The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Allowance, and Allowance for the survivor are additional income-tested benefits available to low-income seniors through the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
Read on to learn how to apply for the old age security supplement, the eligibility requirements, and GIS payment dates in 2024.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The GIS is a monthly benefit available to seniors who have a low income and are living in Canada. Unlike the universal OAS and Canada Pension Plan (CPP), GIS benefits are not taxable.
Guaranteed Income Supplement payments are not taxable, and your first payment starts after you turn 65.
GIS Payment Dates in 2024
GIS is paid by direct deposit to your bank account on the following dates in 2024.
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 25, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
Guaranteed Income Supplement for 2024
Below are the GIS amounts for individuals receiving a full OAS pension between July and September 2024.
| Scenarios | Maximum monthly payment | Maximum annual income threshold |
| If you are a single, widowed, or divorced pensioner | $1,065.47 | $21,768 (individual income) |
| If your spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension | $641.35 | $28,752 (combined income) |
| If your spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension | $1,065.47 | $52,176 (combined income) |
| If your spouse/common-law partner receives the Allowance | $641.35 | $40,272 (combined income) |
The table above shows that for 2024, you are eligible to receive GIS if you are:
- A single senior with a total annual income of less than $21,768.
- A couple both receiving OAS and with a combined annual income of less than $28,752.
- A couple with only one person receiving OAS and a combined annual income of less than $52,176.
- A couple with one person receiving the Allowance and a combined annual income less than $40,272.
GIS benefit amounts and income levels are updated every quarter using the Consumer Price Index. For the most updated Service Canada GIS rate calculation, see here.
Eligibility for the GIS
You qualify for the GIS if:
- You are receiving the OAS pension, and
- Your annual income is lower than the maximum annual threshold, and
- You reside in Canada.
If incarcerated for two years or more, GIS eligibility is suspended.
The amount of GIS benefits you qualify for depends on your income level and marital status. Your net income (excluding OAS and GIS income) for the previous calendar year is used to determine benefit amounts.
For couples, the combined annual net income is used to calculate their guaranteed income supplement amount.
How to Apply for the GIS
You may have to apply in writing for the GIS. This can happen immediately after you have started receiving the OAS. The application form can be found here.
For subsequent years, once you file an income tax return, your eligibility for GIS will be assessed automatically.
Related: Complete Guide To Retirement Income In Canada.
Allowance Benefit
The Allowance is one of the supplementary monthly benefits available to low-income individuals who are the spouse or common-law partner of someone who is receiving the GIS. It is a non-taxable benefit.
Who is Eligible for the Allowance Benefit?
To qualify for Allowance benefits:
- You must be between the ages of 60 and 64;
- Your spouse or partner must be receiving the OAS and be eligible for the GIS;
- You must be a Canadian resident;
- The combined income of the couple must be lower than the maximum amount threshold, i.e. $40,272 for 2024.
The maximum monthly payment payable as Allowance benefits is $1,364.17 for the July to September 2024 period. You will stop receiving Allowance benefits the month after your 65th birthday.
How to Apply for the Allowance Benefit
You must apply in writing if you want to receive the Allowance. You can send in your application starting the month after your 59th birthday.
Related: Understanding the Old Age Security (OAS) Pension.
Allowance for the Survivor
This is the third supplemental benefit under the OAS program. It is a non-taxable benefit available to low-income seniors between the ages of 60 and 64 whose spouse or common-law partner has died.
Who is Eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor Benefit?
To qualify for OAS survivor benefits:
- You must be between the ages of 60 and 64;
- You must be a Canadian resident;
- Your annual income must be less than the maximum threshold ($29,328 for 2024);
- Your spouse or common-law partner has died, and you have not remarried or entered into another common-law relationship.
The maximum monthly benefit payable under the Allowance for the Survivor benefit is $1,626.20 for the July to September 2024 period. Allowance for the Survivor benefits stops the month after you turn 65, at which time you may qualify for the OAS and/or GIS benefits.
How to Apply for the Allowance for the Survivor Benefit
You must apply in writing to receive the Allowance for the Survivor benefit. You can send in your application the month after your 59th birthday. Your eligibility for the benefit in subsequent years is assessed automatically based on your income tax return.
Conclusion
In some cases, your income for the current year can be estimated to compute how much benefit you will receive. This may result from lower income from a recent retirement, a reduction in pension income, a change in marital status, etc.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility for the Old Age Security benefits, you can contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914. You can also download general application forms for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance, and Allowance for the Survivor here.
Guaranteed Income Supplement FAQ
You can qualify for GIS benefits as a single senior if your income is less than $21,768 per year. Couples can also qualify for GIS with income ranging from $28,752 to $52,176, depending on whether their spouse qualifies for an OAS pension.
The maximum monthly GIS amount is $1,072.93 for the July to September 2024 payment period.
Yes, the income you receive from the Canada Pension Plan can put you over the maximum threshold for GIS benefits and result in OAS clawbacks.
The maximum OAS benefit in 2024 is $718.33 for seniors aged 65 to 74 and $790.16 for seniors aged 75 and older. When your annual income exceeds $142,609 (age 65 to 74) or $148,179 (age 75 and older), OAS benefits go to $0.
You can receive GIS benefits even if you have a hefty RRSP balance by lowering your RRSP withdrawals and keeping your income below the GIS income threshold. Note that there are mandatory withdrawals from an RRIF starting at age 71, which may put your income above this threshold and result in OAS/GIS clawback.
You can delay your CPP benefits until age 70 and collect GIS if you are eligible. Here are some reasons to delay CPP.
Also Read:
- CPP and OAS Benefits for Surviving Spouses and Children
- How To Generate Regular Income From Your RRSP
- Understanding the Canada Pension Plan
- RRSP Transfers Explained
- RRSP Over-Contribution: What Are The Penalties?
- How To Generate Income From a LIRA
- OAS Payment Dates
Hi Enoch, my husband recently passed away. He was drawing CPP & OAS which have both been discontinued/lost. I am 63 and on CPP-D. In case I have missed available benefits…Do you happen to have information on whether I qualify to apply for the OAS “Allowance”?
@Shelly: You could qualify for the OAS Allowance for the Survivor Benefit if you meet the income threshold, which is currently $28,080 for 2023. Best to contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to check your options.
I’m on odsp, I was expecting to receive gis,oap, and a small cpp of about 260 a month,they have agreed to oap and cpp but sent me a form for cpp disability which I don’t think I qualify for my question is do I still have to fill it out,I just had a second open heart surgery, valve replacement in 8 years haven worked in more than 10 years or contributed more than 25 years, also if I get about 260 a month on cpp how much will gis take from my cpp
@Art: I think it is best to give CPP a call to clarify which one you should be applying for.