About the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)

GAINS provides a monthly, non-taxable payment to Ontario seniors with low income.

Payments

GAINS provides up to $87 per month to eligible seniors. If you have no private income, you'll receive the maximum amount.

GAINS payments are provided on top of the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments you may receive from the federal government.

Based on your age and marital status, select a table below to determine your monthly GAINS payment. The data is organized by private income  levels. Your GAINS payment can change during the benefit year if your private income or marital status changes. A benefit year runs from July 1st to June 30th of the next year.

Data: historical GAINS benefit rates

Eligibility

You qualify for GAINS payments if you:

  • are 65 years or older
  • have been a Canadian resident for 10 years or more
  • have lived in Ontario for the past 12 months or for a total of 20 years since turning age 18
  • receive the federal OAS pension and GIS payments
  • have an annual private income of up to $4,176 if you are a single senior or up to $8,352 if you are a senior couple 

Private income may include money from a workplace pension, the Canada Pension Plan, bank interest, etc.

How to apply

If you currently receive the OAS pension and GIS, you do not have to apply. Your GAINS payment will be determined based on information received from Employment and Social Development Canada and the details provided on your personal Income Tax and Benefit Return.

To receive your GAINS payment you must:

Get your monthly payments

Payments are issued on or about the 25th day of each month, starting in July and ending in June of the next year.

To sign up for direct deposit of your GAINS payments, visit the Service Canada or call 1-800-277-9914.

Objections

If you are not satisfied with a decision regarding your GAINS eligibility or payments, contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance at:

If you are still not satisfied, you can complete a formal Notice of Objection form within 90 days from the written decision was mailed to you.

For example, if the decision was mailed to you on June 1, we must receive your Notice of Objection by August 29.

Once you have completed the form send it by registered mail to:

Ministry of Finance
c/o Director, Advisory, Objections, Appeals and Services Branch
33 King Street West, Post Office Box 699, Station A
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8S6

Other tax credits and benefits

Find out about Ontario benefit programs  you may be eligible for, or calculate your tax credits.

You can also visit the Canada Revenue Agency site for more information on credits and benefits or call 1-877-627-6645.