OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Do I qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?

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The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a tax-free monthly payment added to Old Age Security (OAS) for people with low income. Many people who qualify never get it. This check takes a few minutes.

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How old are you?

Do you get the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, or will you get it at 65?

GIS is paid only to people who receive OAS.

Do you live in Canada?

GIS stops if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months in a row.

Did you come to Canada as a sponsored immigrant, and is the sponsorship still in effect?

Most people answer No. A sponsorship is a written promise by a relative to support you for a set number of years.

Has any of these happened to your sponsor?

Your sponsor has died, is in prison for more than 6 months, was convicted of an offence against you, or has declared bankruptcy.

Which of these describes you?

A spouse is a person you are married to. A common-law partner is a person you have lived with in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year.

Was your income in 2025 under $23,112?

Do not count your OAS or GIS. You can also leave out the first $5,000 you earned from a job or self-employment, and half of the next $10,000. Count CPP, workplace pensions, RRSP or RRIF withdrawals and interest.

Was your combined income in 2025, yours and your spouse's or partner's, under $30,528?

Do not count OAS or GIS. Each of you can leave out the first $5,000 earned from a job or self-employment, and half of the next $10,000. Count CPP, workplace pensions, RRSP or RRIF withdrawals and interest.

Was your combined income in 2025, yours and your spouse's or partner's, under $42,768?

Do not count OAS, GIS or the Allowance. Each of you can leave out the first $5,000 earned from a job or self-employment, and half of the next $10,000. Count CPP, workplace pensions, RRSP or RRIF withdrawals and interest.

Was your combined income in 2025, yours and your spouse's or partner's, under $55,392?

Do not count your OAS or GIS. Each of you can leave out the first $5,000 earned from a job or self-employment, and half of the next $10,000. Count CPP, workplace pensions, RRSP or RRIF withdrawals and interest.

Likely not eligible

Not yet. GIS starts at 65, with OAS.

Why

GIS is paid on top of Old Age Security, which starts at 65. Around your 64th birthday, Service Canada sends a letter that also says whether you will be enrolled in GIS.

What to do next

  1. Watch for your letter from Service Canada around your 64th birthday.
  2. File your tax return every year, even with little or no income. GIS uses it.
  3. Come back to this check when you are 64.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Not while you delay OAS.

Why

GIS is paid only while you receive OAS. While you delay OAS, you cannot get GIS, and GIS does not grow while you wait.

What to do next

  1. If your income is low, think about starting OAS now. Delaying OAS usually costs low-income seniors more in lost GIS than it gains.
  2. To start OAS, use My Service Canada Account or call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
  3. Then run this check again.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely cannot get GIS without OAS.

Why

GIS is paid only to people who receive the OAS pension.

What to do next

  1. Use our OAS check to confirm whether you qualify for OAS. Some people qualify through time in another country.
  2. If you are 60 to 64 and your spouse or partner gets OAS and GIS, check the Allowance instead.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Check OAS first.

Why

GIS depends on getting OAS. Our OAS check takes a few minutes and tells you whether you are likely to qualify.

What to do next

  1. Run our OAS eligibility check, then come back to this one.
  2. If you are already 65, look at your bank deposits for a payment from the Government of Canada marked OAS, or sign in to My Service Canada Account.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

GIS is not paid while you live outside Canada.

Why

GIS stops after you have been outside Canada for more than 6 months in a row. It can start again when you return to live in Canada.

What to do next

  1. If you plan to move back to Canada, contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 when you return.
  2. Read our guide to living outside Canada to see what happens to your other benefits.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely cannot get GIS during your sponsorship.

Why

Sponsored immigrants usually cannot get GIS until the sponsorship period ends, unless the sponsor has died, is in prison for more than 6 months, was convicted of an offence against them, or has declared bankruptcy.

What to do next

  1. Find the end date of your sponsorship on your immigration papers, and check again after that date.
  2. If your situation changes, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your sponsorship papers decide this.

Why

If you came to Canada as a sponsored relative, you usually cannot get GIS until the sponsorship ends. If you came another way, this rule does not apply to you.

What to do next

  1. Look at your immigration papers for a sponsorship agreement and its end date.
  2. Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and ask whether a sponsorship affects your GIS.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for GIS.

Why

You get OAS, live in Canada, and your 2025 income was under $23,112. From October to December 2026, a single person can get up to $1,138.90 a month in GIS. The lower your income, the more you get.

What to do next

  1. Read your OAS letter. It says whether Service Canada will enrol you in GIS automatically.
  2. If you get OAS but not GIS, apply now in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP-3025. Back payments are limited, so do not wait.
  3. File your tax return by April 30 every year, even with little or no income. That is how GIS is renewed.
  4. Check for a provincial or territorial top-up for GIS recipients. Our GIS guide lists them.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for GIS.

Why

Your spouse or partner gets OAS, and your combined 2025 income was under $30,528. From October to December 2026, each of you can get up to $685.56 a month in GIS. The lower your income, the more you get.

What to do next

  1. Both of you should check your OAS letters, or apply for GIS in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP-3025.
  2. File both tax returns by April 30 every year. That is how GIS is renewed.
  3. If you must live apart because one of you moved into long-term care, tell Service Canada. You may each get more.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for GIS.

Why

Your spouse or partner gets the Allowance, and your combined 2025 income was under $42,768. From October to December 2026, you can get up to $685.56 a month in GIS. The lower your income, the more you get.

What to do next

  1. Check your OAS letter, or apply for GIS in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP-3025.
  2. File both tax returns by April 30 every year. That is how GIS and the Allowance are renewed.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for GIS.

Why

Your spouse or partner gets neither OAS nor the Allowance, and your combined 2025 income was under $55,392. From October to December 2026, you can get up to $1,138.90 a month in GIS. The lower your income, the more you get.

What to do next

  1. Check your OAS letter, or apply for GIS in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP-3025.
  2. File both tax returns by April 30 every year. That is how GIS is renewed.
  3. If your spouse or partner is 60 to 64, check whether they qualify for the Allowance.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Your 2025 income was likely too high for GIS.

Why

GIS is only for people whose income is under the limit for their family situation. Your answer shows income at or above that limit for 2025.

What to do next

  1. Make sure you left out your OAS, the first $5,000 of work income, and half of the next $10,000. These do not count.
  2. If your income dropped this year, for example because you retired or a pension ended, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914. They can estimate your GIS using this year's expected income.
  3. File your taxes every year and check again next year.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your 2025 income decides this.

Why

You meet the other rules for GIS. Whether you get it, and how much, depends on your income for 2025.

What to do next

  1. Find your net income on line 23600 of your 2025 tax return or on your Notice of Assessment. Then take off your OAS, any GIS, and the work income that does not count.
  2. If you have not filed your 2025 tax return, file it now. GIS cannot be worked out without it.
  3. Apply for GIS anyway if you think you are close. Service Canada works out the amount from your tax return.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Guaranteed Income Supplement: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
  2. Old Age Security: Payment amounts (Government of Canada)
  3. Guaranteed Income Supplement: Apply (Government of Canada)
  4. Guaranteed Income Supplement: While receiving (Government of Canada)

All eligibility checks