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British ColumbiaHousing & rent

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters

Monthly cash payments that help BC seniors aged 60 and older with low to moderate incomes afford their rent.

Estimated value
Varies with your rent and income — use the BC Housing SAFER calculator
Check if I qualify →

Who qualifies

  • You must be 60+, a BC resident who has lived in Canada 12 months, renting your home, and not receiving BC income or disability assistance.
  • You must pay more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent, and your income must be within the program limit.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Download the SAFER application

    Get the SAFER application form from BC Housing.

    ⏱ 30 minutes

    Go to application ↗
  2. 2

    Gather documents and submit

    You will need proof of age, proof of rent, income information, and banking details. Submit everything together — incomplete applications are held then cancelled.

    • 💡 Benefits start from the month your application is received — submit early in the month.

Documents you will need

  • Proof of age and status
  • Proof of rent (tenancy agreement or receipt)
  • Income tax information
  • Direct deposit info (void cheque)
Processing time
4-6 weeks
How often it is paid
Monthly

Good to know

  • Payments start from the month a complete application is received, so apply early in the month.
  • You must reconfirm your details each year to keep receiving SAFER.

Often applied for together

Old Age SecurityGuaranteed Income SupplementBC Housing Registry (Subsidized Housing)
Official government page ↗
Last verified: September 1, 2026