Information for older adults

Explore the programs and services available to adults aged 55 and older in Mississauga, and find important information for older adults living in the City.

Things to do in Mississauga

The City offers a wide range of programs for residents. Here are some of our more popular activities which might suit older adults:

Jobs and volunteering

If you’re thinking about returning to work or want to get a part-time job, you can contact Employment Ontario. They offer guidance and information to older adults, such as retraining and updating your resume.

There are also a number of volunteering roles in Mississauga, which are a great way to meet new people and feel part of the community.

Travel and transportation

Ontario’s Senior Drivers Licence Renewal Program helps keep older adults driving for as long as they can safely do so. The province also offers group education sessions to refresh your knowledge of driving in general, and outlines some of the effects aging has on driving.

If you do not own a vehicle, Mississauga’s transit service MiWay offers discounts for seniors. For travel options outside the City, Go Transit and VIA Rail also offer reduced rates for older adults.

Advice on staying safe

The Region of Peel Police offer safety tips for seniors, including how to avoid the latest scams and frauds, and also safety advice for your home and when you’re out of the house.

The Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) has plenty of important information on home fire safety, including fire escape plans, and also when you should call 911 and what number to use in non-emergencies.

There are three hospitals in Mississauga, Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre. You can find out more about the specialized services they offer at trilliumhealthpartners.ca.

Finally, our Emergency Management team provides information on what to do during weather events, like extreme cold, heat or flooding.

Financial assistance

There are many financial assistance programs available to older adults, offered by the City of Mississauga, the Region of Peel, the Province of Ontario and also federal income programs.

Property Tax Rebate Program

The City of Mississauga offers a tax rebate on annual property taxes for low income seniors and low income persons with disabilities who own and occupy their own home.

Stormwater Subsidy Program

Low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities may be eligible for a subsidy to offset their stormwater charge.

Outdoor Maintenance Subsidy Program

The City’s Outdoor Maintenance Subsidy Program provides eligible residents with a subsidy on a per-household, per-year basis to assist with the costs of outdoor maintenance.

Active Assist Program

A fee assistance program gives residents living in low-income households the chance to participate in recreation and culture activities.

Driveway Windrow Snow Clearing Program

Helps residents by clearing space in the snow windrow at the end of their driveway after a snow plow has cleared the road.

MiWay Affordable Transit Program

The MiWay Affordable Transit Program provides low-income residents living in Mississauga with access to affordable public transit.

MiWay Senior One Dollar Cash Fare

MiWay offers a $1.00 cash fare to seniors during off-peak hours on weekdays (from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 7 p.m.) and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Social support

The Region of Peel offers seniors, age 65 or older a number of social support programs such as Meals on Wheels, help with groceries, medication and other errands.

Canada HomeShare

Canada HomeShare matches older adults who have a spare room in their homes with post-secondary students who need a place to live and can help around the home.

 

Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System

The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) ensures a guaranteed minimum income for Ontario seniors by providing monthly payments to qualifying pensioners.

It helps seniors in Ontario pay for housing, food and other costs of living.

Ontario Disability Support Program

If you have a disability and need help with your living expenses, you may be eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Ontario Drug Benefit

The Ontario Drug Benefit (OBD) covers most of the costs of more than 4,400 prescription drugs. Persons 65 years or older qualify for the ODB. Lower income seniors can qualify for a reduced co-payment.

Ontario energy and property tax credit

The Ontario energy and property tax credit (OEPTC) is designed to help low-to-moderate income Ontario residents with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

The Ontario Energy Board’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides low-income customers emergency financial assistance to pay their gas or electricity bills.

Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant

The Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant helps low-to-moderate income seniors with the cost of their property taxes.

Ontario Senior Public Transit Tax Credit

The Ontario Seniors’ Public Transit Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit to help seniors with public transit costs.

Home and Vehicle Modification Program

Provides home or vehicle modifications to eligible individuals and families to enable children and adults with disabilities that restrict mobility to continue living safely in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities.

MPAC Senior or Disabled Property Tax Relief

If you own a property that houses one or more disabled people or one or more seniors 65 or older, you may be eligible for a tax exemption for a portion of your property.

Assistive Devices Program

If you have a long-term physical disability, you can get help paying for equipment and supplies when you qualify for the Assistive Devices Program.

Guaranteed Income (GIS) Supplement

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to Old Age Security (OAS) pension recipients who have a low income and are living in Canada.

Allowance for the Survivor

The Allowance for the Survivor is a benefit available to people aged 60 to 64 who have a low income, who are living in Canada, and whose spouse or common-law partner has died.

Regional, provincial and federal services

There are a number of valuable services for older adults at a regional, provincial and federal level.

The Peel Database

Peel Database is a directory of services in the Region of Peel. You can use it to find a variety of programs and services such as home care, food banks and multicultural groups.

Home and Community Care Support Services

Home and Community Care Support Services organizations in Ontario have a focused mandate to deliver local health care services such as home and community care, access to community services and long-term care home placement.

Mississauga Residents are serviced by Home and Community Care Services Central West (Malton) and Home and Community Care Services Mississauga Halton.

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

The ministry helps seniors and people with disabilities stay independent, active, and socially connected.

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Find information on home, community and residential care services.

Telehealth Ontario

Get free medical advice over the phone on 1-866-797-0000 or call the TTY number on 1-866-797-0007.

Mental health and addictions support

Get help for mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction and problems with gambling.

Government of Canada Public Pensions

Information on the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security pension and related benefits, the Canadian retirement income calculator and retirement planning.

Suicide prevention and support

If you need help or someone to talk to, call Crisis Services Canada on 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Veterans Affairs Canada

If you’re a current or former member of the CAF or RCMP, or a family member, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) have targeted services and benefits to improve your well-being.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is a volunteer agency and charitable organization dedicated to assisting Canadians who are blind or living with vision loss, and to provide information about vision health for all Canadians.

Canadian Hearing Society

The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is the largest, most comprehensive resource for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Canada. The CHS provides sign language interpreting, one-on-one language development, sign language instruction, speechreading training, hearing testing, hearing aids, and counselling.

Contact us

Call 311 (905-615-4311 outside City limits) to speak to our Customer Service team.

They can answer questions about City services and programs, or help you contact the right City department.

To speak to someone about community and social services in the Region of Peel, call 211 or visit 211ontario.ca.