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Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

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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:

What to know before you start

Gather your information

You will need 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 two 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

Apply online through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). It’s fast, easy and secure.

Apply online

Before you start, confirm that you can apply online

You can only apply online if all the following statements are true:

  • You are at least one month past your 64th birthday
  • You live in Canada
  • You haven’t 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.

Steps to apply using MSCA

  1. Sign in to your MSCA or create an account using the "Apply using MSCA" button
  2. Once signed into MSCA, go to "Old Age Security" section on your MSCA dashboard
  3. Click on "Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits" and follow the instructions 
    You will need to 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 using MSCA

Other way to apply

By mail
Apply with a paper form

1. Choose and complete the form that applies to you:

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:

  1. Have a medical professional complete the Certificate of Incapability OAS/CPP form (ISP-3505)
  2. Choose and complete the form that applies to you:

3. Submit the forms by mail

Tips for applying
  • 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 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

Need help applying for the Guaranteed Income Supplement? Contact us.

Page details

2026-09-01