InfoCapsule 4: Why the Social Insurance Number is required
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
Disclaimer: RESP promoters
The information contained on this page is technical in nature. It is intended for Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and Canada Education Savings Program promoters. For general information, visit the RESP page.
On this page
Alternate format
A PDF version of the InfoCapsules for RESP providers is available on the index page.
List of acronyms
- CESG
- Canada Education Savings Grant
- CLB
- Canada Learning Bond
- CRA
- Canada Revenue Agency
- ESDC
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- ESP
- Education Savings Plan
- PCG
- Primary caregiver
- RESP
- Registered Education Savings Plan
- SIN
- Social Insurance Number
- SIR
- Social Insurance Registry
Preface
The subscriber and the beneficiary require a valid social insurance number (SIN) to:
- register an Education Savings Plan (ESP) with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- request the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and the provincial education savings incentives administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
The individual primary caregiver (PCG), or their cohabiting spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) requires a valid SIN to request:
- the additional amount of Canada Education Savings Grant (Additional CESG)
- the CLB for beneficiaries under 18 years old
Note: The PCG information or their cohabiting spouse or common law partner is not needed to apply for the CLB for adult between 18 and 20 years of age.
Legislative requirements
Legislation requires that the beneficiary’s SIN be provided for:
- the administration and payment of education savings incentives
- maintaining accurate records for each beneficiary
- validation of the following 5 beneficiary fields with the Social Insurance Registry (SIR):
- first name
- last name
- date of birth
- gender
- SIN
How to obtain a SIN or a SIN confirmation letter
A SIN or a SIN confirmation letter can be obtained:
- in person: Present the required original documents to a Service Canada office
- to find a Service Canada office closest to you, visit the Service Canada office web page
- online: Visit the Contact Social Insurance Number web page
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