What is GAINS
The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) is a provincial benefit administered by the Ontario Ministry of Finance. It provides a monthly, non-taxable payment to low-income seniors in Ontario.
GAINS is paid to Ontario seniors who already receive the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). It is provided on top of those federal payments.
How much you can receive
According to Ontario.ca, eligible seniors can receive up to $92 per month through GAINS.
The 2026 benefit year runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
The official page states that if you had no private income in 2025, you will receive the maximum amount.
The exact monthly amount depends on your age, marital status, and private income level. The official page provides tables organized by the following categories:
- Ages 65 to 74: Single pensioner
- Ages 65 to 74: Married, both pensioners
- Ages 65 to 74: Married, one pensioner
- Ages 65 to 74: Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
- Ages 75 and over: Single pensioner
- Ages 75 and over: Married, both pensioners
- Ages 75 and over: Married, one pensioner
- Ages 75 and over: Married pensioner, spouse 60-64
Private income may include money from a workplace pension, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), bank interest, and other sources.
Your GAINS payment can change during the benefit year if your private income or marital status changes.
Eligibility
According to Ontario.ca, you qualify for GAINS payments if you:
- Are 65 years or older
- Have been a Canadian resident for 10 years or more
- Have lived in Ontario for the past 12 months or for a total of 20 years since turning age 18
- Receive the federal OAS pension and GIS payments
- Have an annual private income of up to $4,416 if you are a single senior, or up to $8,832 if you are a senior couple
The official page notes that different income limits apply if you are a senior whose spouse is under age 65 or is not eligible to receive OAS.
How to apply
The official page states that if you currently receive OAS and GIS, you do not have to apply for GAINS. Your GAINS payment is determined based on information received from Employment and Social Development Canada and the details on your personal Income Tax and Benefit Return.
To receive your GAINS payment, you must do one of the following:
- File your income tax return every year by April 30, even if you do not have income to report
- Complete a GIS application and send it to your nearest Service Canada office
Payment dates
Payments are issued on or about the 25th day of each month, starting in July and ending in June of the next year.
To sign up for direct deposit of your GAINS payments, visit Service Canada or call 1-800-277-9914.
Objections
If you are not satisfied with a decision regarding your GAINS eligibility or payments, you can contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance:
- Phone: 1-866-ONT-TAXS (668-8297)
- TTY: 1-800-263-7776
If you are still not satisfied, you can complete a formal Notice of Objection form within 90 days from the date the written decision was mailed to you. The official page gives this example: if the decision was mailed on June 1, the Notice of Objection must be received by August 29.
Once completed, send the form by registered mail to:
Ministry of Finance
c/o Director, Advisory, Objections, Appeals and Services Branch
33 King Street West, Post Office Box 699, Station A
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8S6
Other tax credits and benefits
Ontario.ca suggests finding out about other Ontario benefit programs you may be eligible for, or calculating your tax credits. You can also visit the Canada Revenue Agency site for more information on credits and benefits, or call 1-877-627-6645.
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