What these benefits offer

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment you can get if:

• you are 65 or older
• you live in Canada
• you get the Old Age Security (OAS) pension
• your income is below the maximum annual income threshold for the GIS based on your marital status.

The Supplement is based on income and is available to low-income Old Age Security pensioners. It is not taxable.

In many cases, we will let you know by letter when you could start receiving the first payment. We will send you this letter the month after you turn 64. In other cases, you may have to apply.

Why you may have to apply

You may have to apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. We may not have enough information to enroll you automatically. You may have to apply if you are already receiving your Old Age Security pension and never applied for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

When payments start

You can receive your first payment the month after you turn 65. You must file your taxes on time every year to avoid any disruption to your payments.

If you did not receive your payment in July

You should contact us by phone as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide:

• your Social Insurance Number
• your income information from the year before
• your spouse or common-law partner’s income from the year before

One-time grant for Guaranteed Income Supplement recipients who received pandemic benefits

If you saw a reduction or loss of benefits in July 2021 due to the receipt of pandemic benefits in 2020, you could receive a one-time grant.

GIS amount

Your income, whether you are married or have a common-law partner will determine how much you could receive.

Benefit for your spouse or common-law partner

Allowance

If you are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to receive the Allowance benefit if your spouse or common-law partner:

• is 60 to 64 years of age
• is a Canadian citizen or a legal resident
• resides in Canada and has resided in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18
• your combined annual income is less than the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance

Allowance for the Survivor

You could receive the Allowance for the Survivor if:

• you are 60 to 64 years of age
• your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a common-law relationship
• your annual income is less than the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance for the Survivor

Where you can get help

If you have general questions about the Guaranteed Income Supplement or specific questions about your application, contact us.