It's reliable - your payment will always be on time, and you can start using the money and earning interest right away.
It's secure - there's no risk that your payment will be lost, stolen or damaged.
If you're sick, on vacation or travelling, you will still get your payment automatically.
It saves money for Canadian taxpayers, since we have to print and mail fewer cheques.
It's confidential, since there's no cheque for someone to see how much money you get.
It's environmentally friendly because we use less paper and help save our forests.

What if I need to change my bank information or cancel direct deposit?
You can change your bank information by forwarding a copy of a blank cheque marked "void" or a pre-authorized debit form completed by your bank.

You can cancel the service by calling our office at 604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756, or send a request by mail to our Home Office.

What if I am unable to or don't want to use direct deposit?
We will send a cheque to your home address every month. However, please note, SAFER is not responsible for delays in mail delivery and cannot guarantee that cheques will arrive by the end of the month.

If a cheque is lost, stolen or does not arrive in the mail there may be a delay of a week to ten days before a replacement cheque can be issued.

Do I ever need to reapply for SAFER?
Yes. Each year a reapplication form will be sent to you three months before your birthday. You must complete and return the reapplication in order to continue to receive a subsidy.

I received a rent increase, what do I do?
Please forward a copy of the rent increase notice to the SAFER office. Your file will be updated and subsidy adjusted, if applicable.

Please note, if your rent is over the maximum allowable rent ceiling you may not receive an increase to your subsidy. However, it is important that we know what your actual rent is so that we can take that into consideration as we review the SAFER program in the future.

I am moving, how do I get my subsidy transferred?
Contact the SAFER office immediatly. Please be prepared to provide the following information:

Effective date of move;
New address;
New rent amount;
New landlord's name and contact information;
Details on anyone who will be living with you at the new address (if applicable).

The SAFER office will also require that you forward by mail a copy of your tenancy agreement or other proof of tenancy and rent.

My family sponsored me to come to Canada. Am I eligible?
No. Seniors who are in Canada under a sponsorship are not eligible for subsidy while the sponsorship agreement is still in place.

When will I receive the increase to the heat allowance that came into effect on June 1, 2006?
New SAFER applicants, if eligible, will have their benefit calculated based on the new heat allowance rates.

Existing SAFER clients who are eligible for the heat allowance will receive the increase at the time of their annual reapplication during their birth month.

Why are there different rent ceilings for different areas of the province?
Separate rent ceilings were established to reflect the higher average rents in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

What municipalities are included in the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD)?
Aldergrove, Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock.

What are the citizenship requirements?
Applicants must permanently reside in British Columbia when applying, and each member of the household must be one of the following:

Canadian citizens not under sponsorship
Individuals lawfully admitted into Canada for permanent residence and not under sponsorship
Individuals who have applied for refugee status
Individuals for whom private sponsorship has broken down

When will my SAFER subsidy be effective?
If you are eligible, your subsidy will be effective the month your application is received in our office. For example, if an application is received on July 29, it will be effective for the month of July. The SAFER subsidy is paid in arrears; for example, the payment for July will be made at the end of the month.

Once your application has been processed, BC Housing will contact you by mail.

Is there a minimum amount that SAFER will pay me?
Yes, the minimum is $1 per month. However, if your subsidy is less than $15 per month, you will receive two payments per year. The first payment will be made six months after your birth month. The second payment will be made during the month prior to your birth month.

What amount of monthly income would make me ineligible to receive SAFER?
You will not be eligible for a SAFER subsidy if your gross monthly income exceeds the following amounts:

	Greater Vancouver Regional District	Other Areas of the Province
Singles	$2,333	$2,033
Couples	$2,517	$2,217
Shared	$1,625	$1,625

May I apply for the SAFER rent subsidy if I am in a Long Term Care facility or in a residence that is subsidized through another government agency?
No. Seniors residing in a Long Term Care facility or in a residence that is subsidized through another government agency are not eligible for subsidy.

How is the rent subsidy calculated if I pay room and board?
The SAFER subsidy does not cover board, cablevision, parking, laundry, or other personal services; therefore, 50% of a room and board payment is considered to be the rent portion up to the maximum rent level.

Do I declare my SAFER subsidy on my annual income tax return?
No. SAFER is a non-taxable rent benefit.

My income has changed; do I need to let you know?
Please inform BC Housing immediately so that we can make any necessary changes to your file. This does not include the cost of living increases to income such as CPP or OAS.

How will I know that my SAFER application has been approved?
BC Housing will contact you by mail.