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Senior’s Supplement

Last updated on July 17, 2023

Overview

The Senior’s Supplement is a provincial top-up to the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payment.  The Senior’s Supplement is paid on a monthly basis to eligible low-income residents of BC who are receiving GIS or the Allowance through the Government of Canada’s Old Age Security program.

 

Policy

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Eligibility

Effective: August 24, 2021

The Senior’s Supplement is a provincial top-up to the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payment. The supplement is paid on a monthly basis.

The Senior’s Supplement is available to eligible low-income residents of BC who receive GIS through the Government of Canada’s Old Age Security (OAS) program. The Senior’s Supplement is also available to eligible low-income residents of BC who are in receipt of the Allowance and are the spouse of a GIS recipient. [see Additional Resources – Senior's Supplement Frequently Asked Questions]

For eligible individuals, the Senior’s Supplement is effective the month following the month the ministry receives notification from federal authorities that the GIS or the Allowance is in effect.

Permanent residents of British Columbia can leave the province for up to six months and continue to be eligible for and receive the Senior’s Supplement during this period.

 

How to Apply

Effective: August 24, 2021

Individuals must apply to Service Canada to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance. Once approved for GIS, low-income seniors receive the Senior’s Supplement automatically provided their GIS rates make them eligible. The Senior’s Supplement is also paid automatically to eligible persons who are a spouse of a GIS recipient and  in receipt of the Allowance.

Seniors do not have to apply for the Senior’s Supplement.

 

Rates

Effective: August 24, 2021

The Government of Canada calculates the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) rates using the income reported on an individual’s taxes the previous year. The Senior’s Supplement rate is then calculated based on the amount of Old Age Security (OAS) and GIS an individual receives. Individuals with no or very low income who receive the maximum GIS rate will receive the maximum Senior’s Supplement rate. As income increases, GIS and Senior’s Supplement payment amounts decrease. Higher incomes correspond with lower amounts of GIS and Senior’s Supplement.

The maximum Senior’s Supplement rate is $99.30 per single senior and $220.50 for senior couples [for information on how the Senior’s Supplement is calculated, see Rate Tables - Senior’s Supplement].

 

Retroactive Payments and Adjustments

Effective: July 1, 2023

Individuals who receive retroactive payments or adjustments to their Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement may have their eligibility for the Senior’s Supplement reassessed  during that retroactive period. Any underpayment or adjustment made to a client file will be automatically added to their following months regular supplement benefit, and a letter will follow to explain the corresponding adjustment.

 

T5007 Tax Slip

Effective: February 27, 2019

[For more information, see Related Links – Individual Case Management – Policy – T5007 Tax Slip.]