Tough Times Article- Nov-Dec 2017

Programs and Resources for Older Adults in Peel

As a local Councillor, I am often asked by older adults and their family members about what programs
and resources the City of Mississauga offers to support older adults. As such, I would like to provide
a brief overview of some of the programs and resources that the City provides for the older adult
community as follows:

Tax Rebate Program

The City of Mississaugas Tax Rebate Program offers a $400 tax rebate on annual property taxes for
low income seniors and low income persons with disabilities who own and occupy their own home.
To be eligible for a tax rebate, you must be receiving benefits under the Guaranteed Income
Supplement Program, or the Ontario Disability Support Program. Application forms must be
submitted by December 31st of the year in which the rebate is claimed. For additional information
regarding the program, please visit www.mississauga.ca/taxassistance or contact 3-1-1.

Driveway Windrow Snow Clearing Program

The City of Mississaugas Driveway Windrow Snow Clearing Program is a City-wide program to clear
snow windrows from the driveways of older adults (65 years of age or older) and individuals who are
physically disabled. A windrow is the snow that is left at the bottom of a driveway after a snowplow
has cleared a road. This program provides snow clearing service after every snow plowing.

Participation in the program is FREE for:

Older adults (65 years or older) who are eligible for financial assistance (net individual income
or combined family income below the Low Income Cut Off amounts)
Individuals who are physically disabled (as verified by a health professional) who are eligible
for financial assistance (net individual income or combined family income below the Low
Income Cut Off amounts)

Participation in the program is $200/ season for:

Older adults (65 years or older) who are not eligible for financial assistance
Individuals who are physically disabled (as verified by a health professional) who are not
eligible for financial assistance

Participation in this program is available on a first come, first served basis. You may apply for the
program at any City of Mississauga Community Centre and the Customer Service Centre. For more
information, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.mississauga.ca/drivewaywindrowprogram.

Stormwater Subsidy Program

The Stormwater Subsidy Program provides a 100% subsidy to low-income seniors and low-income
persons with disabilities to offset their stormwater charge. The stormwater charge is a new,
dedicated source of funding that supports the Citys stormwater infrastructure. Financial assistance
to low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities under this program is based on the
Citys Tax Rebate Program. Staff use the existing property tax rebate process and eligibility to
automatically identify property owners who will be eligible for the subsidy. For more information about
this subsidy, please visit www.mississauga.ca/stormwater/residential-charge.

Yard Maintenance Subsidy Program

The Yard Maintenance Subsidy Program provides financial assistance up to a maximum of $200 per
year for snow clearing and grass cutting. To be eligible for the Yard Maintenance Subsidy, you must
be 65 years or older and in receipt of the GIS; or be physically disabled and in receipt of an
allowance, benefits or income support under the ODSP or under the Ontario Works Support Act. In
addition, you must reside as an owner or tenant in a residential property and not live in a high-rise or
similar multi-unit building. For more information about this program, please visit
www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/yardmaintenancesubsidy or call 3-1-1.

ActiveAssist Program
The City of Mississaugas ActiveAssist program is designed to help eligible low income families and
individuals in Mississauga participate in the Citys Recreation and Culture programs. The program
provides eligible families and individuals with a fee credit of $275 per person, per year, deposited into
their program account. This credit can be applied to activities such as swimming, skating, fitness,
and summer camps. To be eligible for fee assistance, you must

Be a resident of Mississauga
Have a total net individual or combined family income below the Low Income Cut Off (LICO)
amounts established by Statistics Canada.
Be able to provide current, official documentation that shows total family net income

Applications for ActiveAssist may be completed in person at any City of Mississauga Community
Centre, or the Customer Service Centre located on the ground floor of the Central Library. For more
information about the ActiveAssist program, please call 905-615-4100 or visit the ActiveAssist
website at www.mississauga.ca/activeassist.

MiWay Affordable Transit Pilot Program and $1 Senior Cash Fare

The MiWay Affordable Transit Pilot Program provides low-income residents living in Mississauga with
access to affordable public transit. The pilot program is a partnership between the Region of Peel
and the City of Mississauga. The program subsidizes the cost of adult and senior monthly passes by
50% for Mississauga residents that fall within the Low Income Measure (LIM) thresholds according to
household income. In addition to the Affordable Transit Pilot Program, MiWay is also offering a
special $1 Senior Cash Fare (age 65+) as part of a new pilot program. The $1 Senior Cash Fare is
valid on MiWay during off-peak hours as follows:
Weekdays from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Weekdays after 7 p.m.
Anytime on weekends or holidays

For more information about the Affordable Transit Pilot Program, please visit www.povertyinpeel.ca.
For more information about the $1 Senior Cash Fare, please visit www.miway.ca/busfares.

I hope you find this brief overview of the municipal programs and resources for older adults to be
useful and informative. For additional information about the Citys programs and resources for older
adults, please visit the Citys Older Adult Website at www.mississauga.ca/olderadults.

Councillor George Carlson was elected in 2000 as Councillor for Mississaugas Ward 11 community
in north-west Mississauga, which encompasses Streetsville, Credit Mills, Meadowvale Village,
Meadowvale South, Credit Valley, Levi Creek, and Meadowvale Business Park. Prior to serving as a
Councillor, he served as a School Trustee for four terms and operated several small businesses in
Ward 11.