55 PLUS Program - A Manitoba Income Supplement
Jurisdiction
	Manitoba
Agency Responsible for the Policy/Program
	MB Family Services and Housing, Provincial Services
Policy/Program Purpose
	The 55 PLUS Program provides quarterly income supplements to lower-income Manitobans who are 55 years of age and over.
Benefits and Services
	The maximum quarterly benefit available for both Senior and Junior components of the 55 PLUS Program is $111.60 for single persons and $119.90 for each eligible married person.
Contact Information
	Mike Zebinski Supervisor, Income Supplements Manitoba Family Services and Housing Provincial Services P.O. Box 3000, 203 South Railway Street East Killarney, Manitoba R0K 1G0 Phone: 1-800-563-8793 or 204-523-5230 Fax: 204-523-5240 Email: incsupplus@gov.mb.ca
Year the Policy/Program was Implemented
	1986
Last Year that a Change Affected this Policy/Program
	2003
Hyperlink (Link to a Related Website)
	Manitoba Family Services and Housing, 55 PLUS
Brief Description of the Policy Issue
	Income supplement for lower-income seniors. The 55 PLUS program is an income supplement program for lower-income seniors. There are two components. The Junior Component provides for seniors 55 years and over who do not receive Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS) benefits. The Senior Component provides for seniors who are in receipt of certain levels of the GIS.
Sectors the Policy/Program is Most Related To
	· Income security
Relevant Authority for the Policy/Program
	The Social Services Administration Act, Regulation 64/90 and Regulation 65/90
Expected Outcomes for the Policy/Program
	During 2002/2003, 55 PLUS provided income supplements to an average of 12,772 individuals per quarter.
Target Group for this Policy/Program
	The program has two components. The Senior Component is for persons who receive benefits from the Federal Old Age Security Program and certain levels of benefits from the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the survivor. Persons in this component are primarily 65 years of age and over. The Junior Component is for persons 55 years and over who are not eligible to receive Old Age Security benefits, and whose income is within specified levels. Persons who receive income assistance from the Province, the Federal Government or a municipality are not eligible, however those who receive only the health care benefits portion of income assistance may be eligible. The Program's beneficiaries are lower-income seniors in Manitoba.
Total Program Expenditures
	$4,868,600.00
Brief description of any factors that readers should consider
	The benefit is paid quarterly and the smallest amount for the quarter is (a) $12.60 for single people; (b) $11.90 for each eligible member of a couple; and (c) $10.40 for each person when one person is 60 and 64 years and receives the Allowance under the GIS program. The benefit is paid quarterly and the largest amount is $111.60 for single people and $119.90 for each eligible member of a couple.The program provides a quarterly income supplement for lower-income seniors in Manitoba. Under the Junior Component, there is an annual application and the prior year's beneficiaries are sent a re-application package for each new benefit year that starts April 1. An application may be made at any time in the year and benefits are payable commencing in the quarter in which the completed application is received. Under the Senior Component, benefits are automatically paid to eligible beneficiaries based on their annual application for federal GIS benefits.

Eligibility Criteria
Age Range for Eligibility
	From 55
Income Test Applied to Determine Eligibility for Benefits/Services
	· Based on family income
Year the Income Test is Based On
	· Prior year
Definition of Income Used in Test
	gross family income
Maximum Amount of Annual Income for which Full Benefits/Services may be Obtained
	$8,930.40
Amount of Annual Income at Which No Benefits/Services May Be Obtained
	$9,722.40
Minimum Length of Time Required to Maintain Residency
	The senior must reside in Manitoba and, in the case of the Junior Component be registered with the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan.
Family Status Required for Eligibility
	· Single · Married · Common-law (different gender) · Common-law (same gender) · Separated · Divorced · Widowed
Other Eligibility Criteria
	BenefitsSenior component benefits are available to those with little or no income other than OAS/GIS benefits. In the Junior Component maximum benefits are available to single seniors with an income of up to $8,930.40, and to married seniors with an income of up to $14,479.20 and partial benefits are available to single seniors with an income between $8.930.41 and $9,722.40 to married seniors with an income between $14,479.21 and $16,207.20. Benefits are not available to persons who are incarcerated.

Benefits and Services
Factors Considered in Setting Level of Financial Benefit
	Income level and family status determine the level of benefits payable.
Factors Which Determine Length of Time a Benefit is Received
	· As long as beneficiaries meet eligibility requirements
Age at which Benefits are Terminated
	0.00
This record was last reviewed:
2004-01-05