Apply for a SHARP grant

Overview

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) grants may be available to eligible senior homeowners with low income who do not qualify for a SHARP loan to help with certain home repairs. You must provide a completed SHARP application to be considered for a grant.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for a grant if you and your spouse/partner (if applicable) are:

• not eligible for a SHARP loan
• 65 years of age or older (only one spouse or partner needs to be 65)
• Canadian citizen(s) or have been lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence
• Alberta resident(s) and have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months
• senior(s) with income below the SHARP grant income thresholds
• receiving or have applied for all other eligible seniors financial assistance

Home insurance at full replacement value is not an eligibility requirement for the grant.

Property qualifications

Your property may qualify for a grant if it is your primary residence (where you normally reside). Second homes, such as summer homes, rental properties and commercial properties, do not qualify.

You must have one of the following ownership interests:

• mobile homeowner on non-owned land
• registered life estate
• a settlement member who is a holder of a Metis title in accordance with the Metis Settlements Act
• fee simple owner (and not eligible for a SHARP loan)

Income eligibility

You may be eligible for a grant if you are a:

• single senior with a total annual income of $31,080 or less
• senior couple with a total combined annual income of $50,720 or less

The following deductions from total income may be considered:

• Adjustments for Pension Income Splitting
• Registered Disability Savings Plan Income
• Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit
• Supplementary Accommodation Benefit – a supplement paid to seniors living in a continuing care home would be identified and deducted by the Alberta government
• A lump-sum payment under the Heroes’ Compensation Act

Considered home repairs

The maximum assistance available per household is $5,000 in a benefit year and $15,000 in a lifetime.

Eligibility for the SHARP grant is based on the date the home repair was completed. The cost of the home repair must be $500 or more. Multiple home repairs can be combined toward the $500 minimum.

Only basic and essential repairs may be funded. Renovations or upgrades are not considered.

Additional eligibility criteria may apply.

The following home repairs may be considered under the SHARP grant:

How to apply

Step 1: Read the information guide

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Information Guide.

Step 2: Complete and sign the application form and agreement

Complete and sign the Loan Application and Agreement, included in the Information Guide.

Please ensure you have included all the information needed to support your application.

Step 3: Mail your application

Original signatures are needed to accept an application. You must mail your completed and signed application to:

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program
PO Box 1050 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

You may include supporting documents, such as your property tax assessment/bill, estimates or receipts, by mail or online.

Submit supporting documents online

After you apply

SHARP staff will review your application and may contact you or your contractor by phone for additional information.

When the review of your application is complete, you will receive written notification of your eligibility.

If a loan is approved, you will not be eligible for a grant.

If the maximum grant amount you are eligible for covers part of the cost of your repair, you are responsible for the remaining amount. Confirmation that you are able to pay the remaining amount may be requested.

Review

If you are notified you are not eligible for a SHARP grant, you may request a review of the decision by writing to the Executive Director of Seniors Program Delivery.

Send information and supporting documentation that will assist with the review of your file to:

Executive Director
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
PO Box 1050 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

Or you may upload your letter online at seniors-housing.alberta.ca/submit-documents or send by fax to: 780-643-2934

Accounting

If you applied with an estimate rather than a receipt, you will be asked to send in receipts showing that you purchased and paid for the home repairs for which you received a SHARP grant.

Consumer cancellation rights

Consult the home renovation tip sheet before hiring a contractor.

Under this program you have cancellation rights if you sign a contract for home repairs, adaptations and renovations and it is determined you are not eligible for a loan.

Services or materials agreed to in the contract cannot be accepted by you (for example, services received or installed) before you are notified by the program that you are ineligible for a loan or you will lose your cancellation rights.

To enable your cancellation rights you must apply to SHARP within 45 days of the date you sign the contract. If you cancel a contract within 30 days of receiving notification from the program that you are ineligible for a loan, you are not required to begin or pay for the home repairs, adaptations and renovations agreed to in the contract. The contractor must refund any money you have paid to them under the contract within 15 days.

If you are eligible for a loan, you do not have cancellation rights under SHARP, but you may have other rights under the Consumer Protection Act.

Contractors can learn more about their responsibilities when dealing with cancellations and contracts for SHARP applicants.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:

Hours: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992

Address:
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
PO Box 1050 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1