Canada GIS Payment Dates 2025 – Eligibility, Deposit Schedule & Benefit Amount

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly, non-taxable payment that tops up the Old Age Security (OAS) pension for low-income seniors in Canada.

If you receive OAS, live in Canada, and your income is below specific limits, you can get extra money each month through GIS.

It is paid together with OAS on the same deposit date, so you’ll see one combined payment.

2025 GIS Deposit Schedule (All Months)

GIS follows the OAS payment calendar. Here are the 2025 deposit dates for direct deposit and mailed cheques:

Month 2025	GIS/OAS Pay Date
January	January 29, 2025
February	February 26, 2025
March	March 27, 2025
April	April 28, 2025
May	May 28, 2025
June	June 26, 2025
July	July 29, 2025
August	August 27, 2025
September	September 25, 2025
October	October 29, 2025
November	November 26, 2025
December	December 22, 2025

Tip: Choose direct deposit to avoid postal delays and to receive your GIS on the exact date shown above.

Eligibility: Who Can Receive GIS In 2025?

You may qualify for GIS in 2025 if you:

• Are 65 or older
• Live in Canada
• Receive OAS
• Have income below the limit for your situation (single or couple)

Key 2025 income thresholds (these determine basic eligibility; your exact monthly amount depends on actual income):

• Single, widowed, or divorced: annual income under $22,272
• Married/common-law, spouse receives full OAS: combined annual income under $29,424
• Married/common-law, spouse receives the Allowance: combined income under $41,184
• Married/common-law, spouse does not receive OAS/Allowance: combined income under $53,376

Outside Canada rule: GIS is intended for residents of Canada. If you are outside Canada for more than 6 months, your GIS stops until you return and update your information.

GIS Amounts In 2025 (By Family Situation)

GIS amounts adjust quarterly (January, April, July, October) based on inflation.

Your actual monthly amount depends on your previous year’s income (or a current-year estimate, if your income has fallen).

Below are maximum monthly GIS amounts typical for very low incomes in the July–September 2025 quarter:

Family Situation (July–Sept 2025)	Income Must Be	Max Monthly GIS
Single / Divorced / Widowed	< $22,272	Up to $1,097.75
Spouse/Partner receives full OAS	< $29,424 (combined)	Up to $660.78
Spouse/Partner receives the Allowance	< $41,184 (combined)	Up to $660.78
Spouse/Partner does not receive OAS/Allowance	< $53,376 (combined)	Up to $1,097.75

Important: These are maximums for very low incomes. As your income increases, your GIS decreases until it reaches zero at the cutoff.

How GIS Is Calculated (Plain English)

The Basic Rule

• Service Canada uses your tax return to look at your previous year’s income (for couples, this is combined income).
• The lower your income, the higher your GIS—until you reach the applicable income cutoff.

If Your Income Drops This Year

• If your income falls suddenly (for example, you retire or stop working), you can ask Service Canada to use a current-year income estimate so your GIS increases sooner, instead of waiting for next year’s tax return.

What Income Counts

• GIS calculation considers most taxable income (CPP, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, interest, dividends, employment income, etc.).
• OAS itself is not counted as income for GIS, and GIS is non-taxable.

GIS Earnings Exemption (Working Seniors)

If you still work part-time, the GIS Earnings Exemption helps you keep more of your GIS:

• The first $5,000 of employment or self-employment income is fully exempt (ignored) for GIS.
• The next $10,000 is 50% exempt.
• Only the remaining amount (if any) is counted against GIS.

Example: If you earn $8,000 from part-time work, $5,000 is ignored and 50% of the next $3,000 (i.e., $1,500) counts as income for GIS purposes.

Cost Of Living And Quarterly Indexation

• OAS and GIS are reviewed four times a year—in January, April, July, and October—to keep up with Consumer Price Index (CPI) changes.
• If inflation rises, your OAS pension and GIS are adjusted upward.
• If CPI falls, benefits do not decrease; the rate stays at least the same until the next increase.

How To Apply (Or Get Enrolled Automatically)

Automatic Enrollment

Many seniors are automatically enrolled in OAS and GIS if Service Canada already has enough information. You’ll receive a letter with your details. If something is missing, they may ask you to apply.

If You Need To Apply

• You can submit a GIS application after you start receiving OAS.
• Make sure your personal details, marital status, and banking information are accurate.
• Choose direct deposit to ensure on-time payments on the official dates.

Keep Your Payments On Track

To avoid interruptions or overpayments, follow this checklist:

• File your tax return every year (even if you had no income). GIS is income-tested and relies on tax data.
• Report changes promptly: marital status, address, income changes, or travel outside Canada longer than 6 months.
• If your income drops this year, ask for a current-year estimate review so your GIS can increase without waiting.
• Keep direct deposit active and up to date.

Situations That Can Change Your GIS In 2025

• Indexation (January, April, July, October) may raise your amount with inflation.
• Starting CPP, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, investment income, or part-time work can reduce your GIS.
• Not filing taxes on time can suspend or delay GIS until your return is processed.
• Leaving Canada for more than 6 months pauses GIS until you return.

Provincial Top-Ups You Might Also Receive

Some provinces offer extra monthly supplements that add on to federal OAS/GIS. Examples include:

• Ontario (GAINS): can add a modest monthly amount (often up to $90/month) for eligible low-income seniors.
• Other provinces/territories may have similar supplements or property tax credits, drug benefits, and rebates tied to low income and age.

Action step: Check your provincial senior benefits page to see if you qualify for any top-ups in addition to GIS.

Summary: 2025 GIS At A Glance

Topic	Key Details
Who Qualifies	65+, living in Canada, receiving OAS, and below income limits
Income Limits (2025)	Single: under $22,272; Couple (spouse on OAS): under $29,424; Couple (spouse on Allowance): under $41,184; Couple (spouse not on OAS/Allowance): under $53,376
Max Monthly GIS (Jul–Sep 2025)	Single: up to $1,097.75; Couple (each, spouse on OAS or Allowance): up to $660.78; Couple (spouse not on OAS/Allowance): up to $1,097.75
2025 Pay Dates	Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 27, Apr 28, May 28, Jun 26, Jul 29, Aug 27, Sep 25, Oct 29, Nov 26, Dec 22
Tax Status	Non-taxable
Indexation	Reviewed quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct) with CPI
Earnings Exemption	First $5,000 of work income ignored; next $10,000 is 50% exempt
Outside Canada	Stops after 6 months abroad until you return and update details
How To Keep Payments	File taxes, use direct deposit, report changes quickly

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a crucial support for low-income seniors in Canada, adding a non-taxable monthly amount to your OAS based on your income and family situation.

For 2025, mark the official payment dates from January 29 through December 22 to know exactly when money arrives.

Keep in mind that GIS amounts are indexed to inflation four times a year, and your actual payment depends on your reported income—with a generous earnings exemption that lets part-time workers keep more.

To avoid delays or interruptions, file taxes every year, use direct deposit, report any big changes (income, marital status, or long absences), and consider a current-year income estimate if your income has recently fallen.

With these steps, you can maximize your GIS and receive the right amount, on time, throughout 2025.

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