Searching for Federal Government Social Assistance Programs

COVID-19 Response
Most in person Service Canada Centres are open to the public, to find out if your local Service Canada office is open please visit www.canada.ca. Clients can apply for critical services online. Personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones. Many online services available at Canada.ca/service-canada-home. For assistance accessing services, complete online request at Canada.ca/service-canada-e-service.

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services.

Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security and passports (see separate entries for program details)
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant and others

Student/youth employment services available May-August through Service Canada Centres for Youth -- see separate entry

COVID-19 Offices not open to the public. Contact by phone. Visit website for more information.


Provides services and benefits to meet the health, social and economic needs of veterans, Canadian Forces members, retired members and their dependents. Services include:

• Health services - hearing loss, physical injuries, mental health counselling
• Training, education and job search
• Income support and emergency funding
• Help at home, assistance with at-risk housing situations, death and bereavement
• Benefits for family and caregivers
• Other veterans' groups such as Canadian War Veterans, Allied Veterans, Canadian Merchant Marine, RCMP and Regular Force Veterans may qualify for all or some of the services and benefits

COVID-19 Response
Do not visit Canada Service Centre unless absolutely necessary.
​Assistance with Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), immediate request for a Passport Service, Veterans Affairs Canada Services available online or leave a voice message and someone will return call within 2 business days.

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and referral on Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others.

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory - www.canadabenefits.gc.ca.

COVID-19 Response

• Office open with limited capacity
• clients can apply for critical services online
• personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Labour market information
• Information and referral on Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory - www.canadabenefits.gc.ca.

COVID19 - requested that in-person service be used only if absolutely necessary * fill out service request form for assistance with Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), immediate request for a Passport Service, Veterans Affairs Canada Services - a Service Canada officer will call within 2 business days * limited space due to physical distancing * Service Canada programs and services are available online at Canada.ca/service-canada-home or by telephone at: 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) - TTY: 1-800-926-9105

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• assistance locating and applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant
• internet access

Uxbridge Outreach Site
29 Toronto St, Unit 2

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

COVID-19 (August 17, 2021): We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

Old Age Security (OAS)

Monthly pension to persons 65 or over regardless of income or assets

• must be legal resident of Canada for at least 40 years to receive full pension
• also full pension for persons who were 25 years or older as of July 1, 1977, and who resided in or had a visa to enter Canada that was valid on that date, or who had resided legally in Canada prior to that date and after reaching age 18, and who resided in Canada immediately before approval of the application
• persons who cannot meet the requirements for full pension may earn a partial pension

Old Age Security Identification Card

• Allows OAS recipients who do not use direct deposit to cash their pension cheques
• may be used as proof of age to receive senior discounts from stores, restaurants or other services, but no official standing as identification

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

• Supplement added monthly to Old Age Security for those with limited or no income
• reapply when income taxes are filed
• not payable outside Canada beyond a period of 6 months regardless of how long the person lived in Canada

Allowance

• Monthly allowance for spouses 60-64 years of Old Age Security pensioners receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement
• based on combined income of the couple
• residence requirements
• proof of age required
• reapply when income taxes are filed

Allowance for the Survivor

• Monthly allowance for widowed spouses 60-64 years
• death, marriage and applicant's birth certificate required
• based on limited or no income
• deceased spouse need not have received Old Age Security
• apply when income taxes are filed

Programs of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

Government of Canada income security program information / applications are available at this location and include:

The Canada Pension Plan:

• a monthly benefit available to those who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, must have attained at least sixty years of age and made the necessary application
• if you are 60-64, you must have wholly or substantially ceased work to qualify
• it is advisable to apply 6 months prior to the date you wish the pension to begin

Pension Sharing:

• a method of pension division between married pensioners

Credit Splitting:

• a method of pension division between separated/divorced couples or common-law partners
• for further details contact your local Income Security Program office. This covers cases of divorce, annulment, separation and credit splitting between married or partnered pensioners.

Disability Pension:

• a monthly benefit provided for contributors who have become disabled before reaching 65 years of age
• eligibility is based on the factors of disability and contributions
• disabilities must be both severe and prolonged
• monthly benefits are also available to dependent children (under the age of 18 and children 18 - 25 yrs of age who are in full attendance at school) of the disabled contributor

Lump Sum Death Benefit:

• Canada Pension Plan Contributors qualify their survivors or estate for a Lump Sum Death Benefit
• directly related to the deceased contributor's earnings and contributions

Survivor's Pension:

• provides a monthly pension for survivors of a Canada Pension Plan contributor

Children's Benefit:

• a monthly flat rate benefit is payable on behalf of the deceased or disabled contributor's dependent children.

International Social Security Agreements:

• Reciprocal Social Security Agreements allow portability of social security benefits between countries
• Canada has numerous social security agreements with countries around the world. For a complete listing, contact your Income Security office.

Note: Telephone the toll free number for further information. Telephoning often may save a visit to the office.

COVID-19 (July 27, 2021): We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Internet access
• labour market information
• assistance locating and applying for Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Passports (see separate entries for program details)
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

COVID19 - requested that in-person service be used only if absolutely necessary * fill out service request form for assistance with Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), immediate request for a Passport Service, Veterans Affairs Canada Services - a Service Canada officer will call within 2 business days * limited space due to physical distancing * Service Canada programs and services are available online at Canada.ca/service-canada-home or by telephone at: 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) - TTY: 1-800-926-9105


One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• assistance locating and applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant
• internet access
• seasonal tax preparation assistance through Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

COVID19 -- Travel considerations affecting immigration and refugees:
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html

Information, application forms and assistance on citizenship and immigration programs, including Permanent Resident Card

Administers Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) -- ensures health services for refugees, protected persons and refugee claimants not yet covered by provincial health care

• information for clients, information for health care providers can be found here: www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre

Medical service providers that already accept IFHP:
ifhp-pfsi.medavie.bluecross.ca/en/search-ifhp-providers

Report suspected citizenship fraud -- call the Client Support Centre and follow the options, or email IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

Report suspicious immigration activity -- call the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060

Human trafficking hotline -- 1-833-900-1010

Refugee claims -- forms available on website and may be submitted online

For any application, appointments may be offered at

• 325 Milner Ave, Suite 200, Scarborough
• 3085 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga
• 5343 Dundas St W, Ste 105, Etobicoke

COVID-19 (10 November 2021) - All in person Service Canada Centres are closed to the public until further notice

• clients can apply for critical services online
• personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones

Available public phone and one-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services with internet access

Labour market information

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security, passports
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• Pleasure Craft Licences and others

COVID-19 (July 27, 2021): We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Internet access
• labour market information
• assistance locating and applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

To provide temporary financial assistance following the Ontario Works guidelines to those individuals who are determined to be eligible and to maintain eligibility for assistance and the types of assistance that a delivery agent is required to offer.

The eligibility rules are designed to ensure that employment is the first resort for people in financial need, and that people turn to Ontario Works only when all other resources and opportunities have been exhausted.

Now servicing non-native persons residing in Tyendinaga territory

Benefits Navigator online questionnaire to help determine eligibility for services and benefits

Financial assistance

• income support
• death benefit
• disability benefits
• health care benefits
• caregiver benefit
• prisoner of war compensation
• War Veterans Allowance

Veterans Independence Program
Assistance with the cost of home care services

Last Post Fund
Funeral and burial program, see separate listing

Health, Mental Health and Transition services
Medical, psychosocial, vocational rehabilitation, case management, career counselling and job search assistance, and long term care

VAC Assistance Service
24 hour crisis line and short-term problem solving with mental health professionals

Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (OSISS)
Peer support for those affected by Operational Stress Injury and for their families

Veterans Housing Navigation Team, 416-869-3619
Case management for homeless veterans, partnership with Good Shepherd Ministries (see separate listing)

Helmets to Hardhats
Apprenticeship opportunities in the building and construction trades

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

Service club dedicated to looking after the needs of veterans, their dependents and those serving in the Canadian Forces

• meeting rooms and halls for events
• online store
• charitable foundation hosting various fundraising events and campaigns such as the Poppy

Sponsor of community programs such as:

• sports, youth and seniors programs

Financial assistance to:

• local organizations such as medical centers, medical research and communities affected by natural disasters
• individuals such as educational bursaries, prizes and assistance to hospitalized or homeless veterans

COVID-19 (August 16, 2021): We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and assistance applying for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• passport receiving agent

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory