GIS and Allowances
Seniors who have a low or modest income may be eligible for the Guaranteed
Income Supplement (GIS) in addition to Old Age Security. The GIS is based on annual income or the combined annual income of you and your spouse. To be a recipient of this benefit you must apply and renew it annually. You can do this automatically by filing your income tax, or by completing the renewal form. Unlike Old Age Security the GIS is not taxable income, but it’s included when determining net income. A spouse or common law partner who is 60 or older but less than 65, of a Guaranteed Income Supplement recipient, may be entitled to the Allowance or the Allowance of the Survivor.
The monthly Allowance is determined by your income, both you and your spouse’s income. The Allowance for the Survivor is determined solely by the survivor’s income. To be a recipient of the Allowance you must meet the following:
- be 60 or older but less than 65
- be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident on the day before the application is approved
- resided in Canada for a minimum of 10 years after reaching the age of 18
- the individual becomes 65
- dies
- the individual no longer meet the requirements for GIS
- the individual is separated or divorce
- either spouse is residing outside of Canada for a period of 6 months or more, excluding the month of departure
- meet the requirements for the Allowance
- be a widowed individual
- the individual becomes 65
- dies
- the individual remarries or is in a common-law relationship for a year
- is residing outside of Canada for a period of 6 months or more, excluding the month of departure
For additional information, please call Social Development Canada at 1-800-277-9914 or visit www.canadabenefits.gc.ca