GIS Payment Dates 2026
The Guaranteed Income Supplement arrives on the same day as Old Age Security, usually the third-last business day of the month. Here is the 2026 schedule and how to keep it flowing.
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When is the GIS paid?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is paid monthly on the same day as Old Age Security, usually the third-last business day of each month. The next GIS payment is Wednesday 28 October 2026. December's payment normally comes earlier, before the holidays. Confirm each date on the Government of Canada's benefit payment dates page.
GIS payment dates 2026
GIS payment dates for 2026 follow the Old Age Security schedule, because both are paid together in one deposit. The pattern is the third-last business day of the month, with December moved earlier. These dates are worked out from that rule. Always check the Service Canada or Government of Canada benefit payment dates page before relying on one.
| Month | Payment date |
|---|---|
| January | Wednesday 28 January 2026 |
| February | Wednesday 25 February 2026 |
| March | Friday 27 March 2026 |
| April | Tuesday 28 April 2026 |
| May | Wednesday 27 May 2026 |
| June | Friday 26 June 2026 |
| July | Wednesday 29 July 2026 |
| August | Thursday 27 August 2026 |
| September | Friday 25 September 2026 |
| October | Wednesday 28 October 2026 |
| November | Thursday 26 November 2026 |
| December | Usually a few days before Christmas; check Service Canada |
December payments do not follow the usual rule. Service Canada publishes the date each year.
What is the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly, non-taxable payment for Old Age Security pensioners with low income who live in Canada. It sits on top of your OAS pension and arrives in the same deposit.
Two related benefits follow the same payment dates: the Allowance, for low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner receives GIS, and the Allowance for the Survivor, for low-income widowed people aged 60 to 64.
- Age: 65 or older and receiving OAS.
- Residence: living in Canada. GIS stops if you are outside Canada for more than six months in a row.
- Income: below the yearly limit for your situation, based on your previous year's income and your spouse's if you have one.
- Indexing: amounts are reviewed every January, April, July and October to keep pace with the cost of living.
When is GIS paid, and why do the dates move?
GIS is paid on the third-last business day of each month because Service Canada pays all its public pensions together. That day shifts when weekends and statutory holidays fall at the end of the month. In 2026, for example, the September payment moves to Friday 25 September because 30 September, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a federal holiday.
CPP payments land on the same day, so many retirees receive CPP, OAS and GIS within the same few hours. See OAS payment dates and CPP payment dates for the matching schedules.
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How to keep your GIS payments coming
The single most important step is to file an income tax return every year, by the deadline, even if your income is low or zero. Service Canada uses your return to confirm you still qualify and to set the amount for the payment year, which runs from July to June.
- File your tax return by 30 April each year. Our tax filing deadline guide lists the dates.
- Make sure your spouse or common-law partner files too, as their income affects your GIS.
- Set up direct deposit through My Service Canada Account.
- Tell Service Canada about changes in marital status, address or time spent outside Canada.
- Watch for a renewal letter if you did not file on time, and respond quickly.
What to do if your GIS payment is late
Wait three business days after the scheduled date before contacting Service Canada. If you still have nothing, check My Service Canada Account for payment details. A missed payment is most often caused by an unfiled tax return, an old bank account on file, or a move you have not reported.
Budgeting on GIS, OAS and CPP
Because GIS, OAS and CPP usually arrive together near the end of the month, most of your income can land on one day. That makes the first weeks feel flush and the last week feel tight.
A simple fix is to split the deposit into weekly spending amounts the day it arrives. EMOH Pay can set that up as weekly budgets with overspend alerts, and family sharing lets a trusted adult child help without sharing a password. Our retirement budget app page shows how it works, and how much you need to retire in Canada helps with longer-term planning.
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Get started free➜GIS Payment Dates 2026: frequently asked questions
Is GIS paid on the same day as OAS?
Yes. GIS is added to your OAS pension and paid in the same monthly deposit, usually on the third-last business day of the month.
Is the Guaranteed Income Supplement taxable?
No. You report GIS on your tax return, but you deduct it again, so it does not increase your taxable income.
Do I have to apply for GIS every year?
Usually not. If you file your tax return on time each year, Service Canada renews your GIS automatically. If you do not file, you may need to reapply.
Why did my GIS amount change in July?
The GIS payment year starts in July, and your amount is recalculated using your previous year's income. Quarterly indexing can also change the amount in January, April, July and October.
Can I receive GIS if I live outside Canada?
No. GIS stops after you have been outside Canada for more than six months in a row, even if you keep receiving OAS.
Sources and further reading
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