# OAS payments stopped: why Old Age Security or GIS ends and how to restart it

Source: https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-problems/oas-payments-stopped
Publisher: Canada Payment Dates (canadapaymentdates.com), independent editorial site
Topic: Payment Problems
Last updated: 2026-10-13

> OAS payments stopped for one of a few reasons: you did not file last year's tax return (which stops the Guaranteed Income Supplement in July), you were outside Canada for more than 6 months without 20 years of residence, a non-resident OAS Return of Income was not filed, or your income passed the level where the whole pension is recovered. Each has a specific fix.

## Key facts

- Tax filing date to keep GIS: April 30 each year
- Month GIS is reviewed: July
- Absence that can stop OAS and GIS: More than 6 months outside Canada
- Residence needed to keep OAS abroad: 20 years in Canada after age 18
- Income where OAS is fully recovered (October to December 2026): $152,062 (65 to 74), $157,923 (75+)
- Time to ask for a reconsideration: 90 days from the decision letter

## Why did my OAS stop?

When OAS payments stopped completely, rather than arriving late or smaller, Service Canada has usually suspended your file or found you no longer qualify for one of the benefits. Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are separate benefits paid together, so first work out which one stopped. A stopped GIS with OAS still paid points to income or tax filing; a stopped OAS points to residence, a missing return or a closed bank account.

| Cause | Which benefit stops | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2025 tax return not filed by April 30, 2026 | GIS | File the return, or report income directly to Service Canada |
| Away from Canada more than 6 months | GIS; OAS too if under 20 years of residence | Tell Service Canada your return date and confirm residence |
| Non-resident OAS Return of Income not filed | OAS | File the OAS Return of Income with the CRA |
| Net income above the full recovery level | OAS | No fix needed; payments resume when income falls |
| Bank account closed or address out of date | Payment not received, benefit still active | Update details in My Service Canada Account |
| Federal prison sentence of 2 years or more | OAS and GIS | Contact Service Canada on release |

Why Old Age Security stopped and what fixes it

## Why did GIS stop in July? The tax return rule

GIS stopped in July most often because Service Canada did not have your income for the previous year. It reviews every GIS file in July, and it asks recipients to file taxes by April 30 each year to avoid a gap in payments ([Service Canada, GIS while receiving](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/while-receiving.html)). If your 2025 return was not filed, your GIS may stop or be reduced from July 2026.

The fix is to file the missing return as soon as possible, or to report your income directly to Service Canada if you are not required to file. Once your income is known, Service Canada reassesses your entitlement. The July review letter tells you whether payments were renewed, stopped or need more information, so keep it.

> **If your income fell because you retired:** GIS is normally based on last year's income. If you or your spouse have a lower income this year because of retirement or a drop in pension income, Service Canada can estimate your GIS on this year's income instead. Ask when you call, because it can restart a GIS that last year's income had reduced to zero.

A GIS that stopped because your income is now too high is not an error. The current income limits are in our [GIS amount guide](https://canadapaymentdates.com/oas-gis/gis-amount), and our [GIS payment dates page](https://canadapaymentdates.com/oas-gis/gis-payment-dates) shows when a restarted payment would be issued.

## Old Age Security stopped while living or travelling abroad

OAS and GIS may stop if you are away from Canada for more than 6 months and do not qualify to receive payments outside the country ([Service Canada, while receiving OAS](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/while-receiving.html)). You can keep OAS abroad if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18, or if combined time in Canada and a country with a social security agreement reaches 20 years. GIS is different: it may stop after an absence of more than 6 months even when your OAS continues abroad.

Service Canada asks you to call before leaving for more than 6 months and again when you come back. Reporting late can create an overpayment you have to repay, which our [benefit overpayment guide](https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-problems/benefit-overpayment) explains. Our [OAS outside Canada page](https://canadapaymentdates.com/oas-gis/oas-outside-canada) covers the residence rules in detail.

### Non-residents: the OAS Return of Income

If you live outside Canada and receive OAS, you generally must file an OAS Return of Income (OASRI) with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) each year, unless your country is exempt under a tax treaty. The 2025 OASRI was due April 30, 2026. The CRA says filing on time helps make sure Service Canada does not suspend your pension ([CRA, OAS Return of Income](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/old-security-return-income-oasri.html)).

## OAS stopped because of high income

Your OAS stops in practice when the OAS recovery tax equals the whole pension. For October to December 2026, that happens at net income of $152,062 for ages 65 to 74 and $157,923 for age 75 and over ([Service Canada, OAS payment amounts](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html)). Withholding from July 2026 to June 2027 is based on your 2025 income.

This is not a cancellation. You remain on OAS, and payments return automatically once a later year's income drops. If this year's income is much lower, Form T1213(OAS) asks the CRA to reduce the recovery tax withheld now. The full calculation is on our [OAS clawback threshold page](https://canadapaymentdates.com/oas-gis/oas-clawback-threshold).

## Address, banking and marital status changes

A benefit can be active while the money still fails to reach you. Service Canada holds its own banking and address records, separate from the CRA. A deposit to a closed account is rejected, and mail to an old address may be returned. Update both in My Service Canada Account. Our [CRA direct deposit time guide](https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-problems/cra-direct-deposit-time) explains how deposit timing works and what to check when one deposit arrives and another does not.

Marriage, a new common-law relationship, separation or the death of a spouse changes GIS because it is based on combined income. Service Canada must be told directly; updating your marital status with the CRA alone does not update your OAS file. Our [marital status change guide](https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-problems/cra-marital-status-change) covers both agencies.

## How do I get my OAS back?

1. Read the most recent Service Canada letter. It usually names the reason the payment stopped.
2. Sign in to My Service Canada Account and check the OAS and GIS sections separately.
3. If a tax return is missing, file it now. If you do not need to file, report your income directly to Service Canada.
4. If you were abroad, give Service Canada your departure and return dates.
5. If you live outside Canada, file any missing OAS Return of Income with the CRA.
6. Update your bank account, address and marital status with Service Canada.
7. If you disagree with the decision, ask for a reconsideration within 90 days using form ISP-3134 or online in My Service Canada Account.

A reconsideration is reviewed by a Service Canada employee who did not make the original decision, and can take several months ([Service Canada, request a reconsideration](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/request-reconsideration.html)). If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal, which is independent of Service Canada. For payments that are simply missing this month, start with the [benefit payment not received hub](https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-problems).

## Common questions

### Will I get back pay if my GIS stopped because I filed late?

Once your income is assessed, Service Canada recalculates your GIS for the period affected. Contact Service Canada after filing to confirm whether any months will be paid retroactively in your case.

### Does OAS stop when my spouse dies?

No, your own OAS continues. Your GIS changes because it was based on combined income, and you may qualify for a higher single rate. Service Canada should be told as soon as possible to avoid an overpayment on the deceased person's benefits.

### Can I travel for 4 months without my OAS stopping?

Service Canada's rule is about absences of more than 6 months. A shorter trip does not affect OAS or GIS, but you still need your bank account and mailing arrangements in order while away.

### Why did my OAS stop after I turned 65 and started CPP?

Starting CPP does not stop OAS. If OAS never started, check whether you were automatically enrolled or needed to apply, or whether you chose to defer it. If GIS stopped, the new CPP income may have raised your income above the GIS limit.

### How long does it take to restart a stopped GIS?

Service Canada does not publish a fixed time. It depends on when your return is assessed or your income report is processed, so file or report as soon as you notice the stop.

## Sources

- [Guaranteed Income Supplement: Receive your benefits](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/while-receiving.html)
- [Old Age Security: While receiving OAS](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/while-receiving.html)
- [Old Age Security payment amounts](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html)
- [Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/old-security-return-income-oasri.html)
- [Request a reconsideration: Old Age Security](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/request-reconsideration.html)
- [Old Age Security eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/eligibility.html)