Income Security Programs

Old Age Security (OAS)

Old Age Security (OAS) pension is based on age, legal status and years of residence in Canada after the age of 18.  There are 2 types - a full and partial pension.  If you have lived in Canada for less than 40 years, you may qualify for a partial pension.  OAS is taxable.  It must be applied for in writing.  OAS may also be paid outside of Canada if certain requirements are met.
Old Age Security website:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/oas/oasoverview.shtml

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is for low-income seniors and is added to the OAS pension.  You must be receiving OAS to receive GIS.  (This makes it very important for people who may only qualify for a partial OAS pension to make sure that they do apply for OAS, even if it is for a small amount.)  GIS is based on income and marital status and is based on combined income if the applicant has a spouse/common-law partner.  It is not taxable but must be applied for in writing.
Guaranteed Income Supplement website:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/pub/oas/gismain.shtml

Allowance

Allowance provides benefits to low-income persons between the ages of 60-64 who are the spouse/common-law partner (of the opposite or same sex) of a person receiving GIS.  It stops at age 65, when the individual must apply for OAS.  It is not taxable, but must be applied for in writing.
Allowance website: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/pub/oas/allowance.shtml

Allowance for the Survivor

Allowance for the Survivor provides benefits to eligible low-income persons between the ages of 60-64 whose spouse/common-law partner (of the opposite or same sex) has died and who has not become the spouse/common-law partner of someone else. It stops at age 65, when the individual must apply for OAS. It is not taxable, but must be applied for in writing.
Allowance for the Survivor website:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/pub/oas/allowsurv.shtml

GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for Survivor may only be paid outside of Canada for the month of departure and for the following 6 months.

Sponsored immigrants with less than 10 years of residence in Canada after the age of 18 are not eligible for the GIS, Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor during the time of sponsorship, except in certain circumstances such as the death of the sponsor.  Non-sponsored immigrants with less than 10 years residence in Canada after age 18 are eligible for prorated GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is an employment-based contributory pension plan.  It is payable outside of Canada.  CPP payments include: retirement pension; disability benefit; survivor benefits; death benefit; and children’s benefit.  Individuals may choose to receive retirement pension (at a reduced amount) starting at age 60-64; at full amount at age 65; or at a higher level between age 65-70.  They must apply in writing for the pension and should do so 6 months before they plan to start receiving benefits.
Canada Pension Plan website:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/cpp/cpptoc.shtml

Social Security Agreements

Social Security Agreements enable persons who have lived or worked in Canada and in another country to qualify for benefits from that country and/or from Canada.  The Canadian benefits included in the agreements are those paid under the Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan.  The benefits from other countries included in the agreements, in the event of retirement, disability and death, vary according to each country's pension program.  For more information on Social Security Agreements between Canada and other countries, visit the website:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/ibfa/intlben.shtml

Income Security Programs (OAS, GIS, CPP, Agreement on Social Security)

Social Development Canada Programs:

Toll-free (in Canada and the United States): 1-800-277-9914
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-255-4786 (note: have your Social Insurance Number ready)

Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)

Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Finance to eligible low-income seniors who receive OAS and GIS.  No application is required for the GAINS benefit.  Once you are receiving OAS and GIS, you will automatically be assessed for eligibility for the GAINS benefit.  Eligibility will be based on information from your (and your spouse’s) prior year income tax return(s).
Guaranteed Annual Income System website:
www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/gains/

Ministry of Finance Information Centre (GAINS)

Toll-free: 1-800-263-7965
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-263-7776

Tax Credits

Ontario property and sales tax credits

Ontario provides property and sales tax relief for eligible individuals through the Ontario property and sales tax credits.  The refundable property tax credit provides property tax assistance for people with low to moderate incomes who own or rent a principle residence in Ontario.  The refundable sales tax credit provides sales tax assistance for people with low to moderate incomes.  Ontario refundable tax credits can be received even if you pay no income tax.  Ontario tax credits can be claimed on Form ON479, Ontario Credits, which is included with the federal income tax and benefit package.

Property Tax Credit

www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/ptc/

Sales Tax Credit

www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/stc/

Ministry of Finance

Toll-free (in Canada and the United States): 1-800-263-7965
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-263-7776

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit

The GST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST that they pay.  You can apply for the credit on your income tax return form.
GST/HST Credit website:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/gsthst/menu-e.html

Individual income tax enquiries

Toll-free (in Canada and the United States): 1-800-959-8281

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Ontario seniors with valid Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) are eligible for drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program on the first day of the month following their 65th birthday.  If prescribed by an authorized Ontario prescriber and dispensed in an Ontario pharmacy, the ODB Program covers most of the cost of over 3,300 drug products listed in the ODB Formulary/Comparative Drug Index including some nutrition products and diabetic testing agents.  ODB eligible people may be asked to pay some portion of their prescription drug product costs. For example, some seniors pay an annual deductible fee of $100 and a dispensing fee of up to $6.11 for ODB-eligible prescriptions.  Low income seniors do not have to pay any deductible but do pay a $2 co-payment towards the dispensing fee per ODB-eligible prescription. Please visit the Ontario Drug Benefit Program website for further information:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/drugs/
funded_drug/fund_odbp.html

INFOline

Toll-free (in Ontario): 1-866-532-3161
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-387-5559

Telehealth Ontario:

Toll-free (in Ontario): 1-866-797-0000
TTY Toll-free: 1-866-797-0007