Question Period Note: GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT (GIS)

What is Service Canada doing to ensure that eligible seniors continue receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement to which they are entitled?

• Service Canada is committed to supporting seniors and ensuring they receive the benefits to which they are entitled, including the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors.
• Service Canada has made Guaranteed Income Supplement renewal easier for clients. Seniors who filed their taxes on time with the Canada Revenue Agency will have their Guaranteed Income Supplement entitlement reviewed automatically.
• Last year, 96% of beneficiaries had their benefits renewed via this process.
• The Department prioritizes communicating with seniors who were not renewed due to missing income information. These individuals are encouraged to file their taxes or provide their income information to Service Canada.
• Service Canada continues to strengthen the annual Guaranteed Income Supplement reassessment process. Clients can contact Service Canada at any time if they have questions about their benefits.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides financial assistance to seniors who have little or no income other than the Old Age Security (OAS) pension. Currently, the program GIS provides up to $1,086.88 per month for a single, widowed, or divorced OAS pensioner (April to July 2025). A person with a spouse/common-law partner could receive up to $654.23 per month of GIS if their spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension or Allowance, and up to $1,086.88 if the spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension
(April to July 2025).

With no other income, seniors receive the maximum GIS benefit. However, for every $2 of other income, the maximum benefit is reduced by $1. Calculating the GIS based on all sources of income allows the benefits to be targeted to those most in need.

In order for the GIS benefit to be renewed each July, seniors should file an individual Income Tax and Benefit return with the Canada Revenue Agency. Alternatively, individuals can provide their income information directly to Service Canada by mail or in-person.

To date, over 99% of GIS recipients had been reassessed. Service Canada continues to prioritize GIS reassessments as income information becomes available.

If Pressed
• The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides financial assistance to seniors who have little or no income other than the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.

• Currently, the GIS provides up to $1,086.88 per month for a single, widowed, or divorced OAS pensioner (April to July 2025).

• Seniors with no other income receive this maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement benefit amount.