The federal NDP are calling on the Liberal government to act immediately to support seniors who were cut off from their Guaranteed Income Supplement after receiving pandemic support last year from the CRA.
The NDP says government’s recent decision on how to handle pensions, specifically when it comes to COVID benefit income, is to blame.
MP for St. John’s-East Jack Harris says his office has been contacted by seniors who discovered their monthly benefits were drastically reduced or eliminated altogether after receiving CERB or CRB benefits.
On top of that, Harris contends that the GIS is tied in with other programs, such as the NL Prescription Drug Program, throwing seniors on fixed incomes into a “perfect storm” situation.
Harris says government needs to address the issue so seniors are not penalized for receiving the financial support they needed and qualified for in 2020.
