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COVID-19 Guide for Seniors
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Miller,
Michael B. Hulton, Wendy
G. Leve,
Jennifer

April
2020

Industry Alerts

The impact of COVID-19 is changing at a rapid pace. One thing that will not
change is our commitment to help our friends, our clients and our colleagues. We
have collected a number of resources which may be helpful for seniors attempting
to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are the symptoms of
COVID-19?

Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have
little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because
they are similar to a cold or flu.

Symptoms have included:

Cough

Fever

Difficulty breathing

Pneumonia in both lungs

What should you do if you
develop a symptom?

Do not visit an
assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care
professional.

Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

Instead,
you should:

Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/

Call Telehealth: 1-866-797-0000
Please note, there are significant
wait times to speak to a representative

How do you protect yourself
and others from COVID-19?

Practice social distancing

Stay home - Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly urging
those over the age of 70 or those with compromised immune systems or
underlying medical conditions to stay at home

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow

Avoid touching your face

Self-isolate for 14 days if you:

recently returned from travel outside of Canada

have a cough, fever, fatigue, and/or difficulty breathing

are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

have been asked by a health care professional for another
reason

How do you practice Social
Distancing?

Keep at least six feet (the length of a bicycle) from others when going
out for groceries, medical trips, and other essential needs

Limit the number of times you leave your home for errands

Try to shop at less busy times

Order online to have groceries or other items delivered if possible

Go for a walk in your neighbourhood or park while maintaining distance
from others

Avoid overcrowding in elevators or other enclosed spaces

Wash or sanitize your hands after touching communal surfaces

*Many stores are offering senior shopping hours:

Longo’s - 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Loblaws - 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Walmart - 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Costco - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Tips to protect your
personal health and wellbeing

During this difficult time,
seniors can protect their mental health and feel more connected by taking the
following steps:

Call a friend or family member

Exercise in your home

Go for a walk, while remembering to practice social distancing

Get fresh air by opening a window or going outside for a few minutes each
day

Seniors also have access to resources for that can be useful in maintaining
mental and physical health:

ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600), Ontario’s mental health, addictions and
problem gambling helpline, which can provide contact information for local
mental health and addictions services and supports, including crisis
lines

211 Ontario: Dial 2-1-1 on your cell phone or home phone or visit
www.211ontario.ca
211 is a telephone helpline and online database of
Ontario’s community and social services. The service is free and confidential
and is available during COVID-19 and beyond

Ontario Seniors' INFOline: 1-888-910-1999; Email: [email-masked]

Delivery of
Items

The Government of Canada is contributing $9 million
through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services
to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries,
medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’
needs and connect them to community supports.

Your local United Way
organization: http://www.unitedway.ca/how-we-help/find-your-uwc/

There are several charitable operations that offer delivery to senior
citizens who will have difficulty accessing food and essential items during the
COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Operation Ramzieh assembles and distributes free
food boxes to senior citizens in Toronto and Ottawa.

Information about
Operation Ramzieh can be found here:
https://operationramzieh.org/about-3

The
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

The Canada
Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) gives up to $2,000 a month to workers who have
stopped working because of COVID-19. This includes employees, the self-employed,
and contract workers.

You can apply through both the Canada Revenue
Agency (CRA) and Service Canada starting April 6, 2020.

To apply for the
CERB you need: i) a Social Insurance Number and ii) an online account with the
CRA or Service Canada. If you're not able to create an online account to claim
your CERB, you can call 1-800-959-2019.

If you’re eligible for the CERB,
you will get up to $2,000 for four weeks. You will get one payment that covers
the four-week period. Payments can be made by direct deposit or
cheque.

Rent
Payments

Tenants who can pay their rent must do so, to
the best of their abilities. Landlords are entitled to collect compensation from
a tenant for each day that an eviction order is not enforced.

The
government of Ontario has made efforts to encourage landlords and tenants to
work together during this difficult time to establish fair arrangements to keep
tenants safe and in their homes.

Mortgage
Relief

Canadian banks have committed to work with their
customers on a case-by-case basis to find solutions to help them manage
hardships caused by COVID-19. This includes permitting lenders to defer up to
six monthly mortgage payments (interest and principal) for impacted borrowers.
Canadians who are impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing financial hardship as a
result should contact their financial institution regarding flexibility for a
mortgage deferral. This gives flexibility to those who need it the most. You are
encouraged to visit your bank’s website for the latest information, rather than
calling or visiting a branch.

Reduced
minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income
Funds

The government of Canada has reduced the required
minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25
percent for 2020.

Increase to the GST/HST credit
amount

The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax
(GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and
families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that
they pay.

You will get the extra payment amount automatically if you
normally receive the GST/HST credit and have filed a 2018 tax return. Payments
will be issued on April 9, 2020.

The one-time payment will be calculated
based on information from your 2018 tax return.

The maximum amounts for
the 2019-2020 benefit year will increase from:

$443 to $886 if you're single

$580 to $1,160 if you're married or living common-law

$153 to $306 for each child under the age of 19 (excluding the first
eligible child of a single parent)

$290 to $580 for the first eligible child of a single parent

You don't have to file your 2019 taxes to receive this increased credit
amount, the payment will be based on your 2018 taxes. You do have to file your
2019 income tax and benefit return to ensure you continue to get your benefits
and credits for the July 2020 to June 2021 benefit year.

The federal
government provides detailed information about the rebate and how to apply here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/covid-19-gsthstc-increase.html

Public
Pensions

You can apply online through your My Service
Canada Account for the following:

Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit, or

Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Service Canada is strongly encouraging you to
apply for these benefits online from the comfort of your home. You will not be
required to submit documentation to support your application at this time.
Service Canada may be requesting these documents at a later date, but in the
meantime, we can begin working on your application.

For more information
on Public Pensions such as how to apply and eligibility requirements, go to
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions.html or call
1-800-277-9914.

Low income Energy Assistance Program
(LEAP)

The government is providing $9 million in direct
support to families for their energy bills by expanding eligibility for the Low
income Energy Assistance Program and by ensuring that their electricity and
natural gas services are not disconnected for nonpayment during the COVID 19
outbreak.

Further information can be found here:
https://www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/help-low-income-consumers/low-income-energy-assistance-program

Find the list of contact information for the social agencies used for
the delivery of LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance here:
https://www.oeb.ca/sites/default/files/LEAP_Utility-Agency_Partners.pdf

Guaranteed
Annual Income System (GAINS)

The Ontario government has
proposed to double the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) maximum payment
to $166 per month for individuals and $332 per month for couples, for six months
starting in April 2020.

For further information on GAINS and other
financial help offered by the Federal and Provincial governments for seniors,
visit the CARP (formerly Canadian Association of Retired Persons) website:
https://www.carp.ca/2020/03/26/covid-19-financial-supports-announced/

COVID-19
and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

If
you’re already getting income support from the Ontario Disability Support
Program (ODSP), you do not qualify for Ontario’s COVID-19 Emergency Assistance
Program.

Instead, there are new resources that ODSP workers can use to
give extra “discretionary benefits” to people getting ODSP and Ontario Works.
Individuals on ODSP may be able to get a one-time benefit of up to $100, and
those with families may be able to get a one-time benefit of up to $200.

If you qualify, these benefits can be used for needs related to COVID-19, such
as:

personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves, for hospital or
clinic visits

food and groceries if you can’t get to a food bank, for example, because
you’ve been ordered to self-isolate, or you’re caring for a family member who
is sick or has been ordered to self-isolate

cleaning supplies if you’ve been ordered to self-isolate, or you’re caring
for a family member who is sick or has been ordered to self-isolate

Wills and estate
planning during COVID-19

At this point, we would promote
the following actions to ensure that your estate planning affairs are in
order:

a) Review your existing documents. Make sure that you have copies
(either paper or electronic) of your existing estate planning documents, and
review them to confirm that they still reflect your wishes. If you cannot locate
your documents, consider calling or emailing your estate planning lawyer to
obtain copies.

b) Pinpoint any items that require attention sooner
rather than later. As you review, take note of any major changes that may have
occurred in your family since you last updated your estate plan. These might
include childbirths, deaths, marriages, divorces, etc. Also, consider whether
the individuals that you previously appointed to serve as your agents are still
appropriate.

c) Follow up with your loved ones and advisors.

Make sure that your loved ones know if you have appointed them to any role
in your estate plan. This includes your executor (i.e. personal representative
under your will, or trustee ), guardian for your minor children,
attorney-in-fact under your durable power of attorney for property, and
patient advocate under your health care power of attorney.

Consider reaching out to your financial advisor, insurance advisor, etc.
to ensure that your beneficiary designations are up to date and discuss any
new planning opportunities relative to your current financial status.

If you require any medical attention in the near future, confirm that your
medical provider has a copy of your patient advocate designation and is
informed as to who you wish to have access to your confidential health
information.

If you do not already have an estate plan, now is as good of a time as any to
consider the opportunity before you. Having a will/trust, a power of attorney,
and a health care power of attorney can certainly contribute to a healthy state
of mind.

Seniors and
Fraud

In emergencies like this, vulnerable individuals,
especially seniors, are often targeted by dishonest con artists trying to take
advantage of fear and uncertainty. They can pose as door-to-door salespeople,
telemarketers, collection agents and sometimes even distant relatives asking for
help.

Be on the lookout for any of the following behaviours:

Scammers may impersonate health organizations and businesses to gather
personal and financial information or sell fake test kits, supplies, vaccines
or cures for COVID-19

Fraudsters may seek donations for illegitimate or non-existent
organizations

Scammers may impersonate doctors and hospital staff, claim to have treated
a relative or friend of the intended victim for COVID-19 and demand payment
for treatment.

How to spot an email scam:

Be skeptical - fraudulent emails can look like they come from a real
organization

Be vigilant - never send personal and/or financial information by
email

Check the “From” address – Be cautious when an email domain doesn’t match
the organization that the sender says they are from

Never click on suspicious links or attachments - phishing emails often
include embedded links that look valid, but if you hover over them, you can
usually see the real hyperlink

Protect your devices - make sure that your electronics are password
protected

The RCMP has produced Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security which provides
useful information to answer some common concerns when it comes to seniors'
safety and security about scams and other security matters. The guide can be
accessed here:
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/seniors-guidebook-safety-and-security?wbdisable=true
Please
Note: These materials do not constitute legal or medical advice. Government
initiatives, announcements, and regulations in response to the COVID-19
situation continue to evolve and change frequently.

Related Services

COVID-19
Developments

Contacts

Wendy
Hulton

Partner
Toronto

T:416-777-4035

E:[email-masked]

Jennifer
Leve

Partner
Toronto

T:416-777-4043

E:[email-masked]

Michael
Miller

Partner and
Consumer Litigation Chair Toronto

T:416-777-4007

E:[email-masked]

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