Guaranteed Income Supplement

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a federally funded social benefit paid to low-income Canadian seniors 65 years or older.

Tips & Links

• The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is available to Old Age Security (OAS) pensioners (65 years or older) with low income. It is a monthly, non-taxable benefit that supports seniors to help meet their basic needs.
• Know that if you are eligible, you should receive a letter one month after you turn 64, stating when you may receive your first payment. This process is the same as the process to receive your OAS. In some cases, you may have to apply.
• Learn more about the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) eligibility, benefit amount, and the application process.
• Talk to your financial planner or qualified care partners about eligibility criteria, deciding when to start taking your pension, and the amount you can receive.
• To apply for GIS create your My Service Canada Account at any age. You need to provide personal information such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and other identifying details to verify your identity. Once your account is created and verified, you can log into your account to view your CPP, EI, and OAS information, update your personal details, and access other online services offered by Service Canada.
• Explore the Benefits Wayfinder website to learn more about public benefits and those you might be eligible to receive.
• Explore the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator to learn about some of your potential retirement income by combining your expected OAS pension and CPP pension.
• Check out the government of Canada Retirement Hub to learn about how to plan for, apply, and manage your publicly-funded benefits.
• Be aware that your GIS can be a significant part of your retirement financial plan and that is why it is listed in your Mywell Health planner under My Financial Plan.

Tools – Handouts & Checklists