How to Apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement in Canada if You Were Not Automatically Enrolled
Learn how to apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement if Service Canada did not automatically enroll you, including GIS eligibility, 2026 income limits, the online application, Form ISP-3025 and what happens after you apply.
CA Canada
Benefits & Support ~ 11 min read
14 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-25
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If you are 65 or older, receive the Old Age Security pension, live in Canada and have income below the applicable GIS limit, you may qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Service Canada automatically enrolls many eligible seniors, but you may need to apply if you receive a letter asking you to apply or if you already receive OAS but never applied for GIS. You can apply online through My Service Canada Account if you meet the online application conditions, or by mail using Form ISP-3025 if you already receive OAS. If you need to apply for both OAS and GIS, use Form ISP-3550.
What you need
- Your Social Insurance Number and date of birth.
- Your spouse or common-law partner's Social Insurance Number and date of birth, if applicable.
- Information about where you have lived since age 18.
- Information about any reduction in employment or pension income during the last two years.
- Information about income earned in another country by you and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.
- Banking information if you want to register for direct deposit.
- For a paper GIS-only application, complete Form ISP-3025, Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Statement of Income.
- If applying for both OAS and GIS, complete Form ISP-3550, Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
- Include certified true copies of required documents when the paper application instructions require them, and sign all required sections in pen.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you must be 65 or older, receive the Old Age Security pension, live in Canada, generally not be under a sponsorship agreement, and have annual income below the threshold that applies to your marital and partner situation. For July to September 2026, the income limit is less than $22,800 for a single, divorced or widowed person; less than $30,096 in combined annual income if a spouse or common-law partner receives the full OAS pension; less than $42,144 combined if the spouse or partner receives the Allowance; and less than $54,624 combined if the spouse or partner does not receive OAS or the Allowance. Special exceptions to the sponsorship restriction can apply if the sponsor has died, is imprisoned for more than six months, has been convicted of an offence against you or declares personal bankruptcy.
How to do it
- Check whether Service Canada has already enrolled you automatically for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
- If it has been one month since your 64th birthday and you did not receive an enrollment letter, contact Service Canada to find out whether you need to apply.
- Confirm that you meet the GIS age, OAS, residence, sponsorship and income requirements.
- Gather your SIN, date of birth, spouse or common-law partner information if applicable, residence history, relevant income information and banking details.
- If eligible to apply online, sign in to My Service Canada Account, open the Old Age Security section, select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits, select Apply for benefits, and choose the Guaranteed Income Supplement application that matches your situation.
- If applying by mail and you already receive OAS, complete Form ISP-3025. If you also need to apply for OAS, complete Form ISP-3550 instead.
- Provide any required certified true copies and sign every required paper-form section using a pen.
- Submit the online application or mail the completed paper forms according to Service Canada instructions.
- Check your application status in My Service Canada Account and respond promptly if Service Canada asks for additional information.
- Review the decision letter, which will state your payment amount, first payment date and any past payments owed if your application is approved.
Do you need to apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
Many people do not need to submit a separate Guaranteed Income Supplement application. If Service Canada has enough information, it normally sends a letter shortly after your 64th birthday confirming your Old Age Security enrollment and stating that it will try to enroll you automatically for the GIS.
You need to take action if Service Canada sends you a letter asking you to apply, if the information in your enrollment letter is incorrect, or if you applied for OAS but never applied for GIS.
If it has been one month since your 64th birthday and you have not received an enrollment letter, Service Canada instructs you to contact them to determine whether an application is required.
Who qualifies for the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
The GIS is a monthly, tax-free benefit for low-income people who receive the Old Age Security pension.
To qualify, you must:
- be 65 years old or older;
- receive the Old Age Security pension;
- live in Canada;
- generally not be under a sponsorship agreement; and
- have annual income below the applicable GIS threshold.
What are the GIS income limits in 2026?
GIS eligibility and payment amounts depend on your income and, if you have a spouse or common-law partner, your combined income and your partner's benefit status.
For the July to September 2026 payment period, the Government of Canada lists these maximum annual income thresholds:
- Single, divorced or widowed: less than $22,800.
- Spouse or common-law partner receives the full OAS pension: combined annual income of less than $30,096.
- Spouse or common-law partner receives the Allowance: combined annual income of less than $42,144.
- Spouse or common-law partner does not receive OAS or the Allowance: combined annual income of less than $54,624.
These thresholds can change. OAS and GIS payment amounts are reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and October to reflect increases in the cost of living.
How much is the Guaranteed Income Supplement in 2026?
For July to September 2026, the maximum monthly GIS amounts published by the Government of Canada are:
- up to $1,123.17 per month if you are single, divorced or widowed;
- up to $676.09 per month if your spouse or common-law partner receives the full OAS pension;
- up to $676.09 per month if your spouse or common-law partner receives the Allowance;
- up to $1,123.17 per month if your spouse or common-law partner does not receive OAS or the Allowance.
The maximum is not guaranteed. Your actual GIS payment depends on your income and personal situation.
What information do you need before applying?
Service Canada tells applicants to gather the following information before starting:
- your Social Insurance Number and date of birth;
- your spouse or common-law partner's SIN and date of birth, if applicable;
- information about where you have lived since age 18;
- details of any reduction in employment or pension income during the last two years;
- foreign income information for you and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable;
- banking information if you want direct deposit.
How to apply for GIS online through My Service Canada Account
You can apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement online through My Service Canada Account only if you meet all of Service Canada's online application conditions.
You must:
- be at least one month past your 64th birthday;
- live in Canada;
- not have already applied, unless your application is still being assessed by Service Canada; and
- not have a third party, such as a power of attorney or trustee, managing your OAS account.
If you meet these conditions:
- Register for or sign in to My Service Canada Account.
- Go to the Old Age Security section.
- Select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits.
- Select Apply for benefits.
- If you already receive OAS, choose the Application for Guaranteed Income Supplement.
- If you have not yet applied for OAS, choose the Application for Old Age Security Pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
- Complete and submit the application.
Which form do you use to apply for GIS by mail?
The correct paper form depends on whether you already receive Old Age Security.
If you already receive OAS
Use Form ISP-3025, Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Statement of Income.
If you also need to apply for OAS
Use Form ISP-3550, Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Service Canada advises paper applicants to complete the appropriate form, include certified true copies of required documents where applicable, sign all sections requiring a signature using a pen, and attach extra paper if more space is needed.
Can someone help you with the GIS application?
Yes. You can authorize another person to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf.
Online, this can be done in My Service Canada Account using the option to give consent to communicate on your behalf. For a paper application, you can use Form ISP-1603, Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person.
This authorization does not allow that person to apply for benefits for you, change your payment address or request or change tax withholding.
What if someone must administer your benefits for you?
If a person cannot manage their own pension and benefits, additional Service Canada procedures apply. A medical professional must complete Form ISP-3505, Certificate of Incapability OAS/CPP.
An individual private trustee may also need Form ISP-3506. An agency, charitable organization or municipality acting as administrator may need Form ISP-3507.
Can sponsored immigrants receive GIS?
Generally, you cannot receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement while you are under a sponsorship agreement.
Service Canada lists exceptions where the sponsor has died, has been imprisoned for more than six months, has been convicted of an offence against you, or declares personal bankruptcy.
Effective October 1, 2025, GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor cannot generally be paid for the entire sponsorship period. The federal government states that parent and grandparent sponsorship agreements have been extended from 10 to 20 years in all provinces except Quebec.
An immigrant who is not sponsored may receive GIS if they otherwise qualify for the Old Age Security pension and meet the GIS conditions.
How is your GIS amount calculated?
Your payment depends mainly on your marital status and your income from the previous year. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, Service Canada generally uses your combined income.
The benefit is income-tested, so a person with lower income may receive a higher payment, up to the maximum amount for their situation.
Does working automatically disqualify you from GIS?
No. Employment or self-employment income does not automatically make you ineligible. Government of Canada rules provide an earnings exemption for GIS calculations.
You can earn up to $5,000 from employment or self-employment without reducing your GIS because of those earnings. For employment or self-employment earnings between $5,000 and $15,000, the Government of Canada applies a 50% exemption to that portion when calculating GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor benefits.
Your total income must still meet the applicable GIS eligibility rules.
What if your income has recently dropped?
GIS is normally calculated using income from the previous year. However, if your annual income has fallen because you retired or because pension income was reduced or stopped, contact Service Canada.
In qualifying circumstances, Service Canada may calculate your benefit using an estimate of your current-year income rather than relying entirely on the previous year's income.
How long does a GIS application take?
Service Canada does not publish a single fixed GIS application processing time on its current application page.
After you apply, Service Canada will send you a letter. The letter will either request more information or provide a decision.
If approved, the decision letter will show:
- the amount you will receive each month;
- the date of your first payment; and
- any past payments that may be owed to you.
How do you check your GIS application status?
You can check the status of your application in My Service Canada Account.
MSCA also allows you to manage certain information related to your OAS and GIS benefits, including your mailing address, telephone number and direct deposit information.
When will your first GIS payment arrive?
If you qualify, your GIS is paid together with your Old Age Security pension as one payment.
Service Canada states that your first GIS payment will be either the month after you turn 65 or the date specified in your decision letter, depending on your situation.
Is the Guaranteed Income Supplement taxable?
The GIS is a tax-free benefit. It is paid as part of Canada's Old Age Security program to eligible low-income OAS pension recipients.
Do you need to reapply for GIS every year?
GIS eligibility is reviewed every year. In most cases, Service Canada can reassess and renew the benefit automatically using income information from your income tax return.
To avoid interruptions, file your income tax return on time every year. The Government of Canada warns that if income information is unavailable, GIS payments may stop or be reduced. You can also report your income directly to Service Canada to renew or confirm eligibility when necessary.
What changes should you report to Service Canada?
Changes in your circumstances can affect your GIS eligibility or payment. Keep Service Canada informed about relevant changes, particularly changes to your marital status, address, residence, income or banking information.
What if Service Canada denies your GIS application?
If you disagree with Service Canada's decision, you can request a reconsideration.
Your request must be made in writing within 90 days of receiving the decision letter.
Guaranteed Income Supplement application checklist
- Confirm that you receive or are applying for Old Age Security.
- Confirm that you are 65 or older and live in Canada.
- Check the current income threshold for your marital situation.
- Check whether Service Canada has already automatically enrolled you.
- Gather your SIN, date of birth, residence history and income details.
- Gather spouse or common-law partner information if applicable.
- Choose the online application if you meet all MSCA conditions.
- Use Form ISP-3025 if applying only for GIS by mail.
- Use Form ISP-3550 if applying for both OAS and GIS by mail.
- Include required certified copies with a paper application.
- Sign every required paper section in pen.
- Monitor your application in My Service Canada Account.
- File your income tax return each year to help keep GIS payments from being interrupted.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the Guaranteed Income Supplement in Canada?
You generally must be 65 or older, receive the Old Age Security pension, live in Canada, not be under a sponsorship agreement and have income below the threshold for your marital and partner situation.
Do I have to apply for GIS if I already receive OAS?
Not always. Service Canada automatically enrolls many eligible OAS recipients. You may need to apply if Service Canada sends you a letter asking you to apply or if you receive OAS but never applied for GIS.
How do I apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement online?
If you meet the online eligibility conditions, sign in to My Service Canada Account, open the Old Age Security section, select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits, select Apply for benefits and choose the Guaranteed Income Supplement application.
What form do I need to apply for GIS if I already receive OAS?
Use Form ISP-3025, Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Statement of Income, if you are applying by mail and already receive the Old Age Security pension.
What form do I use if I need both OAS and GIS?
Use Form ISP-3550, Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, when applying for both benefits by mail.
What is the GIS income limit for a single person in 2026?
For July to September 2026, a single, divorced or widowed person must have annual income below $22,800 to meet the published GIS income threshold.
What is the maximum GIS payment in 2026?
For July to September 2026, the maximum is up to $1,123.17 per month for a single, divorced or widowed recipient and for a recipient whose spouse or partner does not receive OAS or the Allowance. The maximum is up to $676.09 in the listed situations where the spouse or partner receives the full OAS pension or the Allowance.
Is the Guaranteed Income Supplement taxable?
No. The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a tax-free monthly benefit.
Can I receive GIS if I still work?
Potentially. Employment or self-employment does not automatically disqualify you. An earnings exemption applies, but your overall income must still meet the applicable GIS rules.
What happens if my income drops after I retire?
Contact Service Canada if your annual income drops because you retired or pension income was reduced or stopped. In qualifying circumstances, Service Canada may estimate your current-year income instead of relying on the previous year's income.
How long does it take to get a decision on a GIS application?
Service Canada does not publish one fixed processing time on the current GIS application page. It will send you a letter either requesting more information or providing a decision.
How can I check my GIS application status?
You can check your application status through My Service Canada Account.
Do I have to file taxes to keep receiving GIS?
You should file your income tax return on time every year so Service Canada can automatically review your eligibility. If your income information is unavailable, payments may stop or be reduced, although income can also be reported directly to Service Canada when necessary.
Can I appeal a denied GIS application?
If you disagree with the decision, you can request reconsideration in writing. Service Canada states that the request must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the decision letter.
Official sources
Service Canada - Guaranteed Income Supplement overviewService Canada - Guaranteed Income Supplement eligibilityService Canada - Guaranteed Income Supplement applyService Canada - Guaranteed Income Supplement payment amountsService Canada - Guaranteed Income Supplement after you applyService Canada - Receiving the Guaranteed Income SupplementService Canada - Old Age Security payment amountsService Canada - Application for Guaranteed Income Supplement or Statement of Income ISP-3025Service Canada - Application for the Old Age Security Pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement ISP-3550Related procedures
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