The Town of Cochrane provides property tax support to local seniors.

The program has been available for many years but this year according to Susan Flowers, Manager of Cochrane's Family Community Support Services (FCSS), seniors will get a boost.

"It was $250 a year if they qualified for the tax exemption but now it has gone up to $300, so the seniors will be happy to hear that."

Flowers is hoping more seniors utilize the support, as they only get about 60 or 70 applicants a year.

"There is a lot of seniors that either don't know about the program, don't know whether they qualify, or they forget sometimes that they have to reapply every year to get the rebate."

The downturned economy hasn't affected the seniors too badly- thanks to fixed income, but seniors certainly notice the higher price of groceries and other commodities.

Flowers says,  in order to apply for the tax support, seniors must be over 60, own and reside in their own property, not own additional property, and meet the financial guidelines.

If they are applying for the first time, seniors need to meet with Flowers at the FCSS.

"I will tell them all about the different programs that are available throughout the Province and here in Cochrane so that they are connected to what they can access. Every year, there after, they can just apply and show their record of employment or assessment notice to the front desk and show that they qualify."

Flowers adds seniors are free to spend the money as they choose.

If seniors are looking to find more information on volunteering, programming, or recreation within the Town, they can stop by the FCSS and speak with Flowers at any time.