Apply
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Now available in MSCA: Sign up for Direct Deposit!
Avoid delays in receiving your benefit payments by signing up for direct deposit. It's fast, secure, and convenient.
To update your information in My Service Canada Account (MSCA):
- Call 1‑800‑277‑9914 or visit a Service Canada location to activate your notifications and alerts
- You only need to do this once
- Register and sign in to MSCA
- On your OAS dashboard, select "Profile", then choose "Manage my payment destination"
- Once your change is confirmed, your new banking information will show under "Payment details" on the Profile page.
- Call 1‑800‑277‑9914 or visit a Service Canada location to activate your notifications and alerts
You need to apply for the Allowance benefit.
What to know before you start
Check that you qualify before you begin.
- I qualify
Gather your information
You will need the following:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Information about your spouse or common-law partner:
- Social Insurance Number
- Date of birth
- Foreign income information (types of income and annual amounts in CAD)
- Information about the countries where you have lived since age 18
- Your banking information to sign up for direct deposit
- The date your employment or pension income stopped or was reduced and the new monthly rate, if applicable
How to determine your income
When applying for the Allowance, you and your spouse or common-law partner, must report your income and deductions.
What you must report as income
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) benefits
- Other pension income, such as private pensions, superannuation and foreign pension income (types of income and annual amounts in CAD)
- Withdrawals from your Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
- Employment Insurance benefits
- Interest and other investment income
- Capital gains and taxable Canadian dividends
- Net income from any rental properties
- Net employment or self-employment income
- Other income such as workers' compensation payments
- Some spousal support income
What is exempted as income
- Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor payments
- Retroactive CPP or QPP payments for previous years
- Other benefit and assistance payments, such as municipal, territorial or federal government or universal child care benefits
- Grants, rebates, refunds programs and credits
- Certain war service pensions, retribution payments and ex gratia payments
- Aboriginal people tax –exempt income
- Lottery winnings
- Inheritances
- Tax free savings account (TFSAs)
- CPP death benefit or children’s benefits
- Wage loss replacement benefits paid under a private insurance plan
What can be deducted from your income
- Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan contributions and your Employment Insurance premiums
- Elected pension split income deduction
- Union or other professionals dues
- RRSP, RPP or Saskatchewan pension plan contributions
- moving expenses related to employment and other employment expenses
- Clergy residence deduction
- Deductions to reduce rental income
- Certain child support payments
- Certain spousal support payments
- Attendant care and other disability supports deduction
- Other deductions permitted by CRA
Note: If you are employed or self-employed and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor, you can earn up to $5,000 and still receive the full benefit amount. For earnings between $5,000 and $15,000, your Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor will be reduced by 50 cents for every dollar of income you receive.
Apply online
1. Register for or sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to:
2. Complete this option (if required):
If someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada
You can authorize another person to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf by signing in to your MSCA and selecting the link "Give consent to communicate on my behalf".
This does not give the person consent to:
- apply for benefits on your behalf
- change your payment address
- request or change the withholding of tax
3. Start your application:
- Select "Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits" from the Old Age Security section
- Select "Your benefit(s)" at the top left, then select "Apply for benefits"
- Choose Application for Allowance or Allowance for Survivor
Other ways to apply
By mail or in person
Apply with a paper form
- 1. Print and complete the forms:
- Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008)
- Statement of income for the Renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3026)
- Consult the Information Sheet for Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008A) for information on how to fill your application.
- 2. Choose and complete an option (if required):
If someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada
You can authorize another person to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf by:
This does not give that person consent to:
- apply for benefits on your behalf
- change your payment address
- request or change the withholding of tax
If you are applying on someone's behalf
To act as an administrator for someone who cannot manage their own pension and benefits, you must:
- Have a medical professional complete the Certificate of Incapability OAS/CPP form (ISP-3505)
- Choose and complete the form that applies to you:
- Individual administration
Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by a Private Trustee (ISP-3506) - Agencies, charitable organizations, or municipalities
Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by an Agency or Institution (ISP-3507)
- Individual administration
- Submit the forms
Contact us
If you have general questions about the Allowance or specific questions about your application, contact us.