Living keeps getting more expensive, but there are ways to pinch pennies on premiums.
As of New Year’s Day, B.C.’s Medical Services Plan premiums were hiked four per cent. Individuals earning more than $30,000 annually now pay $900 a year for MSP coverage. A family of two pays $1,632 per year and a family of three, $1,800.
Under B.C.’s Regular Premium Assistance program, rates are adjusted downward for lower income groups and singles, with families with net incomes less than $22,000 paying nothing.
Just 39 per cent of seniors are aware of the Regular Premium Assistance program. Isobel Mackenzie, B.C.’s seniors advocate, urges low-income seniors to check eligibility to receive subsidies for MSP premiums.
“Some seniors are paying $900 per year for their MSP and many may qualify for a full or partial subsidy of this amount,” Mackenzie said in a press release last week. “Seniors have one of the lowest median incomes and would likely benefit the most from MSP Premium Assistance. Many are not aware that they qualify.”
MSP increases only apply to people with annual incomes greater than $30,000, but remain at 2015 rates for lower-income earners.
Relief from rising monthly living costs can be found elsewhere, too.
Fortis and B.C. Hydro don’t offer discounts for gas and electricity, but do provide free energy-saving kits to low-income households that can help lower energy bills.
B.C. Housing offers subsidized housing and rental assistance programs for low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, refugees and refugee status applicants.
Nanaimo Regional Transit System offers bus fare discounts for seniors, youths and university students. Children under five ride for free.
B.C. Ferries offers discounts for seniors, disabled people and students through its B.C. Resident Assistance Program.
Surviving in Nanaimo is a 20-page brochure listing free and discounted services for seniors, youths, First Nations, and people with addictions or disabilities.
“This is a guide that we produce,” said John Horn, city social planner. “It’s called a guide to local agencies or services, but these are all free [or] low-cost services.”
Surviving in Nanaimo directs readers to food, household goods, community resources, counselling, health and legal services, housing and more and is available at various service, social and health agency locations, including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Nanaimo Citizens Advocacy and the Salvation Army.