Supporting Homeless Seniors Program - Fact Sheet

Supporting Homeless Seniors Program

As part of the Supporting Homeless Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that seniors in Canada receive the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and/or Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits for which they are eligible. There may be vulnerable seniors in our communities—particularly those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and who are incapable of managing their own affairs—who are not receiving the benefits for which they are eligible. For these seniors, third-party administrators act on their behalf to ensure they receive their benefits.

You or your organization can reach out to these vulnerable seniors to become a third-party administrator on their behalf.

What does the Supporting Homeless Seniors Program do?

  • Through the Supporting Homeless Seniors Program, individuals or organizations can manage CPP, OAS and/or GIS benefits on behalf of a senior who is incapable of managing his or her own affairs due to a mental or physical illness or impairment, and who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
  • These individuals or organizations apply for and receive CPP, OAS and/or GIS benefits on behalf of the senior they represent, and then pay out the benefits in the best interest of that person

Who can apply to administer benefits through the Supporting Homeless Seniors Program?

An organization or individual is able to apply, if there is no existing authorized person or agency already appointed under a federal or provincial law to manage a vulnerable senior’s affairs. This includes:

  • qualified individuals (such as a family member, friend, lawyer, social worker)
  • agencies
  • non-profit and registered charitable organizations
  • municipalities

How do I apply to the Supporting Homeless Seniors Program?

In order to apply, please complete and submit the two online forms below, from the Service Canada website:

  1. Certificate of Incapability (ISP-3505);
  2. Whichever of the following applies:

Service Canada will notify you once your application has been assessed.

Contact us

Click: Supporting Homeless Seniors Program: How to act as a third-party administrator
Call: 1-800-277-9914
Visit: Service Canada Centre

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2022-04-20