In February 2026 low-income seniors all over Canada will get another Guaranteed Income Supplement deposit. For some, monthly payments can be as high as $1,097 depending on their income and marital status.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is one of the most important forms of financial help for older Canadians who don’t have a lot of money. GIS is paid in addition to Old Age Security to help seniors who qualify pay for basic living costs like rent, food, utilities, and medicine.
As February 2026 gets closer, a lot of older people are asking the same things: What day is the payment due? Who is eligible for the most money? Is there anything new for the new year? This in-depth guide explains the entire February 2026 schedule, including who can participate, how much they can pay, and how to make sure your payment gets there on time.
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What is the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?
Low-income seniors who get Old Age Security (OAS) can get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which is a monthly benefit that isn’t taxed. The federal government runs it, and the amount you get depends on how much money you make each year.
GIS benefits are not based on your work history or contributions, unlike Canada Pension Plan benefits. Instead, it is based on your net income from the last tax year. This is why it’s so important for seniors to file their taxes every year, even if they don’t have a lot of taxable income.
Every three months, GIS payments are changed to keep up with inflation. That means that amounts may go up a little bit in January, April, July, and October to keep up with changes in the cost of living.
Date of GIS Payment in February 2026
The GIS payment is expected to be deposited on the same day as the regular federal seniors’ benefits payment in February 2026.
Payment Date Expected in February 2026
The payment is due in the last week of February 2026, usually on February 26 or 27, depending on the official calendar and the bank’s schedule.
If you have direct deposit the money will automatically show up in your bank account on the day of the payment. If you get a paper cheque it may take a few more business days to get to you, depending on where you live.
Payment is coming as part of the regular monthly schedule, not as a one-time extra.
The most you can get for GIS in 2026
The amount of your GIS payment depends on your marital status and how much money you make. For single seniors with very low income, the maximum monthly payment can be as high as $1,097 a month.
Here is a general list of the most GIS you can get each month in early 2026:
Seniors who are single, widowed, or divorced
Depending on how much money you make, you could get up to $1,097 a month.
Married or Common-Law (Spouse Also Gets OAS)
Because the income of the whole household is taken into account, the maximum is lower than for single recipients.
Married or in a common-law relationship (the spouse does not get OAS)
Higher maximum than couples where both get OAS, since only one partner is eligible for OAS.
The exact amounts depend on how much money you made last year. Even small increases in income can lower GIS payments.
How Your Income Affects Your GIS Payment
You have to prove that you have a certain amount of money to get GIS. In other words:
- A higher income lowers the monthly payment.
- Every year, the income limits are changed.
- Only some kinds of income are counted.
What Is Considered Income
When figuring out if someone is eligible for GIS, the government looks at most types of taxable income, such as:
- Payments from the Canada Pension Plan
- Income from work
- Income from investments
- Income from renting
- Pensions from other countries
When figuring out if someone is eligible for GIS, Old Age Security payments don’t count as income.
You can ask for a new assessment if your income changes a lot during the year because you retired, lost a spouse, or for any other reason.
Why It’s Important to File Your Taxes
You have to file your taxes every year to keep getting GIS, even if you don’t make much money.
If you don’t file, you could:
- Stopping payments
- Holds up reassessment
- You won’t be able to get benefits until your records are updated.
Your 2024 tax return will determine if you can get payments in February 2026. Your GIS amount may be affected if your return wasn’t filed or processed.
How GIS Gets Paid
If you qualify and are already getting Old Age Security, GIS will automatically pay you.
Once you are approved, you don’t need to fill out a separate monthly application. Payments are made:
- For most seniors, it’s through direct deposit.
- By check in the mail for people who don’t have direct deposit
The best and fastest way is direct deposit it gets rid of delays caused by mail problems and makes sure that money is available right away on the day of payment.
Changes to the cost of living in 2026
Every three months, GIS payments are checked. Changes happen in:
- January, April, July, and October
If inflation goes up, GIS amounts may go up a little bit. Payments may not change if inflation stays the same.
Payments in February 2026 will show the quarterly adjustment from January 2026, if there is one.
If Your Payment Is Late, What Happens
If your GIS payment doesn’t come on the scheduled date in February:
- Give it at least three business days.
- If you use direct deposit, look at your bank account.
- If you get checks, make sure your mailing address is correct.
- If the payment hasn’t come yet, get in touch with Service Canada.
Most of the time, delays are due to how long it takes banks to process things, not because someone isn’t eligible.
Who Can Get GIS in 2026
To get GIS in February 2026, you need to:
- Be 65 years old or older and get Old Age Security
- Be a legal resident of Canada
- Meet the income requirements
There are also requirements for residency. Most of the time, you have to live in Canada to get GIS, but there are some exceptions for short absences.
Payments may be affected by special situations.
Some things that happen in life can change your GIS amount:
Change in Marital Status
Getting married, getting divorced, or losing a spouse can have a big effect on how much money you make.
Change in Where You Live
Moving into long-term care could change how some benefits are calculated.
Big Drop in Income
You can ask for a reassessment with new income information if your income has gone down since the last tax year.
Quickly reporting changes helps avoid paying too much or too little.
GIS and Other Advantages
GIS works with other programs run by the federal and provincial governments. Getting GIS may also make you eligible for:
- Provincial income help
- Programs that help pay for drugs
- Programs that help with property taxes
- Programs to help with utilities
Because GIS means low income, it often opens up more help at the provincial level.
Is this a one-time bonus?
The GIS payment for February 2026 is part of the normal monthly schedule. It’s not a one-time payment or bonus.
People often talk about special one-time payments. But unless the federal government makes an official announcement, GIS payments will still be made on their regular monthly schedule.
Payment is coming as part of the usual cycle of benefits.
How to Find Out About Your GIS Payment
You can see your payment information by going to:
- Your online account with Service Canada
- Calling Service Canada with questions
- Official benefit statements sent by mail
Your account will show:
- How much you pay each month
- Dates of deposit
- Information about income used for calculations
Checking this often helps make sure it’s correct.
Frequently Asked Questions About GIS Payments in February 2026
Will everyone get $1,097?
No. The $1,097 amount is the most that some single seniors with very low incomes can get. Many people who get benefits get less based on how much they make.
Do I have to apply again every month?
No. Once approved, payments will keep coming as long as you file your taxes every year and stay eligible.
Is GIS subject to taxes?
No, GIS payments are not taxable and don’t need to be reported as income.
Can I get GIS and still work?
Yes, but how much you earn at work may lower your benefits.
Planning for seniors’ money in 2026
As February payments get closer, seniors should think about:
- Looking over monthly budgets
- Confirming that you signed up for direct deposit
- Filing taxes ahead of time
- Keeping an eye on changes in income
The goal of GIS is to provide stability. Planning ahead makes sure you get the most out of the benefit.
Seniors who qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement can get up to $1,097 a month, depending on how much money they make and whether they are married. Payments for February 2026 are planned as part of the normal monthly cycle, with deposits expected in the last week of the month.
The payment is coming. Even though it’s not a one-time bonus, it’s still one of the most important monthly supports for low-income seniors in Canada.
To avoid delays, make sure you file your taxes, update your bank information, and make sure your income information is correct. Keeping up with the news will help your February 2026 GIS payment go through without a hitch.
