If you’re helping a parent (or planning for yourself) in Alberta, Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA) can provide financial support for specific appliances and selected health and personal supports—including some items that directly help seniors remain safe at home. (Alberta.ca)
This guide focuses on what Albertans search for most:
- Eligibility + income thresholds
- The $5,872 maximum assistance rule
- High-demand supports like housekeeping/yard maintenance, medical alert monitoring, respite, and medical trips
- How to submit requests online (fastest route)
Quick snapshot (the essentials)
- Maximum assistance: Alberta states the maximum assistance available in a benefit year is $5,872. (Alberta.ca)
- Benefit year: July 1 to June 30. (Alberta.ca)
- Income used: Alberta uses Line 15000 (total income) from your previous year’s tax return(s) to determine eligibility for the current year’s benefits. (Alberta.ca)
- Apply/claim online: Requests can be made online through the SNA portal using a MyAlberta Seniors account; Alberta notes this is the fastest option for claims. (Alberta.ca)
What is Special Needs Assistance for Seniors?
Alberta describes SNA as financial assistance for eligible low-income seniors to help afford the cost of appliances plus specific health and personal supports. (Alberta.ca)
SNA items are organized under three categories:
- Health supports
- Personal supports
- Appliances or furniture (Alberta.ca)
Eligibility: who can apply in Alberta?
Alberta states that to be eligible you must: (Alberta.ca)
- Be 65+
- Be an Alberta resident
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Meet financial eligibility criteria
- Have provided a Seniors Financial Assistance application
Important: OAS cannot be deferred
Alberta states that if you or your spouse (or both) have deferred receiving Old Age Security (OAS), you are not eligible for SNA. (Alberta.ca)
Income thresholds (primary vs. secondary items)
Alberta provides a clear breakdown of annual total income thresholds (and which items you can claim): (Alberta.ca)
Single senior
- $30,370 or less: eligible for primary and secondary items
- $30,371 to $34,770: eligible for primary items only
- Over $34,770: no funding
Senior couple
- $48,620 or less: eligible for primary and secondary items
- $48,621 to $56,820: eligible for primary items only
- Over $56,820: no funding (Alberta.ca)
What SNA covers that helps seniors stay safe at home
Below are the SNA supports that typically matter most for “aging at home” planning in Alberta.
Housekeeping and yard maintenance (grass cutting + snow removal)
Alberta lists housekeeping and yard maintenance as an eligible item under the secondary income threshold. It includes light housekeeping (dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms) plus yard maintenance (grass cutting and snow removal). (Alberta.ca)
Funding maximum: $1,412 in a benefit year. (Alberta.ca)
Important restrictions Alberta states:
- Not eligible if you live with, or rent from, family members
- Not eligible if you pay family members to do the work
- Not eligible if you live in a lodge/supportive living/continuing care home (Alberta.ca)
Documents (first request): Alberta requires a medical note the first time, with exceptions (for example, if the senior/spouse is 80+ or is a former AISH recipient). (Alberta.ca)
Personal response service monitoring fees (medical alert monitoring)
Alberta lists “personal response service monitoring fees” and specifies it is for in-home systems connecting to a third-party responder. (Alberta.ca)
Funding maximum: $24 per month. (Alberta.ca)
Respite care (caregiver relief)
Alberta lists respite care under the secondary income threshold and states it applies when the senior lives with a caregiver (spouse or family member) who provides daily care, and the respite must be provided in a care centre. (Alberta.ca)
Funding maximum: private room rate, maximum 4 weeks per benefit year. (Alberta.ca)
Medical trips over 80 km (round trip)
Alberta provides assistance for medical trips greater than 80 km (round trip) to see a specialist or for testing/treatment, funded using a per diem calculation (distance travelled, meals, parking). (Alberta.ca)
If overnight accommodation is needed, Alberta notes a maximum of $121 per night funded (receipts required). (Alberta.ca)
Appliances and furniture (examples seniors ask about)
Alberta states only one of each funded appliance/furniture type is considered in a lifetime, and generally only one appliance/furniture item is considered per benefit year (with listed exceptions). (Alberta.ca)
Examples of maximums shown under the primary income threshold table include:
- Bed: $590
- Washer: $590
- Dryer: $473
- Refrigerator: $824
- Stove: $824 (Alberta.ca)
How to apply and how to submit SNA requests (the fastest method)
Step 1: Make sure your Seniors Financial Assistance application is on file
Alberta states you must have provided a Seniors Financial Assistance application to be eligible. (Alberta.ca)
Step 2: Submit your SNA request online (recommended)
Alberta provides online services to make a request online through the SNA portal using a MyAlberta Seniors account, and notes this is the fastest option for processing claims. (Alberta.ca)
Step 3: Upload receipts/estimates
Alberta also provides a “provide documents online” option to send claims, receipts, estimates, and updates. (Alberta.ca)
Calgary tip: local “home services for seniors” may connect with SNA eligibility
The City of Calgary has a Home Services for Seniors program offering snow shoveling, grass cutting, and housekeeping for low-income seniors—and notes that if you are now eligible for SNA and want to resume services, you can contact 311 or the program email listed. (https://www.calgary.ca)
FAQ: Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (Alberta)
What is the maximum SNA funding per year in Alberta?
Alberta states the maximum assistance available in a benefit year is $5,872. (Alberta.ca)
Can SNA pay for housekeeping, lawn care, or snow removal?
Yes—Alberta lists housekeeping and yard maintenance (including grass cutting and snow removal) with a maximum of $1,412 per benefit year, under the secondary income threshold. (Alberta.ca)
What income thresholds apply?
Alberta lists funding tiers based on annual total income (Line 15000). For example, single seniors at $30,370 or less may qualify for primary and secondary items; $30,371–$34,770 may qualify for primary items only. Couples have separate thresholds. (Alberta.ca)
Can I qualify if I deferred OAS?
No—Alberta states that if you or your spouse deferred OAS, you are not eligible for SNA. (Alberta.ca)
What is the benefit year?
Alberta states the SNA benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30. (Alberta.ca)
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