HELP’S AT HAND HELP’S AT Hand, a2 weekly feature by North Shore Com- munity Services, answers questions about and discusses such topics as government policies and pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a gener- al guide and should not be applied te individual cases without further consultation. Question: My husband reached the age of 65 last fali and has been receiving his Old Age Securi- ty Pension since then. I will turn 65 myself at the end of this year and will also be abie to collect a pension, but J am afraid that it will not be enough to live. My employer has (old me that I don't have to retire when | reach 65 if [ don’t want to — he would be happy for me to stay on. How would this affect my Old Age Se- curity Pension? Answer: [t is not necessary to be retired in order to collect Old Age Security Pension. The only selevant factors in qualifying for O.A.S. are your age and your fulfillment of residency require- ments in Canada. Income is not a factor in determining eligibility or . benefit amount but you must ap- ply to receive the Old Age Securi- ty Pension as it does not come to you automatically when you reach age 65. If you feel that the O.A.S. that you and your husband will receive will not be enough for you to manage on, you may well be eli- gible for Guaranteed Income Supplement. This supplement is a monthly benefit for people receiv- ing the Old Age Sccurity Pension who have either no, or only limited, other income besides the pension. The supplement is usual- ly calculated based on the com- bined income of yourself and your husband for the previous year, but can be based on your estimated income for the present year under special circumstances. Like the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement is revised every three months to reflect the cost of living. An application for Guaranteed Income Supplement should be sent to you at the time your applica- tion for the Old Age Security Pension is approved. Complete it and return it to an Income Securi- ty Program office with all the re- quired documentation. Hf vou have difficulty completing the form, call income Security at 666-3040 or our Seniors Legal In- formation Counsellor, Margot Kiss, at 985-7138 who can arrange help. People who have been receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement through the past year shauld recently have received their reap- Plication forms in the mail. It is important to remember that you have to reapply for this supple- ment every year. If you do not, the supplement will not continue. The renewal forms must be received by the Income Security Program office by the middle of March at the latest in order for the April GIS cheque to be mail- ed. if you are receiving Old Age Security Pension but have not previously been eligible to receive Guaranteed Income Supplement because you have had other in- come, you might become eligible if your financial circumstances change for the worse. Once again, you amust apply to receive this benefit. Margot Kiss at the above number can arrange help with Fill- ing in both reapplication and first application forms. North Shore Community Ser- vices, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P_ [M3, telephone 985-7138. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foun- dation. uring the winter months our North Shere News carriers deliver the paper after dark on Wednesdays and Fridays. You can assist our carriers by leaving your out- side light on for them. THE VOL OF HORT AND WEST VANCOUYER SUNDAY - WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY DISTRIBUTION 986-1337 PLEASE HELP US... to provide milk, bread, fruits and vegetables, etc. «FEED THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY * $20 hetps us buy a weekly bag of groceries for one family © $60 helps sustain a family for one month ©3720 assists that same family for a year Please heip those in need. All donations are tax deductible. ~ CLIP AND MAIL WITH YOUR GIFT TODAY _ YES! | want to provide food tor the hunary fj $20 (2 $60 [2 $720 (Other S$ 8 Address ___ fe Cry, Province Code ___. 12 Y THE FOOD BANK = 1850 Quebec Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 3L6 ee om ee ab me oe te 689-366 a, Sunday, February 10, 1991- North Shore News - We still have no sidewalks hue that isn’t going to stop us from having sidewalk sale ot © Robert Bateman © Terry Isaac *RC Gorman Prices UP © Frank Townsles * Alan Hans . And many others DEEP COVE GALLERY FINE ART PRINTS Mon -closed Tues.-Thurs. 10:30-6 Fr. 10:30-8 Sat-Sun. 10:30-5 4391 Gallant Ave. ig ‘spar ‘plugs, fuel injection: calibration: & road test of vehicle. (Slightly more for air: including parts and labour MOST CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS OFFER EXPIRES MARCH 15, 1991 13 NOT INCLUDING DIESEL AND TURBO VEHICLES os We area Licensed Government inspection Facility, so we are committed to the utmost safety and efficiency of your vehicle Sarvice Fours: 7: odams 20pm, Mon.-Fri. 8