Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025: If you’re 65 or older and looking for a bit of extra financial support, you’ve probably heard about the Guaranteed Income Supplement, or GIS for short. It’s a lifeline for low-income retirees who are already receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, helping cover essentials like groceries, rent, or medical expenses.
What Is the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025 is a monthly, non-taxable payment from the federal government designed to give low-income seniors a financial boost. It’s part of the Old Age Security (OAS) program, which means you need to be receiving OAS to qualify for Guaranteed Income Supplement December. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), which depends on how much you contributed during your working years, GIS is all about helping those who need it most, regardless of their work history. It’s funded by general government revenues, so you don’t have to pay into it to get it.
Think of Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025 as a safety net for seniors living on a tight budget. Whether you’re single, married, or widowed, the program adjusts payments based on your income and marital status to make sure you’re getting the right support. And because it’s non-taxable, every cent you receive is yours to keep, no strings attached. With the cost of living creeping up, Guaranteed Income Supplement December is a big deal for many Canadians, and it’s reviewed every few months to keep up with inflation.
Payment Dates for December 2025
Let’s get straight to one of the most important questions: when will the Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025 payment hit your bank account in December 2025? If you’ve signed up for direct deposit (and you really should, it’s the fastest way to get paid), your Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025 payment will arrive on the same day as your OAS pension. The two are bundled into one convenient payment.
For December 2025, the payment date is December 22, 2025. This is when you can expect the money to land in your account if you’re enrolled for direct deposit. If you’re still getting a cheque in the mail, it might take a few extra days to arrive, so consider switching to direct deposit to avoid delays. You can set this up through your My Service Canada Account or by calling Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
| Month | Payment Date |
| September | September 25, 2025 |
| October | October 29, 2025 |
| November | November 26, 2025 |
| December | December 22, 2025 |
Payment Amounts: How Much Will You Get?
The amount you receive from Guaranteed Income Supplement December depends on two main things: your income from the previous year and your marital status. The government reviews Guaranteed Income Supplement December amounts four times a year (January, April, July, and October) to adjust for changes in the cost of living, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The good news? Your payments won’t go down if the cost of living drops—they’ll either stay the same or increase.
For December 2025, here are the maximum monthly Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025 amounts:
- Single, widowed, or divorced: Up to $1,086.88 per month if your annual income is less than $21,624.
- Married or common-law, spouse receives full OAS: Up to $654.23 per month per person, with a combined annual income less than $29,136.
- Married or common-law, spouse does not receive OAS: Up to $1,086.88 per month, with a combined annual income less than $52,848.
- If a married or common-law spouse earns less than: $40,800 annually, they are eligible for the Allowance, which is up to $654.23 per month per person.
These amounts are based on your 2024 income (or an estimate of your 2025 income if you’ve had a big change, like retirement). If you earn money from work or self-employment, you can make up to $5,000 without affecting your Guaranteed Income Supplement December , and only 50% of the next $10,000 (up to $15,000 total) is counted against your payments. For example, if you earn $10,000, only $2,500 of that will reduce your GIS (at 50 cents per dollar).
Your OAS pension, Guaranteed Income Supplement December , and any Allowance payments aren’t counted as income for GIS calculations, which is a big relief. However, other income—like CPP, RRSP withdrawals, or private pensions—does count, so keep that in mind when budgeting.
Here’s a table summarizing the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement December amounts and income thresholds for December 2025:
| Your Situation | Maximum Monthly GIS | Maximum Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Single, widowed, or divorced | $1,086.88 | $21,624 |
| Spouse receives full OAS | $654.23 | $29,136 (combined) |
| Spouse does not receive OAS | $1,086.88 | $52,848 (combined) |
| Spouse receives the Allowance | $654.23 | $40,800 (combined) |
Eligibility: Who Can Get GIS?
Not everyone qualifies for Guaranteed Income Supplement December , but the rules are pretty straightforward. To be eligible, you need to check these boxes:
- You must be 65 or older.
- You need to live in Canada and have lived here for at least 10 years since age 18. If you leave Canada for more than six months, your Guaranteed Income Supplement December payments may stop until you return.
- You must be receiving the Old Age Security pension. If you’re not, you’ll need to apply for OAS first.
- Your annual income (or combined income with your spouse or common-law partner) must be below the thresholds listed above. This includes most income sources, like CPP, private pensions, or RRSP withdrawals, but not your OAS, GIS, or Allowance payments.
- You need to be a Canadian citizen or a legal resident. If you’re an immigrant, you can qualify if you’re receiving OAS and meet the income requirements. However, sponsored immigrants who’ve lived in Canada for less than 10 years after age 18 may not be eligible unless their sponsor has died, gone bankrupt, been imprisoned for over six months, or been convicted of abusing them.
If you’ve recently retired or had a drop in income (say, you stopped working or lost a pension), you can ask Service Canada to use an estimate of your current year’s income instead of last year’s tax return. This could boost your Guaranteed Income Supplement December payments if your income is lower now. Just contact Service Canada to request an income estimate form.
How to Check If You Are Getting Guaranteed Income Supplement December ?
Wondering if you’re enrolled in Guaranteed Income Supplement December or curious about the status of your payments? Most people are automatically enrolled for GIS when they start receiving OAS, especially if Service Canada has enough info from your tax returns. You should get a letter the month after you turn 64 letting you know if you’re eligible and when payments will start.
If you didn’t get a letter or you’re not sure about your status, here’s how to check:
1. My Service Canada Account
- Head to canada.ca and log into your My Service Canada Account. If you don’t have one, you can set it up with your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and some personal details.
- Once logged in, go to the “Benefits and Payments” section to see your Guaranteed Income Supplement December status, payment amounts, and upcoming payment dates.
- You can also update your banking info or contact details here to avoid any hiccups.
2. Call Service Canada
- Dial 1-800-277-9914 (toll-free) and have your SIN ready. An agent can confirm whether you’re enrolled, check your payment status, or explain any issues.
- Be prepared for a bit of a wait, as call volumes can be high, especially around payment dates.
3. Visit a Service Canada Office
- If you prefer face-to-face help, pop into your local Service Canada office. Bring your SIN, ID, and any letters you’ve received about OAS or GIS. Staff can check your status and help with any problems.
4. Check Your Tax Return
- When you file your taxes, you’ll get a T4A(OAS) slip that shows your OAS and GIS payments for the year. This can confirm whether you’re receiving GIS. While GIS is non-taxable, you still need to report it on your tax return to check eligibility for other benefits.
What If You Not Getting GIS or Payments Stop?
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, maybe you didn’t get enrolled automatically, or your payments stopped unexpectedly. Here’s what might be going on and how to fix it:
Common Reasons for Not Receiving GIS
- If your income (or combined income with your spouse) is above the thresholds, you won’t qualify. Double-check your tax return or ask Service Canada to use a current-year income estimate if your situation has changed.
- You can’t get GIS without OAS, so make sure you’re enrolled for OAS first.
- GIS eligibility is based on your annual tax return. If you haven’t filed your 2024 taxes by April 30, 2025, your payments could stop or be delayed. File as soon as possible to avoid interruptions.
- GIS stops if you’re out of Canada for more than six months. If you’ve moved back, you’ll need to reapply.
- If Service Canada doesn’t have enough info (like your income or marital status), you may not be enrolled automatically. Contact them to provide the missing details.
What to Do If Payments Stop?
- If your payments stopped because you missed the tax filing deadline, file your 2024 taxes ASAP. You can do this online through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or with a tax professional.
- Call 1-800-277-9914 or visit a Service Canada office to find out why your payments stopped. They’ll let you know if you need to update your info or reapply.
- If you think you were wrongly denied GIS or your payments are incorrect, you can request a review. Write to Service Canada within 90 days of receiving their decision letter, explaining why you disagree. Include any supporting documents, like recent pay stubs or proof of a change in marital status.
Other Benefits You Might Qualify For
If you’re eligible for GIS, you might also qualify for other supports that can make life a bit easier. Here are a few to check out:
- If you’re 60 to 64 and your spouse or common-law partner receives OAS and GIS, you could get up to $1,381.90 per month (2025 amount) if your combined income is less than $40,800.
- If you’re 60 to 64, widowed, and your spouse or partner has passed away, you could get up to $1,647.34 per month if your income is below $29,760. This stops when you turn 65.
- If you live in Ontario and receive OAS and GIS, you could get up to $90 per month in 2025 if your private income is less than $4,320 (single) or $8,640 (couple). Payments are issued around the 25th of each month.
- This tax credit helps low-income individuals and families. If you’re filing taxes to get GIS, you’re likely eligible for this too.
FAQ’s About Guaranteed Income Supplement December 2025
What if my GIS payment does not show up on December 25?
Wait for a day or two, sometimes banks take a bit. If it’s still missing, contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914. Have your SIN handy.
Can I get GIS if I live outside Canada?
Usually no, unless you’ve got a special agreement or short-term absence. You need to be residing in Canada to keep getting it.
What income counts toward the thresholds?
Most stuff like pensions, RRSP withdrawals, or work earnings. But OAS, GIS, workers’ comp, and some others don’t count. Check the full list on the government site.
Is there a way to estimate my GIS amount?
Yes, there is an online estimator tool from Service Canada. Plug in your details for a rough idea.