Page 129 - A Canuck's Guide to Financial Literacy 2020

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2. A couple both receiving OAS and with a combined annual income less than
$24,576.
3. A couple with only one person receiving OAS and a combined annual income
less than $44,592.
4. A couple with one person receiving the Allowance and a combined annual
income less than $44,592.

Couples Living Apart

As of January 1, 2017, couples who are living apart due to reasons beyond their control
may be eligible to receive higher benefits based on their individual income. In order to
determine eligibility, they must apply in writing by submitting Spouses or Common-law
Partners Living apart for Reasons Beyond their Control

Automatic Enrolment

GIS has a provision where automatic enrolment could occur if you were automatically
enrolled in the OAS pension. You would receive a letter from Service Canada, 1 month
after turning 64. Once qualified, Service Canada will consider you on an annual basis to
determine continued eligibility. Otherwise to be considered for the GIS, you have to apply in
writing using the Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income
Supplement.

Non-Resident Payments

Guaranteed Income Supplement is payable to pensioners residing in Canada. GIS is
payable on a temporary basis for up to 6 months in duration when absent from Canada.

Indexing

GIS benefit amounts and income levels are indexed to the Consumer Price Index every
quarter.

Taxes

Income from OAS is taxable but income from GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for the
Survivor is tax-free.

Stoppage of Payments

Keep in mind that Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments can stop due to the following
reasons.