The Basics of Guaranteed Income Supplement Program: Understanding Your GIS Benefits
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) program is a government benefit that provides additional income to seniors who are receiving Old Age Security (OAS) and have a low income.
If you're a senior who is eligible for GIS, it's important to understand your benefits and how the program works. Here's a brief overview of the basics of the GIS program:
Eligibility. To be eligible for GIS, you must be a Canadian resident and you must be receiving OAS. You must also have a low income and meet certain other requirements, such as being age 65 or older. You can use the government's GIS eligibility calculator to determine if you are eligible for the program.
How much you can receive. The amount of GIS you can receive depends on your income, your marital status, and other factors. The maximum monthly GIS payment for a single person is $907.30, and the maximum monthly payment for a couple is $1,382.54. You can use the government's GIS payment calculator to estimate how much you can receive.
How to apply. If you think you are eligible for GIS, you can apply online through the government's My Account service, or you can download and print a paper application form and mail it to the government. You will need to provide information about your income, your assets, and other factors.
How you will receive your benefits. If your application for GIS is approved, you will receive your benefits through direct deposit into your bank account. You can choose to receive your benefits on the first day of each month, or you can choose to receive them on the last day of each month.
In conclusion, the GIS program provides additional income to seniors who are receiving OAS and have a low income.
If you're eligible for GIS, you can apply online or by mail, and you can receive your benefits through direct deposit. By understanding your GIS benefits, you can make sure you're getting the support you need to help you make ends meet.