Ontario · Seniors
Seniors benefit in Ontario for low-income seniors
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
In Ontario, Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) handles it. No separate application if you get OAS and GIS; file your income tax return every year.
Official link
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
In every province and territory
The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Ontario is marked.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | B.C. Seniors' Supplement (Government of British Columbia) | About the supplementchecked | No application needed; it is paid automatically to eligible seniors who get the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement. |
| Alberta | Alberta Seniors Benefit (Government of Alberta) | About and how to applychecked | |
| Saskatchewan | Seniors Income Plan (Ministry of Social Services) | Seniors Income Planchecked | |
| Manitoba | 55 PLUS Program (Manitoba Families) | 55 PLUS programchecked | Old Age Security recipients are assessed automatically; others apply with a paper form each year. |
| OntarioThis page | Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) | GAINS payments for seniorschecked | No separate application if you get OAS and GIS; file your income tax return every year. |
| Quebec | Revenu Québec (senior assistance tax credit) | Senior assistance tax creditchecked | Paid as a refundable tax credit, so file a Québec income tax return each year. |
| New Brunswick | Government of New Brunswick (Low-Income Seniors' Benefit, through Service New Brunswick) | None on record | |
| Nova Scotia | Department of Service Nova Scotia | Apply for Seniors Care Grantchecked | There is no monthly income top-up; low-income seniors can apply each year for the Seniors Care Grant and the property tax rebate. |
| Prince Edward Island | Seniors Independence Initiative (Department of Social Development and Seniors, Government of PEI) | None on record | Income-tested help of up to $1,800 a year toward home services for seniors 65 and over, not a cash income top-up. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | NL Seniors' Benefit, Department of Finance (paid by the Canada Revenue Agency) | NL Seniors' Benefitchecked | No application; file your income tax return to receive it. |
| Yukon | Yukon Seniors Income Supplement (Government of Yukon) | None on record | Based on your federal Guaranteed Income Supplement; apply for OAS and GIS first. |
| Northwest Territories | Income Security Programs (Department of Education, Culture and Employment) | Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefitchecked | The supplementary benefit is paid automatically if you receive OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Department of Family Services (Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit) | Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefitchecked |
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Seniors benefit in Ontario for low-income seniors", checked 12 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/seniors-benefits/ontario