\v 36 ~- Sunday, March 25, 1990 - North Shore News LIFESTYLES Fielip’s at hand HELP’S AT Hand, a_ weekly feature by the North Shore Infor- mation and Volunteer Centre, an- swers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and_ legal tights, taxation and public ser- vices. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. kak Question: My husband retired last September when he reached the age of 65. Although I am only 59, Tam thinking that I should give up my part-time job some time in the next year so thai I can spend more time with him and maybe have to time to visit some of our relatives who are scattered around Canada, I know I can't get my Old Age Security Pension until I am 65 but 1 think there is some kind of al- lowance I can get until tien. Can you tell me? Answer: The allowance you are re- ferring to is called the Spouse’s Al- lowance and is available to those people, male or female, between the ages of 60 and 65, whose spouse is collecting the Old Age Security (OAS) Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. For the purposes of the Spouse’s Allowance spouses are defined as people who are legally married or who have been living together in a common-law relationship for one year. ADVERTISING CORRECTION The FULL CARE SERVICE SALE March, 1990 Flyer Front page: ‘ Spartan File Folders should have read: SPARTAN HANGING FILE FOLDERS 25 FOLDERS PER BOX Also, next day delivery does not necessarily apply to furniture. We regret the errors stated above and apologize for any inconve- nience or confusion that may have been caused to our valued customers. WILLSON/WILLIAMS & MACKIE CROSS THE NARROWS TO NIAGARA The residency requirements are the same as those for OAS, and whether you are eligible for the al- lowance and the amount you might receive depend on your joint in- come. The Spouse’s Allowance works on the same principle as the Guar- anteed Income Supplement. The less income you have, the more Spouse’s Allowance you receive. You will stop collecting Spouse’s Allowance when you reach the age of 65 and begin to collect your OAS pension (remember you must apply to receive an OAS pension). The allowance also stops if you separate or divorce, if you are a widow or widower and remarry or if you leave Canada for more than six months. Application forms are sent di- rectly to the spouses of people who are receiving OAS pension, if the OAS form indicates that the spouse may meet the age require- ments. You have to re-apply by GIFT SHOP ON THE CAPILANO RESERVE FOR EXCITING LOCALLY MADE INDIAN CRAFTS © Handcarved yellow cedar totem poles ® Sterling silver and gold jewellery © Cowichan sweaters @ Moccasins © Limited edition prints 270 Whonoak St. North Vancouver 987-3339 Mon.-Fri. 12-5 Saturday 10-5 Located one block off Marine Drive and McGuire St., behind the Plaza Towers Read Wednesday’‘s North Shore Now Section to find out how you can win one of 5 pairs of CN IMAX Theatre tickets. Currently showing is the breathtaking NIAGARA: Miracles, Myths and Magic. THE VOICE OF MOUTH Amn WE ST VANE OU: van re is March 31 every year. You will have to complete a statement of joint income and your latest in- come tax return will be helpful when you do this. If you have any questions you can phone the Income Security Programs office at Health and Welfare Canada at 666-3040 for more information. nee The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P IM3, telephone 985- 7138. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. Fist, rie WELL DONE! The Province of British Columbia congratulates the following local artists Whe have qualified for the 1990 B.C. Festival of the Arts: HANDSWORTH INTERMEDIATE ‘A’ CONCERT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KEITH WOODWARD Saanich and Greater Victoria May 23 - 27, 1990 Imagine the Celebration! Supported by the Province of British Columbia, Monistry of Murcia! Atfaws, Recreaton and Cutture through tne BC Lottery Funa tdinster responsidte Hon Lyall Hanson Seating - 8pm Above Lonsdale Quay Market - 986-6111 Look at what's new for 1990! We're the one’s with it ALL?! Announces The only Comedy Stop on the North Shore Appearing Wednesday Nights Some of Vancouver's best in _ Live Stand-up Comedy Punchline Style Showtime - 9pm HOSPICE SOCIETY support. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MARCH 29 — 7:30 P.M. Guest Speaker CLAUDE DOSDALL Director of Hope, Cancer Health Centre LIONS GATE HOSPITAL AUDITORIUM offers lower tuition - lower cost of living than in Vancouver or Victoria and the opportunity to enter THESE Degree Programs — * Bachelor of ARTS (General) from UBC * Bachelor of SCIENCE from UBC * Bachelor of BUSINESS STUDIES from SFU * Bachelor of EDUCATION — Elementary from UBC * Bachelor of Science in NURSING from UVIC Graduates eam degree from the University of origin Call TODAY TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-2955 or Write to Cariboo College, Box 3010, KAMLOOPS, B.C. V2C 5N3 Deadline for Applications is June 30, 1990 LIONS GATE The Lions Gate Hospice Society is dedicated to providing complete and compassionate care to terminally ill people and their families through physical, emotional and spiritual Can You AFFORD to Finish Your University Degree? Cariboo College — Kamloops, B.C. now a designated University-College