GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income System) for Ontario seniors
GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income System) for Ontario seniors is a program run by the Ontario Ministry of Finance that gives up to $92 a month. You likely qualify if: Ontario seniors 65 or older; Getting OAS and GIS; Lived in Ontario the past 12 months (checked on the official page on October 2, 2026).
Up to $92 a month
You likely qualify if: Ontario seniors 65 or older; Getting OAS and GIS; Lived in Ontario the past 12 months; Very low private income (limits on their page).
No application needed if you get OAS and GIS: you are enrolled automatically when you file your taxes by April 30 every year (or apply for the GIS with Service Canada). Paid on or about the 25th of each month; the 2026 benefit year runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Free. Never pay anyone to apply.
Call 1-866-668-8297Send to someone who needs thisChecked on October 2, 2026 on the official page
We last read this on October 2, 2026. That was a while ago, so please check their own website before you rely on it, and tell us below if something changed.
A monthly, non-taxable Ontario payment of up to $92 a month for seniors with low income, on top of their federal OAS and GIS.
Who qualifies
Ontario seniors aged 65 or older who get the federal OAS pension and GIS, have lived in Canada for at least 10 years and in Ontario for the past 12 months (or 20 years in total since age 18), with 2025 private income up to $4,416 if single or $8,832 for a couple.
You likely qualify if:
- Ontario seniors 65 or older
- Getting OAS and GIS
- Lived in Ontario the past 12 months
- Very low private income (limits on their page)
How to apply
- Apply on their website.
- Questions? 1-866-668-8297
- Come back here and tell us if it worked.
Where else they are
Their website is ontario.ca/page/guaranteed-annual-income-sy....
Good to know
- CostFree
- LanguagesEnglish, French
- Their stepsMake sure you get the OAS pension and the GIS from Service Canada (apply with form ISP-3550 if you were not enrolled automatically). File your income tax return by April 30 every year; GAINS then starts automatically with no separate application. Look for the payment on or about the 25th of each month. Questions: call the Ontario Ministry of Finance at 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297), TTY 1-800-263-7776
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What to bring
- A tax return filed every year by April 30
Dates
No application needed if you get OAS and GIS: you are enrolled automatically when you file your taxes by April 30 every year (or apply for the GIS with Service Canada). Paid on or about the 25th of each month; the 2026 benefit year runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Something wrong? Tell us
We read all of this on their own website. If something has changed, tell us here. It takes 20 seconds, needs no account, and nothing is deleted: the old fact stays until a person checks yours.