Calgary cuts free home services for low-income seniors, leaving some without lawn care or snow shovelling

Calgary is ending its Home Services for Seniors program on September 30, cutting off free services like lawn care, snow shovelling, and housekeeping for 1,320 eligible seniors aged 65 and older.

The city administered the provincially funded program but said it has become too complex to manage and now requires city tax dollars to run. Calgary was the only Alberta municipality administering the program on the province's behalf. The city is redirecting seniors to Alberta's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors, offered directly by the province.

But some seniors say the provincial program won't help them. Eligibility for provincial supports is based on strict income thresholds: single seniors earning $28,290 or less, and couples earning $45,600 or less, qualify for all services. Those earning slightly more qualify only for certain supports, and anyone above the upper thresholds ($32,690 for singles, $53,800 for couples) doesn't qualify at all.

Lorraine Barton, 86, has used the city program for at least 15 years for lawn mowing and snow shovelling — services she needs because she uses a cane or walker. When she contacted the province about the alternative, she was told her income was slightly too high to qualify. Even if she did qualify, the provincial program requires recipients to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement, which Barton said she cannot afford.

"If they don't continue it, I have to sell my house," she said. "This is absolutely ridiculous, what they're doing to seniors."

Mayor Jeromy Farkas acknowledged the program's closure will create a significant gap for many Calgarians, but said the city had no choice after the province changed eligibility requirements this month.