If you're getting Old Age Security payments in Canada — or even if you're not — you might not realize there's a chance you could qualify for even more money from the program this benefit year.
Old Age Security (OAS) is a public pension from the federal government that helps Canadians 65 and older cover everyday living costs in retirement. Administered by Service Canada, the monthly government payment offers up to $808.45 to seniors with an income of less than $154,196 per year.
But on top of that, the federal government also offers extra support through OAS-linked programs like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor.
These payments are meant to help low-income seniors, spouses and widows cover basic expenses, and they're added on top of your regular OAS pension if you qualify — and the next OAS payment is rolling out this week on Wednesday, August 27.
Here's how these Old Age Security benefits work in Canada, who can get them and how much money is on the table in 2025.
What is the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment for people who already receive the Old Age Security pension and have a low income. It's designed to top up your OAS so you have more money to cover daily needs like rent, groceries and bills, and it's completely non-taxable.
To qualify for the GIS in 2025, you need to be 65 or older, live in Canada and already be receiving the OAS pension. Your income also has to fall below a certain threshold. For the current benefit year, those income thresholds are:
- $22,272 if you're single, widowed or divorced
- $29,424 combined if your partner also gets full OAS
- $41,184 combined if your partner gets the Allowance
- $53,376 combined if your partner doesn't get OAS or the Allowance
However, you and your partner's OAS, GIS and Allowance payments aren't counted as income for the sake of this benefit.
Depending on your income and situation, you could get up to $1,097.75 a month in GIS payments if you're single or if your partner doesn't receive OAS or the Allowance. If your spouse or partner does get either of those benefits, the maximum drops to $660.78.
And don't forget, that's on top of your regular OAS deposit.
What is the Allowance program?
If you're between 60 and 64 years old and your partner already qualifies for both OAS and GIS, you might be able to get a benefit called the Allowance. This is another non-taxable monthly payment that helps lower-income couples close the gap until both partners are old enough to receive OAS.
In order to qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident, live in Canada and have lived here for at least 10 years since turning 18. You and your spouse or partner also need to have a combined income under $41,184 (however, your partner's OAS and GIS income and other social benefits you're receiving don't count).
The maximum you can get from the Allowance for the current benefit cycle is $1,395.73 per month.
What is the Allowance for the Survivor?
If your spouse or partner has died and you haven't remarried or entered a new common-law relationship, the government offers a separate support payment called the Allowance for the Survivor for widowed Canadians who aren't old enough yet to receive OAS or GIS.
To qualify, you need to be between 60 and 64 years old, live in Canada, and have an annual income under $29,976. You must also have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18.
The maximum payment for this benefit is $1,663.81 per month for the current quarter. That's more than double the maximum standard OAS pension.
Do you have to apply for these benefits?
That depends. If you're already getting Old Age Security and meet the income rules, the federal government might automatically enrol you for the GIS and send you a notice by mail. But in many cases, especially for the Allowance or the Survivor benefit, you'll need to fill out an application yourself.
Applications can be submitted online through your My Service Canada Account. If you prefer to apply with a paper form, here's what to do:
- Fill out the form for GIS or an Allowance
- If applying for an Allowance, you'll also need to fill out a Statement of Income form
- Attach certified copies of the required documents
- Mail your application to Service Canada or drop it off at a Service Canada office
If you haven't heard from Service Canada about OAS after turning 64, it's a good idea to check whether you need to apply.
Can your income affect how much you get?
Yes — and not just last year's income. If you recently retired or your income has dropped, you can let Service Canada know and they might adjust your benefit amounts based on your current situation rather than your past tax return. This could bump up your monthly payments by a lot.
For example, if your income has dropped since last year and you now fall below the GIS threshold, you could qualify for up to $1,097.75 in GIS payments each month — even if you weren't eligible before.
When are the payment dates?
GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor payments are all deposited at the same time as the regular OAS pension. For the rest of 2025, those payment dates are:
- Wednesday, August 27
- Thursday, September 25
- Wednesday, October 29
- Wednesday, November 26
- Monday, December 22
How to calculate OAS benefits
Not sure if you qualify? The federal government has an online OAS benefits calculator tool that can estimate your monthly OAS, GIS and Allowance amounts based on your income and personal details.
You can also contact Service Canada directly or visit a local office to get help with your eligibility and application.
Bottom line
If you're a senior in Canada — or getting close — you'll want to make sure you know all the benefits you're eligible for so you're not leaving any money on the table.
Depending on your income, relationship status and age, you might be able to get over $1,000 extra each month on top of your OAS pension in 2025. And while you normally don't need to apply for OAS, you may not realize you might have to apply for these extras.
Between the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor, these benefits are designed to help Canadian seniors transition through a variety of life changes — and give them a little more breathing room in their budget.
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