Are you in a situation where you need to apply for Employment Insurance? Or maybe you want to take a look at your Canada Pension Plan or you’d like to update your information for your Canada Pension Plan disability and Old Age Security.
Whichever of these you need to access, update, or view, you can do this through your My Service Canada Account.
However, you might not be sure how to get access in the first place. This can be stressful if you need this information for anything.
Fortunately, in this article, we’ll review how you can log in to your My Service Canada Account, as well as how to register and much more.
Finally, you can use your My Canada Service Account and get all the information you need from the Canadian government.
Disclaimer: All, or some of the products featured on this page are from our affiliated partners who may compensate us for actions and or sales completed as a result of the user navigating the links or images within the content. How we present the information may be influenced by that, but it in no way impacts the quality and accuracy of the research we have conducted at the time we published the article. Users may choose to visit the actual company website for more information.
My Service Canada Account or simply MCSA, is a secure online system or portal by the Canadian government that makes it possible for you (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) to access certain information about your government benefits (EI, CPP and OAS) which we’ll cover in the next section below.
What Information Can I Access on MSCA?
The information you can access on your MSCA includes Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security (OAS), and Tax Information. We’ll review each of these in detail now.
Employment Insurance (EI)
If you need to update, view, or apply for Employment Insurance, you can do this through your MSCA. The types of benefits you can receive through Employment Insurance include sickness benefits, maternity and paternal benefits, and benefits for the self-employed.
They also include regular benefits, which are due to you if you’ve lost a job and it wasn’t your fault. Other benefits include fishing benefits, caregiving benefits and leave, and benefits for Canadians living abroad.
You can also get assistance in finding a job, get a security clearance or criminal record check, get a Social Insurance Number, or extend or apply for a work permit.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Are you asking the question, “What information can I access on MSCA?” Well, let’s talk about how you can use it to access your Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This is a taxable, monthly benefit that replaces a portion of your income when you become retired.
In addition to qualifying for this benefit, you also have to apply for it. CPP payments aren't automatic, so if you don’t apply, you won’t receive any of them.
There are additional CPP benefits you might be able to qualify for.
These include the disability pension, the post-retirement benefit, the survivor’s pension, the post-retirement disability benefit, the death benefit, and the children’s benefit.
To apply for any of the benefits you might qualify for, you can access your MCSA account.
Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security (OAS)
The Canada Pension Disability benefit is a payment you can get monthly if you have made enough CPP contributions, are under 65, and you have a physical or mental disability that meets certain requirements.
For example, if the disability makes it difficult for you to do work that is substantially gainful, you would be eligible if you meet the other requirements.
If you have a disability that is of indefinite duration and is long-term—or it could result in your death—then you’re also eligible if you meet the other requirements.
Through your My Service Canada Account, you can also get access to your Old Age Security pension, also known as OAS.
If you’re at least 65 years old, you can receive this monthly payment. Sometimes, you might get enrolled automatically. In other cases, however, you might have to apply for this benefit yourself.
To apply for your Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security (OAS), all you have to do is log in to your My Service Canada Account.
Tax Information
Currently, because of a Systems Maintenance that is occurring, you can’t access the Canada Revenue Agency My Account link that is usually available through your My Service Canada Account. However, you’ll still have access to your OAS/CPP/EI tax slips.
New Users: How to Register for My Service Canada Account
There are three ways you can register for your My Service Canada Account as a new user. These include registering with the GC Key, registering with your bank, and registering with your province. We’ll review each of these in detail now.
Register with the GC Key
The GC Key is an electronic credential that’s unique that the Canadian government issues. To log in using it, you must have a PAC (Personal Access Code) and a GC Key ID. To get started, you first have to request an access code. To do this you’ll need:
If you’re a Canadian resident, your postal code
If you’re a foreign resident, your residence country
Your parent’s family name when you were born
Your SIN (Social Insurance Number)
It will take between 5 and 10 business days for you to receive it by mail. Once you’ve received it, you have to sign up for your GC Key. This will include your username and a password. Finally, you can register for MSCA with your access code, GC Key, and SIN.
Register with Your Bank
Another option is to register with your bank. To do this, you first have to find out whether your bank is a Sign-In Partner that’s verified. If it is, then you need to request an access code from them. This can be either a:
PAC (Personal Access Code), or
An AC (EI Access Code)
This access code will be provided to you through Service Canada. This will also take between 5 and 10 business days to arrive to you by mail. Once you have it, you can register for your MSCA account through your bank by using it.
Register Through Your Province
It’s also possible for you to register through your province, as long as your province is either Alberta or British Columbia. In this case, you won’t need an access code. All you need is your provincial digital ID to get access to your My Service Canada Account.
Existing Users: How to Login for My Service Canada Account
If you’re an existing user, there are three ways you can log into your My Service Canada Account. These include signing in with the GC Key, your bank, and your province. We’ll review each of these ways in detail now.
Sign In with the GC Key
To sign in with the GC Key, you must provide your username and password. You will do this on the My Service Canada Account portal that says “Welcome to GCKey” on the top of the webpage.
Sign In with Your Bank
To sign in with your bank, you need to go to the sign-in area that says “Secure KEY Concierge” at the top of the webpage. Once you’re there, select your bank from the options available. Then, continue to sign in with your bank.
Sign In with Your Province
The third option for signing is to do so with your province. Note, however, that you can only do this if you have a provincial ID available through Alberta. Go to the government website page that says “Sign in/register with your province” and sign in.
What Are Some Other Things I Can Do in MSCA?
Other things you can do in MSCA include Employment Insurance Services, Canada Pension Plan, Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security Services, and Tax Information. We’ll review each of these in detail now.
Employment Insurance Services
The Employment Insurance Services you can access through your MSCA include updating your personal information, getting your tax slip online, viewing your correspondence, viewing your claim status, and getting information in your latest claim. They also include:
Alert Me
Information about previous EI claims
The additional tax that’s been taken off your payments
View your EI report
View your EI payment information
You can also see your SIN that is not displayed in your EI information, apply for EI, use the Internet Reporting Service to complete your CERB and EI reports online, choose your language preference for your written communications, and provide information using eForms.
You can also get paternity/maternity benefits from the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.
Canada Pension Plan, Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security Services
There are also many Canada Pension Plan, Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security Services you can access through your My Service Canada Account. These include applying for your OAS pension and GIS. They also include:
Applying for CPP disability benefits
Applying for your CPP retirement pension
Applying for CPP survivor’s pension
Applying for CPP death benefit
Viewing your estimated CPP benefits
You can also view your application status, access the child-rearing provision, view your payment information, change your banking information, complete an action regarding the federal voluntary tax deduction, change your address, and change your telephone number.
Tax Information
Through your MSCA, you can also get tax information that includes tax information slips within your MSCA account, access regarding technical difficulties, use the link between MSCA and CRA accounts, and have access to CRA resources.
To learn more about the tax information you’ll have access to through your MSCA, learn more now.
How to Avoid Technical Problems in MSCA
To avoid technical problems in MSCA, do the following. Don’t bookmark any secure MSCA pages (these are the pages you see after you’ve signed in) and enable JavaScript and cookies on your browser. Additionally, use one of these web browsers:
13.1.2 version (or newer) of Safari
84 version (or newer) of Google Chrome
85 version (or newer) of Microsoft Edge
68 version (or newer) of Mozilla Firefox
Additionally, if you’re an Apple user, there are one of two operating systems you should use. One of these is version 13 (or newer) of iOS. The other is version 10.15 (or newer) of MacOS. By following these guidelines, you can avoid technical problems in MSCA.
MCSA Contact Information
There are several ways you can contact MCSA, depending on which program you want to get in touch with. These include Social Insurance Number, EI Contact Information, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security. We’ll review each of these in detail now.
Social Insurance Number
You can get in touch regarding Social Insurance Number online, by phone, by mail, and in person. For a more in-depth read on applying for a SIN (if you don't already have one) be sure to also read our guide on the topic. We’ll review each of these now in detail. This way, you can find out which one is the best form of communication for you.
ONLINE
To get in touch online, you can use eServiceCanada. You will get contacted regarding your query at most 2 business days after.
BY PHONE
You can call toll-free at 1-866-274-6627. You can also call Canada TTY at 1-800-926-9105. If you’re outside of Canada, you can call long-distance at 1-506-548-7961. TTY outside of Canada you can call 1-800-926-9105.
BY MAIL
By mail, you can contact MSCA at the following address: Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 700, Bathurst, New Brunswick, E2A 4T1, Canada. You can apply or ask about your SIN record by mail.
IN PERSON
You can go in person to your local Service Canada office by searching based on your address or province. However, because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, you are urged not to visit these offices at this time.
EI Contact Information
You can get in touch with EI Contact Information online, by phone, by mail, and in person. We’ll review each of these now in detail. This way, you can find out which one is the best form of communication for you.
ONLINE
To get in touch online, you can use eServiceCanada. You will get contacted regarding your query at most 2 business days after.
BY PHONE
You can call toll-free at 1-800-206-7218. You can also call Canada TTY at 1-800-529-3742.
BY MAIL
By mail, you can return reports or send supporting documents. The address you will send these reports and supporting documents vary depending on which province you’re based in, so you should visit the government website to learn more.
IN PERSON
You can go in person to your local Service Canada office by searching based on your address or province. However, because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, you are urged not to visit these offices at this time.
Canada Pension Plan
You can get in touch with Canada Pension Plan online, by phone, by mail, and in person. We’ll review each of these now in detail. This way, you can find out which one is the best form of communication for you.
ONLINE
To get in touch online, you can use eServiceCanada. You will get contacted regarding your query at most 2 business days after.
BY PHONE
You can call toll-free from the US and Canada at 1-800-277-9914. You can also call from the US and Canada TTY at 1-800-255-4786. If you are outside of Canada or the US, then you can call collect at 1-613-957-1954.
BY MAIL
By mail, you can contact your closest Service Canada office. If you’re not in Canada, then you can contact a Service Canada office in the province in which you resided last.
IN PERSON
You can go in person to your local Service Canada office by searching based on your address or province. However, because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, you are urged not to visit these offices at this time.
Old Age Security
You can get in touch with Old Age Security online, by phone, by mail, and in person. We’ll review each of these now in detail. This way, you can find out which one is the best form of communication for you.
ONLINE
To get in touch online, you can use eServiceCanada. You will get contacted regarding your query at most 2 business days after.
BY PHONE
You can call toll-free from the US and Canada at 1-800-277-9914. You can also call from the US and Canada TTY at 1-800-255-4786. If you are outside of Canada or the US, then you can call collect at 1-613-957-1954.
BY MAIL
By mail, you can contact your closest Service Canada office. If you’re not in Canada, then you can contact a Service Canada office in the province in which you resided last.
IN PERSON
You can go in person to your local Service Canada office by searching based on your address or province. However, because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, you are urged not to visit these offices at this time.
Need More Information?
Now that you’ve learned about how to login, register, and complete other actions regarding your My Service Canada Account, maybe you need more information. Maybe you want to learn about other ways you can access benefits or financially plan for your future.
At Insurdinary, we can help. We’re a financial comparison platform that helps you plan for your life.
