Guaranteed Income Supplement – What you need before you start

4. What you need before you start

You can apply for this benefit at various times depending on your situation.

You are already receiving your Old Age Security pension

If you are already receiving an Old Age Security (OAS) pension, you should apply for your GIS as soon as possible so you don't lose any payments (we may be able to give you a retroactive payment for up to a maximum of 11 months from the date we receive your application).

You have not yet applied for your Old Age Security pension

On the Old Age Security (OAS) pension application form, you can indicate your wish to apply for the GIS and we will send you the Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (ISP-3025).

You were unable to apply when you became eligible

If, due to a medical condition, you were unable to apply earlier or to ask someone to apply on your behalf, please contact us to obtain the Declaration of Incapacity form. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, filling out and returning this form may allow you to receive your pension with an earlier start date.

Can someone else contact Service Canada on my behalf?

If you want to authorize a person to give and receive information to Service Canada on your behalf, you will need to print the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP1603OAS), complete it, and mail it to us at the Service Canada office mentioned on the page Returning the form.

This form does not provide authority for the person to apply for benefits on your behalf, change your payment address, or request/change the withholding of tax.

If an individual is incapable of managing his/her own affairs, another person or agency (e.g. a trustee) may be appointed to act on the individual’s behalf. See Supporting Homeless Seniors Program: How to act as a third-party administrator.