Apply
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You may need to apply
If Service Canada has enough information, you’ll get a letter shortly after your 64th birthday confirming your Old Age Security (OAS) enrollment and that we’ll try to enroll you for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) automatically. If you’re not enrolled automatically, we’ll send you a letter inviting you to apply.
Didn't get a letter?
If it's been one month since your 64th birthday and you still have not received an enrollment letter, contact us to find out if you need to apply.
You will need to take action if:
- The letter you received contains incorrect information
- You get a letter from Service Canada asking you to apply
- You applied for OAS, but never applied for the GIS
What to know before you start
Check that you qualify before you begin.
- I qualify
Gather your information
Before you begin, please ensure you have the following:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and date of birth
- Information about your spouse or common-law partner if you are married or in a common-law relationship (SIN, date of birth)
- Information about where you have lived since age 18
- Information about a reduction in employment or pension income in the last 2 years
- Information on income earned in another country for you and your spouse/common-law partner (if applicable)
- Your banking information to register for direct deposit
Apply
To start, you can either Apply online or Apply with a paper form.
Apply online
Check that you qualify to apply using the online process
You can only apply online if all the following statements are true:
- You are at least 1 month past your 64th birthday
- You live in Canada
- You have not already applied, or your application is still being assessed by Service Canada
- You don't have a third party (for example, a power of attorney or a trustee) managing your OAS account
If you cannot apply online, you will need to use a paper form.
- 1. Register for or sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to:
Apply - 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 "Manage my benefits" from the Old Age Security section
- Select "Your benefit(s)" at the top left, then select "Apply for benefits"
- Choose the application that applies to your situation
- Application for Old Age Security Pension and Guaranteed Income supplement (if you have not applied for your Old Age Security pension)
- Application for Guaranteed Income Supplement (if you already receive the Old Age Security pension)
Apply with a paper form
- 1. Choose and complete the form that applies to you:
- Applying for both the OAS and GIS
Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (ISP-3550) - Applying for only the GIS
Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Statement of Income (ISP-3025)
- Applying for both the OAS and GIS
- 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:
-
Completing the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603)
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
-
- 3. Submit the forms
Tips for applying with a paper form
- Complete the form included with your letter or download and save a fillable form to your computer (you will need to print and sign it once completed)
- Include certified true copies of the required document(s)
- Sign every section that requires your signature using a pen
- If you need more space, use extra blank paper and attach it to your application
See the Reference Guide (ISP-3550A) for information on filling in your application form.
Contact us
For all general questions about the Guaranteed Income Supplement or specific questions about your application, contact us.