Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System payments for seniors
If you’re a low-income senior, you may qualify for monthly Guaranteed Annual Income System payments.
Information
To ensure that more seniors who need financial help get it, the government is expanding the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) program and indexing the GAINS benefit to inflation.
Starting in July 2024, the maximum benefit will increase to $87 per month for eligible single seniors and to $174 per month for couples. Going forward, the benefit will be adjusted to inflation annually.
Also in July, the annual private income eligibility threshold will increase from $1,992 to $4,176 for single seniors, and from $3,984 to $8,352 for couples.
The Ministry of Finance hosts free webinars to help you learn about Ontario taxes, tax credits and benefits.
About the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
GAINS provides a monthly, non-taxable benefit to low-income Ontario seniors.
Payment amounts
Monthly GAINS payments range between $2.50 and $83.
If you have no private income, you'll receive the maximum benefit of $83 a month.
Your payment can change if your income or marital status changes.
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.
Together, the total maximum benefits from OAS, GIS and GAINS is the guaranteed income level. The Province guarantees that eligible Ontario seniors will have at least this minimum level of income.
The guaranteed income level is updated every three months to reflect inflation.
Select a table below to find out if you qualify for monthly GAINS payments. The data is organized by private income levels.
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For ages 65 to 74 - Single pensioner
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For ages 65 to 74 - Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For ages 65 to 74 - Married both pensioners
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For ages 65 to 74 - Married, one pensioner
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For ages 75 and over - Single pensioner
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For age 75 and over - Married both pensioners
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For age 75 and over - Married, one pensioner
- Ontario GAINS benefit rates: For age 75 and over - Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
Eligibility
You qualify for GAINS payments if you:
- are 65 years or older
- have lived in Ontario for the past 12 months or for a total of 20 years since turning age 18
- have been a Canadian resident for 10 years or more
- receive the federal OAS pension and GIS payments
- have an annual private income of up to $1,992 if you are a single senior or up to $3,984 if you are a senior couple.
Private income may include money from a private 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 benefits 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 payments 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