--- title: "Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) eligibility" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/gis" description: "Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in Canada: handled by Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada). Next payment 28 October 2026." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) eligibility Federal service · Seniors Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer A monthly payment, on top of OAS, for seniors with a low income. The Allowance helps some people aged 60 to 64. Who handles it: [Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/employment-and-social-development-canada). Handles it everywhere in Canada. ## Official links - [Guaranteed Income Supplement](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html), checked 12 October 2026 ## Next payment Next payment: 28 October 2026. All dates: 28 January 2026, 25 February 2026, 27 March 2026, 28 April 2026, 27 May 2026, 26 June 2026, 29 July 2026, 27 August 2026, 25 September 2026, 28 October 2026, 26 November 2026, 22 December 2026. Paid together with the Old Age Security pension, on the same dates. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html), checked 13 October 2026. Every benefit: [Benefit payment dates](https://canadaservicemap.ca/benefit-payment-dates#gis-canada). ## Who can apply - To get the GIS you must be 65 or older, receive the OAS pension, live in Canada, not be under a sponsorship agreement, and have a yearly income below the limit for your situation. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - Sponsored immigrants cannot get the GIS while their sponsorship agreement lasts. Parent and grandparent sponsorships now last 20 years instead of 10 everywhere except Quebec. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. Service Canada tries to enroll you automatically and writes to you shortly after your 64th birthday. If it cannot, it sends a letter inviting you to apply. If you already get OAS but never applied for the GIS, you need to apply. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## What you need - Apply online in My Service Canada Account or by mail. Have your SIN and date of birth, your spouse's SIN and date of birth, where you have lived since 18, any drop in income in the last two years, and your bank details. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - Allow about 14 days for an online application and 120 days for one sent by mail. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/after-apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. - Your GIS amount is worked out again each July using your net income from the year before, so it can go up, go down or stop. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - GIS payments are not taxed, but you must file your tax return by April 30 every year or your payments can be interrupted. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/while-receiving.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Questions people ask ### What is the income limit for GIS? Under $23,112 a year if you are single, divorced or widowed. For a couple where the spouse gets the full OAS pension, combined income must be under $30,528. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Is the GIS taxable? No. GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor are not taxable income. The amount is worked out again each July from your net income in the previous year. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Do I have to apply for the GIS? Often not. Service Canada enrolls most people automatically and tells them by mail. If you have no letter a month after your 64th birthday, you may need to apply. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Is there help for a spouse aged 60 to 64? Yes. The Allowance is a separate monthly benefit for people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner can get the GIS. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### How long does a GIS application take? About 14 days online and 120 days by mail. It takes longer if documents are missing. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/after-apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go in person - Service Canada Centres: [Toronto, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/toronto/service-canada-centres) (9), [Montréal, QC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/quebec/montreal/service-canada-centres) (6), [Calgary, AB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/alberta/calgary/service-canada-centres) (4), [Ottawa, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/ottawa/service-canada-centres) (3), [Edmonton, AB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/alberta/edmonton) (2), [Winnipeg, MB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/manitoba/winnipeg/service-canada-centres) (3), [Mississauga, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/mississauga) (2), [Vancouver, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/vancouver) (2), [Brampton, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/brampton) (1), [Hamilton, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/hamilton) (2) ## More - [Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/cpp) - [Old Age Security (OAS) pension](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/oas) - [Apply for a long-term care home](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/long-term-care) - [Provincial income top-ups for low-income seniors](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/seniors-benefits) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) eligibility", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/gis