PSA: City puts supports in place for seniors

April 6, 2020 12:00 p.m.

​Deadline to apply for Elderly Home-Owners Tax Assistance extended to help ease burden caused by COVID-19

The City of Vaughan is extending the deadline to apply for the Elderly Home-Owners Tax Assistance program to May 15, marking the latest in a series of measures that have been introduced to provide relief to seniors and help ease the burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Elderly Home-Owners Tax Assistance (PDF) program is a tax credit in the amount of $377 provided by the City to elderly homeowners who qualify. The deadline to apply has just been extended to May 15 to give more citizens the opportunity to participate. The City also continues to operate its Seniors, Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Disabled Persons Property Tax Deferral program (PDF). The deadline for this program remains Sept. 30. 

As well, late penalty charges on interim tax bill payments for the March 26, April 27 and May 27 due dates will not be subject to any late payment fee or interest until June 1. Further extensions may be granted thereafter. More information is available at vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.  
 
During the City’s first-ever electronic-participation Council meeting held on March 30, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council also voted to defer the annual stormwater charge for 60 days and to cancel the planned 2020 water and wastewater rate increases. This will help provide immediate relief to citizens and businesses. Additional details are available at vaughan.ca/water.
 
With more people staying home and practicing social distancing as a result of COVID-19, the City is expanding its waste collection services to assist those who have additional garbage at this time. During the weeks of April 7 or April 14, Double-Up Days will allow up to six items of garbage to be put out without tags. The City asks that large or bulky items, such as furniture, be held and not placed outside for pick-up to help collectors manage the additional garbage volumes. To assist in prioritizing this essential service, leaf and yard waste collection will be deferred until the week of May 19. Learn more at vaughan.ca/waste.
 
While City facilities remain closed to the public, there are a number of online resources residents can take advantage of through Vaughan Public Libraries and the City’s Recreation Services department. To learn more about offerings, please visit vaughanpl.info or vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
 
For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca.
 
To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
 
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