximum $1,500 per year. Claimed on your Ontario tax return.
•Medical Expense Tax Credit: For medical expenses exceeding the lesser of 3% of your net income or $2,759 (2025). Covers prescription drugs, dental work, mobility devices, and attendant care not already covered by other programs.
Other Programs Worth Knowing
•Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP): Monthly credit on your electricity bill for low-income households. Reduces hydro costs by $35 to $75+ per month depending on income and household size.
•Assistive Devices Program (ADP): Provincial funding covering up to 75% of the cost of wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, respiratory equipment, and communication devices.
•Accessible Parking Permit: Free for individuals with qualifying health conditions. Apply online or at ServiceOntario.
•Senior Driver Renewal (80+): Drivers 80 and over renew every 2 years with a vision test and cognitive screening. Cost is $36.
•Canadian Dental Care Plan (federal): For Canadians with household income under $90,000 without private dental insurance. Covers cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures with an income-based co-pay. Separate from the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
•Seniors Safety Line: Free, confidential, 24/7 support for elder abuse. Call 1-866-299-1011 if you or someone you know is being financially, physically, or emotionally abused.
•211 Ontario: Free, multilingual referral service that connects you to local community programs, food banks, transportation, and support services. Call 211 from any phone, 24 hours a day.
Checklist: What to Do Before and After Turning 65
A visual roadmap of when to act. Amber items need your attention before turning 65. Green items happen automatically. Blue items are ongoing. Do not skip the amber ones or you lose money.
Before You Turn 65
12 months before 65
Apply for CPP Action Needed
Decide whether to start at 60 (36% less), 65 (standard), or 70 (42% more). Check your personal estimate in My Service Canada Account. Apply 6 to 12 months before your desired start date.
Check for your OAS auto-enrollment letter Action Needed
Service Canada sends this around your 64th birthday. If you received it, you are set. If you did not receive one by one month after your 64th birthday, apply manually through My Service Canada Account or Form ISP-3000.
Apply for the Seniors Co-Payment Program Action Needed
If your income is $25,000 or less (single) or $41,500 or less (couple), this eliminates your ODB $100 deductible and drops your prescription co-pay to $2. Apply early so it is in place from day one.
Choose who makes health and financial decisions if you become incapable. You cannot do this after you lose mental capacity. Two documents needed: Personal Care and Property. Free government forms available online.
Prescription drug coverage kicks in automatically. Show your health card at the pharmacy. 5,900+ drugs covered. $100 annual deductible then $6.11 per Rx (or $2 if you applied for the SCP).
OAS and GIS payments begin Automatic (if enrolled)
If you were auto-enrolled, OAS starts automatically. GIS is included if your income qualifies. Combined with Ontario GAINS, a low-income single senior can receive about $1,916 per month from these three programs alone.
Apply for the Seniors Dental Care Program Action Needed
Free cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays, and partial denture coverage for seniors with income under $25,000 (single) or $41,500 (couple) and no other dental coverage. Apply at ontario.ca.
This is not optional. Your GIS, GAINS, Ontario Trillium Benefit, GST/HST credit, property tax grant, and ODB Seniors Co-Payment all depend on your filed return. If you do not file, payments stop in July. File even if your income is zero.
Ongoing
Keep your health card and address up to date
Your health card is required for ODB, eye exams, physiotherapy, doctor visits, and the dental program. Renew it every 5 years at ServiceOntario. Update your address within 6 days of moving.
The month after you turn 75, your OAS pension goes up by 10% permanently. No application needed. This stacks with any deferral bonus if you waited past 65 to start OAS.
At age 80
Driver's licence renewal changes Action Needed
Your licence renewal switches to every 2 years with an in-person appointment that includes a vision test and cognitive screening exercise. Costs $36. Book by calling 1-800-396-4233.
If you need help at home (nursing, personal support, occupational therapy), call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222. If home care is no longer enough, the same team starts the long-term care application process. Apply early because waitlists are long.
I am helping my parent navigate all this. Where do I start? +
Start by confirming they are receiving CPP, OAS, and GIS (if eligible). Check My Service Canada Account for current payments. Make sure their taxes are filed. Apply for the ODB Seniors Co-Payment Program and the dental program if they qualify. Set up a Power of Attorney while they can still consent. Call 211 if you need help finding local support services like transportation, meals, or home care.
My parent does not use a computer. How do they access these programs? +
Every program on this page has a phone application option. Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 for CPP, OAS, and GIS. Call 1-866-811-9893 for the ODB Seniors Co-Payment Program. Visit a ServiceOntario centre in person for health card, driver's licence, and Photo Card services. Call 211 for free local help with form-filling and applications.
What happens if my parent stops filing taxes? +
GIS payments stop in July. GAINS payments stop. GST/HST credits stop. The Ontario Trillium Benefit stops. The property tax grant cannot be calculated. The ODB Seniors Co-Payment Program cannot verify income. Filing taxes is the single most important thing a senior can do to maintain their benefits. If your parent cannot file themselves, contact a CVITP free tax clinic (search "CVITP" plus your city) or call 211 for help.
Are there any programs specifically for veterans? +
Yes. Veterans Affairs Canada offers the Veterans Independence Program (home support services), disability pensions, income replacement benefits, and health care coverage for service-related conditions. Long-term care home residents who are veterans may qualify for additional financial support. Contact Veterans Affairs at 1-866-522-2122 or visit veterans.gc.ca.
Can newcomers who recently turned 65 access these programs? +
CPP requires at least one valid contribution from working in Canada. OAS requires 10 years of Canadian residency after age 18 (or qualifying time from a country with a social security agreement). GIS requires active OAS receipt. ODB is automatic at 65 with a valid Ontario health card. The dental program requires Ontario residency and low income. Newcomers who have not lived in Canada long enough may receive partial OAS or may need to wait until they meet the residency requirement.
