Canada’s Guaranteed Income Supplement is a government benefit available to certain low-income people over the age of 65.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a government program designed to prevent undue hardship for Canada’s most financially vulnerable older adults. Knowing GIS eligibility requirements and how the program works can help you claim these valuable payments at the appropriate time in your life.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement, or GIS, is a non-taxable, monthly benefit available to qualified low-income people over the age of 65 living in Canada who receive the Old Age Security pension [1]. The supplement was introduced in 1967 as a way to provide additional benefits to older adults with lower income and who would otherwise struggle to make ends meet.
The GIS is not available to everyone, and there are strict eligibility requirements. To qualify, you must:
Note: The Allowance is a separate monthly benefit for low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner receives or is eligible for OAS and GIS benefits. Receiving the Allowance can affect GIS eligibility and payments.)
It’s crucial to be aware that your eligibility to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement can change if:
If any of the above situations, you should contact Service Canada as soon as possible so they can reassess your GIS eligibility. If your income increases, your GIS amount will be reduced by approximately 50 cents for every dollar of other income you earn above the allowable amount. There could be additional penalties if you fail to disclose any changes in a reasonable amount of time.
The amount of GIS you’ll receive depends on two main things: Income (or combined income if you’re married or have a common-law partner) and your marital status.
If you are single, widowed or divorced and earn less than $20,208, the maximum GIS payment is $995.99 per month. If you are married or in a common-law relationship, it gets a little more complicated:
| Situation | Combined annual income | Maximum monthly GIS payment |
|---|---|---|
| Your partner receives the full OAS pension. | Less than $26,688 | $599.53 |
| Your partner does not receives an OAS pension. | Less than $48,432 | $995.99 |
| Your partner receives the Allowance. | Less than $37,392 | $599.53 |
It’s important to understand that there is no standard GIS amount. Your payments could change from year to year if your income or marital status changes. That’s why it’s vital that you file your income taxes each year as the government uses that information to confirm the amount of GIS you’re eligible to receive.
If you don’t file your taxes by April 30 each year, your GIS payments could be delayed.
Some Canadians will automatically be eligible for the GIS. If you fall into this category, the government will send you a letter after you turn 64 to alert you that you are eligible to receive the benefit once you turn 65. If you don’t receive the letter soon after turning 64, you can apply for the benefit by contacting Service Canada. If you qualify for the GIS, the amount will be added to your Old Age Security pension and you’ll receive a single payment each month.
Once you start to receive the GIS, you will receive a letter every July that explains whether or not the benefit was renewed and how much you will get. You may also receive a request to send in more information about your income sources.
If the government reassesses your eligibility for GIS and decides to stop or decrease your payments, you can request a review. After receiving a letter stating your new GIS amount, you have 90 days to request a reconsideration by filling out a special form. If you are not satisfied with the results of your initial appeal, you can then contact the Social Security Tribunal to appeal.
