Low income Canadians who qualify to receive Old Age Security are eligible to receive a monthly non taxable benefit known as Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
Eligibility
For an individual to qualify for Guaranteed Income Supplement, they must meet the criterias below:
- They’re receiving Old Age Security (65+) and
- Their annual income (or in the case of a couple, their combined income) is lower than the maximum annual threshold.
Amount of Guaranteed Income Supplement Benefit (GIS)
- The amount of income an individual could receive depends on their marital status and income.
- If the applicant is married or living in a common law relationship, the combined income of both spouses/common law partner must be taken into account
- Your net income (excluding OAS and GIS income) for the previous calendar year is used to determine benefit amounts
The table above shows that for 2019, you are eligible to receive GIS if you are:
- A single senior with total annual income less than $18,600.
- A couple both receiving OAS and with a combined annual income less than $24,576.
- A couple with only one person receiving OAS and a combined annual income less than $44,592.
- A couple with one person receiving the Allowance and a combined annual income less than $44,592.
Couples Living Apart
As of January 1, 2017, couples who are living apart due to reasons beyond their control may be eligible to receive higher benefits based on their individual income. In order to determine eligibility, they must apply in writing by submitting Spouses or Common-law Partners Living apart for Reasons Beyond their Control
Automatic Enrolment
GIS has a provision where automatic enrolment could occur if you were automatically enrolled in the OAS pension. You would receive a letter from Service Canada, 1 month after turning 64. Once qualified, Service Canada will consider you on an annual basis to determine continued eligibility. Otherwise to be considered for the GIS, you have to apply in writing using the Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
