Apply to get payments from the OAS program
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Question & Answer
What happens to my ODSP when I turn 65?There are different kinds of payments you may be able to get from the Government of Canada’s program.
The OAS pension is a monthly amount that the government pays to people 65 and older who qualify for it. When you apply, you must show that you:
- are a Canadian citizen or legally resident in Canada
- have lived here for a certain number of years that’s never less than 10
The government does not look at your when they decide if you qualify for the OAS pension. But if your income is too high, you might have to pay back all or part of what you get.
The is a monthly amount for people living in Canada who:
- have a low income, and
- get the OAS pension.
Automatically enrolled for the OAS pension
You might get a letter from Service Canada the month after you turn 64 saying that you’ll start to get the OAS pension when you’re 65.
This means that the government has decided that you qualify for the pension. And you don’t need to apply.
Applying for the GIS
To get the GIS, you have to apply for it. Do this 3 months before the day that you turn 65. You have to fill out and send in the Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
You have to apply for the GIS each year. The best way to do this is to send in your income tax return by April 30 each year.
Not automatically enrolled for the OAS pension
You need to apply for the OAS pension if in the month after you turn 64:
- you get a letter from Service Canada saying that you can apply, or
- you don’t get a letter from Service Canada about applying.
If Service Canada writes to say that you can apply, they send you an application form with the letter. Or you can get the form online.
Applying for the GIS
The OAS pension application form asks if you want to apply for the GIS. If you say you do, Service Canada sends you the form to apply.
Or, you can fill out and send in the Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement with your OAS pension application.
Allowance for people 60 to 64 years old
If you qualify for OAS and GIS, your spouse or partner may be able to get an Allowance from OAS. The is for people who are 60 to 64 years old.
They can apply for the Allowance from 6 to 11 months before they turn 60.
