OAS and GIS Together in April 2026: What the Combined Deposit Looks Like
Find out exactly what the combined OAS and GIS deposit looks like in April 2026 — including updated amounts, eligibility rules, and why the April 28 deposit date matters for low-income Canadian seniors.
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While you’re thinking about retirement income security, it’s also worth considering how a life insurance or final expense policy can protect the people you leave behind — so the income you’ve built isn’t just secure for you, but for your family too.
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Final expense insurance — sometimes called burial insurance — is specifically designed for seniors. Coverage amounts are typically modest ($5,000–$25,000), premiums don’t increase after enrollment, and there’s usually no medical exam required. For seniors living on a fixed OAS/GIS income, it can provide peace of mind without straining the monthly budget.
What Is GIS and Who Receives It Alongside OAS?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a non-taxable monthly benefit added to OAS for low-income Canadian seniors. It’s income-tested, meaning the amount you receive decreases as your income (other than OAS and GIS itself) increases.
GIS isn’t automatic — it’s applied for when you apply for OAS, or renewed each year when you file your income tax return. Service Canada uses your prior year’s income to calculate your GIS entitlement for the current benefit period.
💡 Pro Tip: If your income dropped significantly this year — due to retirement, stopping work, or a reduced pension — you can request an early GIS renewal based on your estimated current-year income. Don’t wait for next year’s tax return to see a higher GIS amount if your income has already fallen.
What Does the Combined OAS + GIS Deposit Look Like in April 2026?
| Benefit | Status | Maximum Monthly (April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| OAS (ages 65–74) | Taxable | ~$727.67+ |
| OAS (ages 75+) | Taxable | ~$800.44+ |
| GIS (single) | Non-taxable | ~$1,086.88 |
| GIS (married, both receive OAS) | Non-taxable | ~$654.23 each |
| Combined (single, max OAS + max GIS) | — | ~$1,814.55/month |
These are the maximum amounts. Most GIS recipients receive a partial supplement, depending on their other income sources. The GIS is reduced by 50 cents for every dollar of income above the minimum threshold — so even small amounts of employment or pension income reduce the GIS payment.
How Does the Quarterly Increase Affect GIS?
GIS maximum rates are also indexed quarterly to the CPI, just like OAS. So the April 2026 deposit includes small increases to both the OAS and GIS maximums simultaneously.
However — and this is important — your actual GIS amount for April through June 2026 is based on your 2025 net income. The CPI increase raises the ceiling, but your position within that ceiling depends on last year’s tax return.
If you filed your 2025 taxes and your income was lower than the previous year, your GIS may have increased for the new benefit period (July 2025 through June 2026). If you haven’t filed yet, filing promptly is critical: GIS renewals depend on your tax information, and delays in filing can mean delays in receiving your full supplement.
💡 Pro Tip: GIS is completely non-taxable. This means it doesn’t count toward the OAS clawback threshold, and it doesn’t increase your taxable income. For seniors with minimal other income, the combined OAS + GIS deposit represents real take-home money — not income that will be partially reclaimed at tax time.
What If Only One Spouse Receives OAS?
If you’re in a couple where only one partner receives OAS (perhaps one is under 65 or just applied), the GIS calculation changes. There are specific GIS tiers for:
- Single OAS recipients
- Married/common-law couples where both receive OAS and GIS
- Married/common-law couples where one receives OAS and the partner receives the Allowance benefit (ages 60–64)
- Widows or widowers who receive OAS
- Married/common-law couples where one receives OAS and the partner is not receiving OAS or Allowance
Each of these situations has a different income threshold and maximum supplement amount. Service Canada’s GIS calculation takes your combined household income into account — not just your individual income — so a high-earning spouse can reduce or eliminate your GIS even if your personal income is very low.
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Frequently Asked Questions: OAS and GIS in April 2026
Is GIS deposited on the same day as OAS?
Yes. GIS is combined with your OAS payment into a single monthly deposit. On April 28, 2026, you’ll see one combined amount from Service Canada in your bank account — not separate deposits for OAS and GIS. Your MSCA account shows the breakdown of how much is OAS and how much is GIS if you want to see them separately.
Do I need to reapply for GIS every year?
Not usually. Once enrolled, your GIS renews automatically each year when you file your income tax return. Service Canada uses your tax information to recalculate your entitlement. However, if you’ve stopped filing taxes, or if your income situation changed dramatically, you may need to contact Service Canada directly to ensure your GIS is correctly renewed.
Does receiving GIS affect my eligibility for other benefits?
Receiving GIS doesn’t disqualify you from other provincial or territorial senior benefits. In fact, many provinces and territories offer additional income supplements specifically for seniors who receive GIS. Programs like Ontario’s GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income System) are triggered by GIS eligibility. Check with your province for local supplements you may be entitled to.
Can I receive GIS if I live outside Canada?
No. GIS is only payable while you reside in Canada. If you leave Canada for more than 6 months, your GIS payments stop. OAS can continue to be paid outside Canada in certain circumstances, but GIS requires Canadian residency. This is a key consideration for seniors who spend extended winters abroad.
What happens to GIS if my income goes up significantly this year?
GIS is based on your previous year’s income, so a significant income increase in 2026 won’t affect your GIS until July 2027, when the new benefit period begins. If the increase is substantial — say, from a large RRSP withdrawal or property sale — you could see a major reduction in GIS payments the following year. It’s worth planning large income events with this lag in mind.
Is the GIS increase for April 2026 the same percentage as OAS?
Both OAS and GIS are indexed using the same CPI formula, applied quarterly. The percentage increase is the same for both programs. However, because GIS maximums are higher than OAS in dollar terms, the actual dollar increase to GIS is larger — even at the same percentage — than the OAS increase.
Two Programs, One Deposit — Know Your Full Picture
The April 28 deposit isn’t just about the OAS increase. For the nearly two million Canadians who receive GIS alongside their OAS, it’s a combined benefit that can represent a substantial portion of monthly income.
Understanding how both programs interact — especially how GIS is affected by your tax filing, your household income, and your residency — puts you in a much better position to plan your retirement finances. And knowing that your income is protected now doesn’t hurt when it comes to thinking about protecting your family’s financial future, too.
