Please be advised that this site is not affiliated with the pension office.
It was created to provide general pension information only.
CPP programs application processing time frame
Canada Pension Plan application: around 2 months
CPP Disability program: around 6-7 months
Death benefit application: around 1 month and half
Survivor’s pension application: around 1 month and half
Survivor children’s benefit application: around 2 months
OAS programs application processing time frame
Old Age Security and GIS combined application: around 2 months
Old Age Security application only: around 2 months
Guaranteed Income Supplement application only: around 3 months
Allowance application: around 3 to 4 months
Statement of Estimate Income form: around 9-10 months
Elsie
January 18, 2022 4:56 pmI am not sure where the data for this is coming from- but in December 2021 Service Canada was indicating they were taking 4 months to process “expedited “ GIS renewals, much longer for ordinary renewals and in my experience that has been consistent throughout 2021
PensionExpert
January 20, 2022 11:03 amTheir processing timeframe is always changing. There are generally a processing delay after every holidays and summer break. You might have receive the 4 month information from their call centre agent, which is an internal memo that we don’t normally see on Canada.ca website. Thank you for sharing!
nee
September 26, 2023 5:15 pmHow to apply OAS and GIS applications by online . 2days ago I submitted my application by mail but I heard if I apply through Online I can get my pension within one month. otherwise I had to wait 120 days. is it true?. if it is possible, can I apply again by Online? If yes, please provide me that website address. Thank you.
PensionExpert
September 26, 2023 9:15 pmHello Nee,
Yes, online application will be quicker to get processed. You must have access to My Service Canada Account before you can file the application. If you need more assistance, you can visit your local Service Canada centre too seek help.
Melyssa
PensionCanada.ca Team
kenneth dale mcbride
March 18, 2022 6:02 pmare the t4s for canada pension and old age pension in the mail? it is now march 15/2022 and i have not received them in the mail. tqhanks ken
PensionExpert
March 20, 2022 12:30 pmHello Kenneth,
If you have not received your mailed T4 CPP/OAS, you can either try to download it through My Service Canada Account or you may contact the Service Canada pension call centre at 1-800-277-9914 to request a replacement copy. While on the phone, you may ask the agent to read out the T4 box numbers so you can have the necessary info to input in your tax filing.
Usually, the end of the week, Thur and Fri, are the best day to contact the pension call centre. Below is the step by step instructions that you can find in our post: https://www.pensioncanada.ca/how-to-easily-speak-to-cpp-oas-call-centre-agent/
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
Thomas
March 30, 2022 12:25 pmHow long does it take to process an application for OAS? I started receiving my CPP in January 2022. I applied for OAS in December 2021, requesting that it commence January 2022. To date I still have not received a cheque. If I made an in-person appointment, would I be able to get my answer? I cannot seem to have any success contacting My Service Canada via phone and when I leave an online message for them to contact me, I am referred to call a toll free number, I always have to wait so long that my phone always dies, without speaking to a representative. Thank you.
PensionExpert
March 30, 2022 4:06 pmHello Thomas,
The normal processing time for an OAS application is about 90 days. Once processed, your first payment will be paid retroactively back to the month after your 65th birthday. Sometimes application might takes longer to process because the OAS processing agent is waiting for your previous year’s tax information to calculate your GIS entitlement. The best thing to do is to call the pension call centre directly for the answer. Thursday and Friday morning are usually the best time to call them. 1-800-277-9914.
Melyssa
PensionCanada.ca Team
Sue
September 18, 2022 2:41 pmI too applied OAS Dec 2021…august 2022 I got letter to send in proof of citizenship, so went to service Canada with every piece of proof I could find on top of citizenship. I still haven’t received any approval confirmation…online service Canada acct has no info on m6 application status at all. So it has been over 9 months and I turn 65 on Oct 1. UNBELIEVABLE
PensionExpert
September 20, 2022 12:03 pmHello Sue,
As far as we know, proof of citizenship is part of the supporting document to get qualify for your pension. The document could be either your citizenship certificate or your Canadian passport. A provincial health card or driver’s license is not an adequate proof unfortunately. I would strongly recomment you to call pension call centre to find out the details.
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
Selena Ng
July 4, 2022 5:54 amHello there! I live in The Netherlands and mailed my OAS application along with many certified copies of Passports, Birth Certificate, Canadian Citizenship Card, US school & work records, etc. on 4/27/2022, 1 month after my 64th Bday. My info included my 15 yr. study & work residency in the US. I’m aware that due to this factor plus I now have lived in The Netherlands for 20 yrs… my application is a bit more complicated as a Non-resident Canadian. But I checked my MSCA lately still no Status showing. Their website says process time is btw 6-12 wks…? I called numerous times, no agent ever answered even after 50 minutes and cost me quite a bit. What is your best estimate that I will be notified by them? Should I just keep calling every few days…I feel so exhausted already. If only MSCA allows Non-resident Canadians to apply OAS online!! Thanks in advance for any info that you can shed some light on . Much appreciated Selena.
PensionExpert
July 7, 2022 12:59 pmHello Selena,
Unfortunately, the MSCA system is only available to pensioners residing in Canada permanently. The normal processing timeframe that you read online applies to applications in Canada. Any application that’s linked to international pension processing will take much longer. The only way now is to follow up directly with the pension office. You may call them for free. Please refer to our post: https://www.pensioncanada.ca/contacting-the-cpp-oas-office-from-oversea/
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
Bruce Warden
July 13, 2022 12:50 amHow often you update the Processing times for OAS/ GIS applications? I applied a month ago. is it still around 2 months?
Thanks
Bruce
Errol Rempel
July 28, 2022 4:55 pmHi there, just some information for readers re: current wait times for processing OAS applications. I’m 67 now, communicated with SC at 64 my desire to defer OAS payments, and then applied in March, 2022 requesting payments to begin in April. It’s July 28 and no communication from SC and no payment yet. Three weeks ago I called SC, endured the hour-long wait time and was told that the ‘normal’ wait time is currently “120 days”. We’re beyond that and no luck talking to a SC representative on the phone today. So, realistically, it looks more like 5 months wait time at present.
Oliver Poon
September 12, 2022 4:24 pmHello Penson Expert,
I applied for OAS/GIS (one application) in April 2022 and have received the approval letter for OAS only at the end of August 2022 and the first OAS payment have been deposited in my account.
Regarding GIS, Letter stated that they have received my application for GIS and I will be contacted shortly about it. Is it a normal practice that they approve OAS first and GIS approval is a bit after OAS approval.? How long does it normally take to receive GIS approval letter one you have revived OAS approval letter?
Thanks
Oliver Poon
PensionExpert
September 16, 2022 9:39 pmHello Oliver,
Yes, GIS is an add-on program that requires additional processing. Lately, the pension office is trying to get all OAS and GIS processed in the same time, but there are times when they are able to get pensionner qualified for OAS first and finalized the GIS application later. Once your GIS is approved, the first payment will be a retro-active payment back to month of August.
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
jeff
October 1, 2022 11:52 amHello
I applied for my OAS and GIS in late Dec 2021. I received a letter in early March 2022 saying I was not able to qualify for the GIS but nothing was said about my OAS application. I had downloaded all the forms for both and sent all the information requested to my Alberta OAS division at the same time, same envelope. Since early March I have sent to letters to my OAS divisional office and have heard nothing back to this date. It is the start of my 10th month of waiting.Don’t really see any sense in spending time to write and send another letter. Is the wait time I’m experiencing unusually longer now and should I expect to wait longer?
Thanks Jeff
PensionExpert
October 1, 2022 1:09 pmHi Jeff,
Do you remember completing the ISP 3041 Statement of Estimated Income form? If so, that might be the reason why it is taking this long to get an answer. I would recommend you contact the pension call centre directly at 1-800-277-9914 and have an agent to look into it for you. If there is a delay in your file, they will be able to help you follow up. This is the only way now.
James
PensionCanada.ca Team
Jeff
October 3, 2022 10:42 amHello James
Thank you for your response. I do not recall filling out the ISP 3041 form. I’ll contact them and see if this is the issue.
Ron
October 12, 2022 3:48 pmHello,
I applied for OAS in May 2022. I turned 65 in June 2022. As of today, 12 Oct. 2022 I have not received any information regarding the status of my application. Is this the normal wait time for this year?
PensionExpert
October 13, 2022 3:53 pmhello Ron,
You must contact pension call centre at 1-800-277-9914 to have dedicated pension call centre agent to help you follow up with your file. Unfortunately, our blogsite can only provide general pension info.
Melyssa
PensionCanada.ca Team
Mike Wychara
November 7, 2022 10:55 amSubmitted my OAS application (no GIS) online on March 29, 2022, requested a July start. My application has been showing as “Complete” since at least mid-June. Have already been receiving CCP since I was 65, so they have all my personal information. Never worked or resided anywhere else except Ontario, so they have 48 consecutive years of my income totals and tax calculations. Now into my eighth month of waiting for my OAS payment to start. Didn’t realize it was this difficult.
PensionExpert
November 7, 2022 9:55 pmHello Mike,
If you are experiencing any delay in your payment, I strongly advise you to call pension call centre to find out the reason. Sometimes the OAP benefit has been calculated but it is the GIS that’s delaying the payment. You need to speak to their call centre agent to find out the reason.
Melyssa
PensionCanada.ca Team
Mike Wychara
November 18, 2022 12:20 pmHi Melyssa,
Thanks for your response, but I never applied for the GIS, so the OAS calculation and start of payments should have been a simple process. Will have to phone in and see what’s happening.
Thanks,
Mike
Jess
June 1, 2023 7:33 pmI applied in January of 2023 and now it is June 1st 2023 and I have not got my first OAS deposit yet. It will pass the 150 days waiting mark on June 4th. Service Canada told me if I don’t get it by then to call them and escalate my case.
PensionExpert
June 8, 2023 5:52 pmHi Jess,
Yes, in this situation, you must call pension call centre to follow up.
John T.
PensionCanada.ca Team
Vivian
June 24, 2023 10:28 amI applied March 22, 2023. I called yesterday and they said they are taking about 120 – 150 days. I expect I will get it in August. That is a 5 month waiting time.
PensionExpert
June 28, 2023 4:45 pmHello Vivian,
Yes, depending on the application, some could take up to over six month processing time. The good news is that when the file is finalized, the first payment will cover all the retroactive payments. To follow on the status of your claim you may either call or check through MSCA.
John T
PensionCanada.ca Team
Amy
September 25, 2023 5:17 pmHi,
Does MSCA show any status before Approved? I applied mine online in March 28, 2023. I kept checking online but it always say “they haven’t received application”. When I applied online, website told me application was received. When will it show any updates?
PensionExpert
September 26, 2023 4:14 pmHello Amy,
Many people have realized that the message indicated on MSCA does not reflect the processing status properly. I would recommend you to give a call directly to pension call centre to find out the status of the application. If there is any missing information or documents, the agent on the phone will be able to assist you right away.
John T.
PensionCanada.ca Team
Ravi Bhatia
June 27, 2023 5:17 pmDear Sir / Madam
My parents (Age 78 years, Age 73 years) in Canada 11 years 7 months and OAS pension / GIS application was submitted 1 year 7 months ago. till date no pension. Let me know.
Thank you
Ravi Bhatia
PensionExpert
June 28, 2023 4:46 pmHello Ravi,
You must contact the pension call centre to find out about the status of their application.
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
Joan
July 2, 2023 9:40 pmReally poor service when you have to call in to get things moving along. What is the number for the Minister that supervises these folks. My friend (who I communicated on her behalf) was told they recieved both CPP and OAS applications on Dec 6th 2022. We started calling in May 2023. Person on the phone was very nice, said. “Oh my gosh over 150 days”. He keyed in some stuff and OAS came at 163 days. CPP finally after another call at 193 days. Person on the phone said you should see it completed on My service Canada site in 2 days and we did the next morning. Why do these phone calls have to be made?…it is so crazy slow.
Jules
July 12, 2023 10:29 pmHi,
I applied for AOS/GIS on June 2nd. Then I sent the required notarized documents 0n June 28th.
When I check my application status online – I am informed that they have no record of my application. Is that normal?
Thanks
PensionExpert
July 14, 2023 9:15 pmHello Jules,
It is recommended to verify the status of your application by speaking directly to the call centre agent. Information showing on MSCA is usually delayed!
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team
Jules
July 14, 2023 10:17 pmThanks
Sue M
August 6, 2023 6:12 pmLike the CPP retroactive initial deposit, do you know if Service Canada makes a separate deposit after the OAS is approved? Or, do I need to wait until the general OAS deposit at the end of the month?
PensionExpert
August 7, 2023 4:07 pmHello Sue,
It depends on the situation, sometimes the monthly OAS/GIS payment will come first and the retro payment will be issued separately. Please call pension call centre directly to find out.
John T.
PensionCanada.ca Team
Leyla
September 11, 2023 3:08 amHello ,
I currently receive OAS for the last 4 years and recently have become eligible for GIS . They sent me a letter asking for some information which I sent back to them back in April and still have not heard anything back since . Do you think it’s time for me to call them or should I perhaps wait a bit longer ? Please advise . Thank you
PensionExpert
September 13, 2023 9:19 pmYes, you should call the Pension call centre back to find out the status.
Aaron
PensionCanada.ca Team