Canada

GIS December 2026 Increase? CRA Confirms Year-End Adjustments

December 3, 2025 - By littlemakerskpl

For low-income seniors across Canada, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is one of the most essential monthly supports. As the end of 2026 approaches—with winter heating bills rising, grocery costs still elevated, and ongoing inflation—millions of seniors want clarity on whether a GIS increase is coming in December 2026, or whether adjustments will only begin in early 2027.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Service Canada have now confirmed the status of year-end GIS adjustments, including:

Whether GIS increases apply to December 2026
How inflation indexing affects GIS
The next confirmed increase date
December payment timelines
Eligibility rules heading into 2027

This guide breaks down everything seniors must know about GIS December 2026 payments and year-end adjustments, written with clarity and easy readability in mind.

⭐ Will GIS Increase in December 2026?

❌ No — GIS will NOT increase in December 2026.

Service Canada has officially confirmed that there is no GIS rate increase applied to the December 2026 payment.

GIS adjustments happen:

✔ Quarterly for OAS

(but GIS is tied to OAS rules and CPI inflation)

✔ Annually each July

(after seniors file their tax returns)

✔ Mid-year for some GIS recipients

(based on reassessed income or special allowable situations)

❗ However, GIS does NOT receive a unique December increase.

The next confirmed GIS rate change will take effect in:

⭐ January 2027 (first OAS/GIS payment of the year)

reflecting quarterly CPI inflation adjustments and updated thresholds.

⭐ GIS December 2026 Deposit Date (Confirmed)

GIS is paid on the same schedule as Old Age Security.

✔ December 2026 GIS Payment Date:

📅 December 22, 2026

This deposit includes:

GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement)
OAS (Old Age Security)
Allowance
Allowance for the Survivor

Payments may arrive early depending on your bank, especially given holiday closures.

⭐ Will December 2026 GIS Arrive Early?

✔ Possibly — depending on your financial institution.

Because the payment date falls close to:

Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Year-end banking closures

Some banks may post deposits:

Late evening December 21, or
Early morning December 22

❌ CRA and Service Canada do NOT release early payments.

Any early arrival is purely due to bank processing.

⭐ Why GIS Does Not Increase in December

GIS increases rely on:

✔ Consumer Price Index (CPI)

adjusted four times per year, but applied to OAS—not directly to GIS.

✔ July Annual Adjustment

based on the most recent year’s tax return.

✔ Quarterly OAS indexing

GIS amounts change ONLY when OAS threshold changes or income factors shift.

Because of this structure:

❗ December is a regular payment month, not an adjustment month.

Even though inflation may still be affecting seniors, the federal schedule remains fixed.

⭐ When Will GIS Increase Next?

The confirmed upcoming increase dates are:

⭐ January 2027:

Quarterly OAS/GIS indexing based on autumn 2026 CPI numbers.

⭐ July 2027:

New GIS amounts calculated using 2026 tax return income.

Seniors will NOT see any increase in:

December 2026
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
June 2027

Until July’s reassessment.

⭐ How Much Is the GIS Payment in December 2026? (Estimated)

GIS amounts depend on:

Whether you are single
Whether you are part of a couple
Whether your spouse receives OAS
Your reported income
Eligibility for Allowance programs

Estimated GIS Maximum Amounts (Late 2026)

Single Seniors:

Up to ~$1,072 per month

Couples (both receiving OAS):

Up to ~$1,071 combined

Couples (only one spouse receiving OAS):

Varies depending on combined income.

Allowance:

Approx $1,350 per month

Allowance for the Survivor:

Approx $1,630 per month

Exact amounts vary and are updated quarterly by Service Canada.

⭐ Who Qualifies for GIS in December 2026?

✔ You must be receiving OAS

✔ You must have low income

✔ You must be a legal resident of Canada

✔ You must have filed your 2025 income taxes

Income Limits (Approx Late 2026)

GIS is reduced for incomes above:

~$20,900 for single seniors
~$27,000–$39,000 for couples

(Exact figures vary depending on spousal OAS status.)

⭐ Why Some Seniors May Receive a Different Amount in December

Even though GIS does not officially increase in December, seniors may still see changes if:

✔ Their income was reassessed

✔ They reported missing income information

✔ Their marital status changed (marriage, widowhood, separation)

✔ They became eligible for Allowance or Survivor benefits

✔ CRA corrected a tax return or recalculated retroactive amounts

These are not December-specific increases but case adjustments.

⭐ Does GIS Increase Automatically Every Year?

✔ Yes, GIS increases automatically in July each year

based on the previous tax year.

✔ OAS increases automatically every quarter

which can indirectly increase GIS due to threshold shifts.

❌ GIS does NOT increase in December.

⭐ Interaction With Other Benefits in December

Many seniors confuse GIS adjustments with other December benefits.

Benefits that DO pay in December 2026:

Benefit	Date
OAS	Dec 22
GIS	Dec 22
CPP	Dec 22
Allowance / Survivor Allowance	Dec 22
Ontario Trillium Benefit	Dec 10
CCB (if caregiving for grandchildren)	Dec 18

❗ Benefits that DO NOT increase or pay in December:

GIS increases
OAS increases
CPP rate increases
GST/HST Credit
Carbon Rebate
CWB Advance

Many seniors mistakenly expect a holiday GIS top-up—but none exists.

⭐ How to Ensure Your GIS Continues Into 2027

To prevent interruptions:

✔ File your taxes on time

🇨🇦 GIS is entirely income-based.

✔ Update marital status promptly

Incorrect status can suspend payments.

✔ Keep direct deposit active

Banks switching in December causes delays.

✔ Respond to CRA/Service Canada letters

Income verification is common for GIS.

✔ Keep address and residency info updated

Especially for snowbirds and seniors who travel.

⭐ Budgeting Tips for Seniors in December 2026

Winter and holiday costs often strain fixed-income seniors. Consider:

✔ Allocating part of December’s OAS/GIS for January bills

✔ Reducing holiday overspending

✔ Applying for provincial heating rebates

✔ Checking eligibility for property tax credits

✔ Reviewing 2027 benefit changes early

⭐ Final Summary — GIS December 2026 Year-End Adjustments

Below is the quick overview:

❌ No GIS increase in December 2026

✔ Next increase: January 2027 (CPI indexed)

✔ Payment Date: December 22, 2026

✔ May arrive early depending on your bank

✔ Eligibility depends on 2025 income taxes

✔ GIS remains unchanged until mid-2027

✔ Only reassessments may change the December amount

Seniors can now confidently plan their December and year-end finances with the confirmed details above.

Meta Title

GIS December 2026: Increase Status & CRA Year-End Adjustments

Meta Description

Will GIS increase in December 2026? CRA confirms no December raise. Learn the payment date, early deposits, eligibility rules, and when the next GIS increase begins.

FAQs — GIS December 2026 Increase

1. Will GIS increase in December 2026?

No. GIS does not increase in December. The next increase is in January 2027.

2. When is the December 2026 GIS payment?

The deposit arrives on December 22, 2026.

3. Why doesn’t GIS increase in December?

GIS adjustments are tied to annual income reviews and quarterly OAS indexing—not December holiday cycles.

4. Could my GIS still change in December?

Yes, but only if CRA reassessed your income, marital status, or eligibility.

5. Does GIS increase automatically each year?

Yes, GIS adjusts annually in July and quarterly through OAS indexing—but not in December.