The BC Senior’s Supplement is a small monthly top-up from the B.C. government for low-income seniors who get Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). You don’t apply for it: B.C. works it out from your federal benefits and pays it automatically, on its own payment dates.
How much you’ll get
The amount is based on how much GIS or Allowance you get, which in turn depends on your income apart from OAS and GIS. These are the maximums in B.C.’s rate table updated July 1, 2026:
| Who | Maximum per month |
|---|---|
| Single, widowed or divorced senior | $99.30 |
| Couple, both getting OAS | $220.50 ($110.25 each) |
| Spouse aged 60 to 64 getting the federal Allowance | $99.83 |
You get the full amount if you have almost no income besides OAS and GIS. For a single senior, the supplement drops by $1 a month for every $24 of other yearly income, such as CPP, a work pension or interest. It reaches its lowest amount, $1 a month, at about $2,280 of other income a year.
Example 1: You are single and your only income besides OAS and GIS is $1,000 a year of CPP. B.C.’s table puts your supplement at $58.30 a month.
Example 2: You and your spouse both get OAS and have $2,000 a year of other income combined. You each get $69.25 a month, or $138.50 together.
The table is only a guide: the real amount follows your GIS or Allowance.
Who qualifies
- You live permanently in B.C.
- You get OAS and the GIS, or you are 60 to 64 and get the federal Allowance.
- You have little or no other taxable income.
You can travel outside B.C. for up to six months and keep getting it. It also continues if you move into a long-term care home.
How to get it
You don’t need to apply. The steps are all federal:
- Apply for OAS and the GIS through Service Canada (or the Allowance if you are 60 to 64).
- File your income tax return every year. Service Canada uses it to set your GIS for the next year.
- B.C. starts your supplement one month after your first OAS and GIS payment. It arrives the same way your OAS and GIS do, by direct deposit or cheque.
If your income drops or your marital status changes, tell Service Canada. Your GIS may go up, and B.C. may owe you back payments. To ask for them, send the Senior’s Supplement Program a statement from Service Canada showing your monthly OAS and GIS for each month in question. Any back pay is added to your next payment.
What changed in 2026
- B.C.’s rate table was updated on July 1, 2026. The maximums are $99.30 for a single senior and $220.50 for a couple.
- OAS and GIS rose 1.2% for July to September 2026. The maximum GIS for a single senior is $1,123.17 a month for that quarter.
- The GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026, with a 25% increase.
Payment late, missing or different?
B.C. sets its own payment dates, and they are not the same as the federal OAS and GIS dates. The calendar at the top of this page shows B.C.’s dates.
Allow at least two business days after the payment date before you call. Common reasons for a missing or different payment:
- your GIS changed because your income or marital status changed
- you moved or changed banks, and Service Canada doesn’t have the new details
- you are in your first month of OAS and GIS, and the supplement hasn’t started yet
For the supplement itself, call the Senior’s Supplement Program at 1-866-866-0800, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, or email [email protected]. For your income, address, a move out of B.C. or direct deposit, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for fees, gift cards or passwords by text or email. If someone contacts you about your supplement, hang up and call the numbers above yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: if you get the Senior’s Supplement, check that your GIS is right.
- SAFER: B.C. rent help for renters 60 and older with income under $40,000 a year who spend more than 30% of it on rent. You must reapply every year.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: paid four times a year when you file your taxes.
Common questions
How much is the BC Senior’s Supplement?
Up to $99.30 a month for a single senior and $220.50 for a couple, based on the rate table updated July 1, 2026. Most people get less, depending on their other income.
Do I have to apply for the BC Senior’s Supplement?
No. If you live in B.C. and get OAS and GIS, it starts automatically one month after your first OAS and GIS payment.
Why is my Senior’s Supplement on a different day from my OAS?
B.C. pays it, not the federal government, and B.C. sets its own dates.
Can I get the Senior’s Supplement if I travel?
Yes, for up to six months outside B.C. If you are leaving permanently, tell Service Canada and the Senior’s Supplement Program.
Why did my Senior’s Supplement go down?
It follows your GIS. If your income from the previous year went up, your GIS and your supplement both go down.