News

Learn about our volunteer opportunities and make a difference in Brantford and Brant County. See poster for details.

NOTE – SOME MISSED BENEFITS MAY BE OBTAINED RETROACTIVELY

The following benefits are variable amounts based on family circumstances. 

Income tax must be filed to obtain them.

CLIMATE ACTION INCENTIVE PAYMENT:

Individual must be at least 19 years old.  If younger than 19, they must have (or previously had) a spouse or common-law partner or are (or previously were) a parent and live (or previously lived) with your child.

Benefit is received as quarterly payments

 ONTARIO TRILLIUM BENEFIT:

To qualify, the individual must be a resident of Ontario and at least 18 years of age or currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship

The annual OTB entitlement is usually divided by 12 and the payments are issued on the 10th of each month.

GST/HST CREDIT:

The individual must be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes in the month prior and at the start of the month in which the CRA makes a payment, must be 19 years of age or older or have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner.

Payments are sent on the fifth day of July, October, January, and April.

In 2023, the government introduced a one-time Grocery Rebate to provide financial support to eligible individuals and families. The rebate was issued in July alongside the regular quarterly GST/HST credit payment.

CANADA CHILD BENEFIT (CCB):

The CCB is based on family net income.

It is not taxable.

To receive the Canada Child Benefit, the parent must live with a child under the age of 18 and be primarily responsible for their day-to-day care and upbringing. If the parent shares custody with an ex-partner, each parent receives 50% of the amount allocated if the child lives about equally with both parents.

Parents apply through the Canada Revenue Agency and will automatically be assessed for additional benefits from Ontario based on family income.

CANADA WORKERS BENEFIT (CWB):

To top-up the incomes of the lowest-paid workers, the Canada Workers Benefit provides up to $2,616 total for an eligible family, and $1,518 total for eligible single workers, split between three advance payments this fiscal year (in July 2023, October 2023, and January 2024), and a final payment after the 2023 tax return is filed.

To qualify for CWB, an individual must be: a Canadian resident, 19 years of age or older on December 31 or if under the age of 19, have a spouse or common-law partner, or an eligible dependent.

Those who received the Canada Workers Benefit in 2022 will automatically receive their advance payments from the Canada Revenue Agency, with no need to apply.

BENEFITS FOR SENIORS – THE GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT (GIS):

The Supplement is based on income and is available to low-income Old Age Security pensioners. It is not taxable.

In many cases, individuals are notified by letter when they could start receiving their first payment. This letter will be sent the month after they turn 64. In other cases, they may have to apply.

BENEFITS FOR SENIORS – GAINS:

The GAINS program pays out a benefit to low-income seniors in Ontario on a monthly basis. The purpose of the program is to ensure that the elderly in Ontario receive a guaranteed minimum income.

If an individual currently receives the OAS pension and GIS, they do not have to apply. Their GAINS benefits will be determined based on their filed income tax return.

BENEFITS FOR SENIORS – ALLOWANCE:

If an individual is eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, their spouse or common-law partner may be able to receive the Allowance benefit if the spouse or common-law partner is 60 to 64 years of age, a Canadian citizen or a legal resident, residing in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18 and if the couple’s combined annual income is less than the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance.

BENEFITS FOR SENIORS – ALLOWANCE FOR THE SURVIVOR:

An individual could receive the Allowance for the Survivor if they are 60 to 64 years of age, their spouse or common-law partner has died and they have not remarried or entered into a common-law relationship. Their annual income must be less than the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance for the Survivor.

June 17, 2023

Brantford, ON – On Saturday June 17th, local MPP Will Bouma met with the team at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Thrift Store to hear more about the $10,400 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to install an automatic door. The new door increases accessibility to the store for shoppers with mobility challenges and fosters a climate of inclusivity.

“I am pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation is supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in their efforts to becoming more accessible for people of all abilities,” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “It is said that history will judge our community by how the most vulnerable are treated, and with this grant by the OTF, we are another step closer to helping all people that we serve.”

The SSVP Thrift store is open to all shoppers regardless of financial need. It also serves as the central hub for those that the Society serves through various forms of assistance. The neighbours that are served by SSVP Brant redeem vouchers at the store for non-perishable food, clothing, household items and furniture. In 2022, 2,774 neighbours received assistance from the Society. Many have some limitations with mobility, and it is important to ensure their ease of access.

In addition to the OTF grant, the SSVP Thrift Store was also celebrating its re-opening for shopping on Saturdays. During COVID, the store, which is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, was forced to decrease the hours that the store was open. The number of volunteers only recently allowed for a Saturday opening.

“We are greatly indebted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support,” said Rob Campbell, President of the SSVP Particular Council of Brant. “This grant allows us to better live up to our mission of serving our neighbours with love, justice, joy and respect by increasing accessibility for all who visit our store. We are also delighted to once again be open on Saturdays, allowing more flexibility for shoppers and those we serve.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Organization Contact for Media inquiries:
Rob Campbell, President
SSVP Particular Council of Brant
519-756-2115
ssvpbrant@gmail.com

On April 26th, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul participated in an event held by the City for those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Approximately 240 individuals attended “Registry Week: Coming Together”.

Two of our Thrift Store volunteers assisted in registering people on arrival. Participants were provided with a meal and an opportunity to connect with services appropriate to their needs. Free haircuts were also available.

At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul booth we distributed toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags , snacks, and small articles of clothing.

The City also undertook a Point in Time Count of those lacking shelter to determine the housing need within the community.

SSVP Brant Thrift Store located at 143 Wellington opens its retail for Saturday shopping starting April 15, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  

We welcome new and current shoppers.

Shopping:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays AND Saturdays from 10AM to 2:30PM.

Donations:
We are accepting non-furniture, non-perishable food, and hygiene product donations on Saturday AND Wednesday mornings between 9 a.m. and noon at 143 Wellington St., Brantford.

Plastic bags and/or gently used reusable bags are also appreciated.

Furniture donations are accepted, by appointment for pick up or drop off, by emailing ssvpbrant@gmail.com with photos of the items on offer, the street address of any pick up location and a contact phone number OR call 519-751-0143