More than 130K N.L seniors to get cheques up to $500 before Christmas

If you're 65 or older and you earned less than $100,000 last year, you're going to get a check next month from the government, a tax-free payment ranging from $100 to $500, depending on your income. Politicians mingled with members of a 50-plus club in Torbay on Monday morning, an appropriate setting to announce that all seniors who earned $75,000 or less last year will receive a $500 check. The amount will be reduced incrementally for higher earners, with nothing for those earning more than $100,000. The finance minister says the message to seniors is clear. Your contributions matter. You are valued. This adds up to $64 million to be shared among more than 130,000 seniors. There's a lot of people that are out there struggling in Newfoundland and Labrador. And I think it was quite obvious that seniors needed a... It was the latest affordability measure unveiled in recent days by the government. In the last few weeks, the Premier and Finance Minister have announced nearly $145 million in help with the high cost of living, with more announcements to come as higher-than-expected oil royalties flow into the Treasury. This envelope keeps growing. It was welcome news from members of this group, who say affordability is a growing concern. Any time that the government is willing to give us money in our pocket is a good day. It will relieve the burden of everyday life. I mean, you've got gas prices, you know, hydro, oil, food. Opposition politicians say it's a help, but more is needed. I think that when you talk about over half a billion dollars in increased revenue for this province, unexpected revenue, there's more than enough money there to help families right now that are really, really in need. $500, I'm not saying that shouldn't be given out, but we need to go beyond that. The finance minister is promising that these checks will be issued before Christmas. Terry Roberts, CBC News, St. John's.