NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    DATE: July 02, 2008

                                                                                                                        Release #6.6

Edmonton, Alberta:     

Gordon Voth, President - SUN

Inadequate increase in Alberta Seniors Benefit threshold

Edmonton…The Alberta government’s June 24th announcement of increases to the Alberta Seniors Benefit falls severely short of the mark.  Annual income thresholds were increased by $500 for singles and by $1000 for couples.  Gordon Voth, President of Seniors United Now (SUN) said, “These values are ridiculously low.  Single seniors earning more than $22,700 per year are ineligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit, as are senior couples earning more than $36,900.  We expected a lot more from our government than this!”  

SUN has advocated for increases to thresholds and is extremely disappointed in the June 24^th   announcement.  “We asked the government for a minimum increase of 50% over the next five years.  Clearly, the announced increases are nowhere near the required levels.  The government response is inadequate at best,” said Voth.

These extremely low threshold levels, coupled with the inflationary cost of living, make independent living very difficult, if not impossible, for many seniors.   “In a province with a surplus the size of Alberta’s, it is difficult to understand why the government will not provide the necessary provisions for seniors to remain independent, a way of life for seniors which has social and economic benefits for all of Alberta,” said Voth.  “We are mystified.” 

For more information please contact:

Gordon Voth, SUN President

449-1816 SUN - Office

unitenow@telus.net

Alberta Seniors United Now or SUN as we are more commonly referred to is a non-profit, non-partisan, province wide organization. Our vision is to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors’ issues.