Communities in the Lakeland are served by local Family and Community Social Services (FCSS) offices. Each FCSS is community-specific, with services and program tailored for the needs of the people they serve.
Helping seniors is a big part of each FCSS’s mandate. Each FCSS offers services specifically for older adults, in addition to the services they offer the community in general.
Here is an overview of services available from each local FCSS organization. It is not intended to provide complete details, call your community’s FCSS for further information.
Cold Lake and District FCSS:
“Throughout these challenging times, Cold Lake and District FCSS have been pleased to offer the majority of our services to seniors,” says Executive Director Kim Schmidtz. “We can always assist you over the phone or in a private appointment one-on-one, with all protocols in place.”
Cold Lake and District FCSS serves the City of Cold Lake and parts of the M.D. of Bonnyville.
Forms Assistance: The FCSS can help with federal applications such as Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada Pension Plan. Provincial forms may include Alberta Financial Assistance and Special Needs reimbursements for medical travel and supplies, appliances and supplements.
Nutrition: Meals on Wheels is a nutritious meal delivered to your home up to five days a week and is automatically approved for anyone 65 and over. Until March 31, 2021 meals are only $5.00 each.
Transportation: The Cold Lake Special Transportation Bus is also automatically approved for those 65 and over. It provides door-to-door access for your convenience for a nominal fee.
Snow Angels will help you keep your sidewalks clear of snow. This service is volunteer based.
Income Tax Filing is free of charge for defined income thresholds. We can also handle all your income tax needs over the phone.
Assistance, referrals, and advocacy: We can copy, scan and fax documents, seek information, find referrals, and advocate on your behalf. For assistance with any of the above, please call FCSS at 780-594-4495. We are here to help you and make everything easier for you.
Bonnyville and District FCSS:
Bonnyville and District FCSS offers seniors a range of support services to residents of the Town of Bonnyville and the western portion of the M.D. of Bonnyville. They are open for in-person visits following AHS guidelines, please call ahead as we have reduced staff in the office during the pandemic (780 826-2120). Masks and social distancing is required in our offices in the Parent Child Centre.
Finding your way through government services can be daunting, and is often best done on a computer—which is not an option for many seniors and disabled persons in our community.
FCSS offers support and advocacy to help seniors and soon-to-be seniors access provincial and federal services including pensions and other benefits, or something as simple as making a photocopy or sending a fax. We are not limited to government services—we will assist seniors with a wide variety of social supports. Just call and we can discuss your concern and let you know if we can help, or find someone who can.
Each year FCSS offers the CRA-approved Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for low-income Canadians. Call to see if you qualify and we may be able to complete and e-file your taxes for you. This free program is available to any low-income person year-round.
FCSS coordinates the Meals on Wheels program with the Bonnyville Health Centre. There is a fee per meal charged by Covenant Health, and delivery is only available within the Town of Bonnyville. These meals are delivered by our team of dedicated volunteers.
We also administer the M.D. of Bonnyville transportation grant which provides financial support to any resident of the M.D. of Bonnyville over 65 who is travelling for medically necessary services. Call for details and conditions.
Unfortunately, the Handibus has been parked during the pandemic but we hope to be able to resume operations in 2021. This is a volunteer-driven wheelchair-accessible bus that is available by appointment.
We are now offering In-Home Support Services, a light housekeeping program offered to seniors in the Town of Bonnyville and the western portion of the M.D. of Bonnyville (call to determine if you live in the supported area of the M.D.). This program is free of charge until March 31, 2021; after that date a subsidized fee will apply. Call for details.
And we have our annual Snow Angels effort which is a public campaign to encourage volunteers to clear the walkways for those who need a helping hand. We have no Angels to be dispatched to clear snow, but we can give you a sign to indicate your walk needs the help of a volunteer. Signs are available for pickup at the FCSS office.
Town of St Paul FCSS:
Forms Assistance, Nutrition, Transportation and Advocacy
The Town of St. Paul FCSS continues to most of their regular services to seniors. They can help you over the phone, or you can set up a personal appointment one-on-one, with all Covid protocols in place.
Help with government forms: We can help you apply for federal government programs such as Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada Pension Plan. Provincial forms may include Alberta Financial Assistance. Over time, you may want to apply for Special Needs reimbursements for medical travel and supplies, appliances and supplements.
Meals on Wheels is a nutritious meal delivered to your home,
Monday to Friday, thanks to our dedicated volunteers. Please call our office for more information on this program.
Snow Angels volunteers will help you keep your sidewalks clear of snow.
Income Tax Filing is free of charge for defined income thresholds. This service can be accessed by drop off or appointment.
We can copy, scan and fax documents, seek information and find referrals and advocacy on your behalf.
For assistance with any of the above, please call FCSS at 780-645-5311. We are here to help you and make everything easier for you.
County of St Paul & Elk Point FCSS:
Meals on wheels service is available in the Town of Elk Point.
Volunteers are available to help you prepare and file your income tax forms.
Community counselling is available through our office.
We provide referrals to programs and supports.
We can submit claims for the Alberta Seniors benefit.
Seniors week celebrations: We organize and support Alberta Seniors Week activities during the first week of June.
Contact us at our St. Paul office, (780) 645-3301; or in Elk Point at (780) 724-3800. In-person service is available by appointment.