Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System payments for seniors
If you’re a senior with low income, you may qualify for monthly Guaranteed Annual Income System payments.
Information
The government has expanded the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System program and indexed the benefit to inflation. This means you may receive a higher payment or begin receiving a GAINS payment for the first time beginning July 2024.
Join the Ontario Ministry of Finance for a free webinar to help you learn about tax credits, benefits, and other programs available to support Ontario seniors with a low income. Visit ontario.ca/TaxTalk to learn more.
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.
- For ages 65 to 74 - Single pensioner
- For ages 65 to 74 - Married both pensioners
- For ages 65 to 74 - Married, one pensioner
- For ages 65 to 74 - Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
- For ages 75 and over - Single pensioner
- For age 75 and over - Married both pensioners
- For age 75 and over - Married, one pensioner
- For age 75 and over - Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
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:
- file your return every year by April 30, even if you don't have income to report, or
- complete a GIS application and send it to your nearest Service Canada office
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
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