provincial · Ontario

GAINS senior top-up

GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income System) is a monthly, non-taxable top-up (extra money that does not add to your taxes) for low-income Ontario seniors. It is paid on top of OAS (Old Age Security) and GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement). The most you can get is $92/month for the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year. You do not need to apply if you already receive OAS and GIS.

Check if I qualify

Verified Aug 22, 2026
provincial program · Ontario

MonthlyMonthly money

At a glance

Worth:: ~$92/mo
Who:: You are 65 or older.
Apply:: Official program page

What it could be worth

Amount

~$92/mo

Maximum: $92/month ($1,104/year) for the benefit year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Private income ceilings to qualify: up to $4,416/year for a single person or $8,832/year for a couple. Different limits apply if your spouse is under 65 or not eligible for OAS.
The amount goes down as your private income goes up (a workplace pension, CPP, bank interest, and so on). Payment tables by age, marital status, and income are published as open data.
To get the maximum, you must have had no private income in 2025 (the base year for the 2026–27 benefit year).

Example: A single senior who receives full OAS and GIS and has $2,000/year in CPP retirement pension is under the $4,416 ceiling. They get a partial GAINS payment on the 25th of each month. The amount is about $50–$90/month, depending on the published income table. A senior with no private income gets the full $92.

How it benefits you

Extra monthly income on top of federal OAS and GIS, up to $92/month. You get the maximum if you had no private income in 2025.
GAINS payments are non-taxable. They do not add to your taxable income.
There is no application if you are already on OAS and GIS. Payments are worked out automatically from your tax return.
Paid on or about the 25th of each month, from July through June of the next benefit year.

What you need to qualify or apply

Eligibility

You are 65 or older.
You have been a Canadian resident for 10 years or more. You have also lived in Ontario for the past 12 months, or for a total of 20 years since age 18.
You receive the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
Your private income is within the ceilings ($4,416 for a single person, $8,832 for a couple).
You file your income tax return every year by April 30 — even with no income to report — or you complete a GIS application with Service Canada.

How to apply

If you already receive OAS and GIS, you do not need to do anything. GAINS is worked out automatically. Just make sure your tax return is filed by April 30 each year.
If you are not yet on OAS or GIS, apply for those federal benefits first through Service Canada. GAINS follows automatically once both are in place.
Set up or manage direct deposit (money paid straight into your bank account) through Service Canada (1-800-277-9914).
Report changes to your private income or marital status. They can change your GAINS payment during the benefit year.
If you disagree with a decision, call the Ministry of Finance (1-866-ONT-TAXS / 668-8297) or file a Notice of Objection within 90 days.

Documents you may need

Your filed annual income tax return (required each year, even with no income).
Your OAS and GIS entitlements (checked automatically through ESDC, Employment and Social Development Canada).