You need to apply for the Old Age Security (OAS) Allowance rather than waiting for automatic enrolment. You can apply online through My Service Canada Account (MSCA) if you meet the online requirements, or submit a paper application by mail. You should apply 6 to 11 months before you turn 60, or as soon as possible if you are already 60 to 64. Before applying, check the OAS Allowance eligibility requirements. The application itself asks for information that Service Canada uses to confirm your entitlement and calculate your payment.
What You Need Before Applying
Gather your Social Insurance Number (SIN), banking information if you want direct deposit, and details about the countries where you have lived since age 18. You will also need your spouse or common-law partner’s SIN, date of birth, and any applicable foreign-income information.
The application also requires you and your spouse or common-law partner to report applicable income and deductions. This can include pension income, Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) withdrawals, Employment Insurance benefits, investment income, capital gains, taxable dividends, rental income, and employment or self-employment income. The current Allowance application instructions provide the complete list of income and deductions used for this purpose.
If employment or pension income recently stopped or decreased, have the date of the change and the new monthly amount available. Providing that information matters because a significant reduction in current income can affect how your benefit is calculated.
How to Apply for the OAS Allowance Online
Online applications go through My Service Canada Account. You can use this method if you live in Canada, have not already submitted an application that is still being processed, and do not have a third party such as a trustee or power of attorney managing your account.
After signing in or creating an MSCA account, open the Old Age Security section of your dashboard. Select “Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits” and follow the application instructions shown there.
The online option is the simplest route when you meet those conditions because you do not need to print and mail the application. Anyone who cannot use the online application can use the paper process instead.
How to Apply by Mail
For a paper application, complete the Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008) and the Statement of Income for the Renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3026). The ISP3008 package also includes an information sheet explaining how to complete the application.
Send the completed forms to the Service Canada address specified for the application. Checking the current mailing instructions before sending the package is worthwhile, especially if you downloaded a form earlier and have kept it for some time.
When Someone Else Is Helping With the Application
Someone can be authorized to communicate with Service Canada about your file by completing the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person (ISP-1603). That authorization allows the person to communicate on your behalf, but it does not allow them to apply for the benefit, change your payment address, or change tax-withholding instructions.
Different requirements apply when someone must actually administer benefits for a person who cannot manage their own affairs. A medical professional must complete the Certificate of Incapability OAS/CPP (ISP-3505), followed by the appropriate trustee or agency agreement. These applications are submitted by mail rather than through the standard online process.
What Happens After You Submit the Application
Service Canada will mail you a letter if more information is required or once a decision has been made. You can also use MSCA to monitor an application, which makes it useful to keep access to your account after submitting online or by mail.
If you realize that information on the application needs to be corrected, deal with it rather than submitting a second application. For help with an existing file, use the OAS contact options to reach Service Canada.
Other Questions About Applying for the OAS Allowance
Can you apply if you have lived or worked outside Canada?
Yes. Time spent in another country does not automatically prevent you from applying. A social security agreement with Canada may help you meet residence requirements in some circumstances, so include your foreign residence information with the application.
What if your spouse has not started receiving OAS?
Your spouse or common-law partner must receive OAS and be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement before you can receive the Allowance. A spouse who has delayed OAS may therefore need to consider the effect on your ability to apply.
Do you use the same application if your spouse or common-law partner has died?
The ISP3008 paper form covers both the Allowance and the separate Allowance for the Survivor. However, the benefits have different eligibility rules. If you are applying because your spouse or common-law partner has died, follow the Allowance for the Survivor requirements rather than the regular Allowance rules.
