Visualize how federal and provincial benefit programs connect and interact with each other.
An overview of how federal and provincial retirement benefits are connected and interact.
Use these tools to understand your specific eligibility for retirement benefits and see how benefit amounts change at different ages.
Answer a few questions to see which retirement benefits you may be eligible for, based on your personal situation.
See which benefits become available at different ages and how benefit amounts change if you apply earlier or later.
These are the detailed steps for navigating retirement benefits with key connection points.
Learn about Canada Pension Plan eligibility requirements, contribution periods, and how benefits are calculated. The CPP is a foundation of retirement income for most Canadians. You must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP to qualify.
Decide when to start receiving CPP benefits. You can start as early as age 60 (with a reduction of 0.6% per month, or 7.2% per year), at age 65 (full amount), or as late as age 70 (with an increase of 0.7% per month, or 8.4% per year). This decision should consider your health, finances, and retirement plans.
Apply for Old Age Security or check if you'll receive it automatically. Canadians who have received CPP for at least one year before turning 65 are typically automatically enrolled. OAS provides a monthly benefit to most Canadians 65+, regardless of work history. If you're not automatically enrolled, submit your application up to 11 months before turning 65.
If your income is below $19,464 (single) or $25,728 (couple), check your eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. This tax-free monthly benefit supplements OAS for low-income seniors. Filing your taxes annually automatically has you assessed for GIS eligibility; no separate application needed if you receive OAS.
When filing your income tax return, ensure you claim the Age Credit if you're 65 or older. This non-refundable tax credit can reduce your federal taxes by up to $1,185. The amount is reduced if your net income exceeds $39,826 and eliminated entirely at $92,480. Tax software typically calculates this automatically.
Research provincial supplements available to seniors in your province, such as Ontario's Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) or British Columbia's Senior's Supplement. These provide additional monthly benefits to low-income seniors receiving OAS and GIS. Enrollment is usually automatic once approved for OAS and GIS.
Register for provincial senior health benefits which may include prescription drug coverage, dental care, vision care, and medical equipment. Programs like the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program or BC's Fair PharmaCare provide coverage automatically once you turn 65. Other programs may require separate application.
If you're a homeowner, check if your province offers a property tax deferral program for seniors. These programs allow qualifying seniors to defer all or part of their property taxes until they sell their home or their estate is settled. Interest rates are typically much lower than market rates (e.g., 0.45% in BC, 2.5% in Ontario).
An overview of how federal and provincial disability benefits are connected and interact.
Click on any card for essential information about key disability benefits and programs:
Non-refundable tax credit for persons with disabilities
Monthly payments for CPP contributors with disabilities
Long-term savings plan with government grants
Income and health benefits for Ontario residents with disabilities
Income and health support for BC residents with disabilities
Support for Quebec residents with limited capacity for employment
These are the detailed steps for navigating disability benefits with key connection points.
Consult with a qualified medical professional who can document and certify your disability. This diagnosis is essential for most disability benefits and must describe how your condition affects your daily activities and ability to work. Keep detailed medical records as evidence for your applications.
Complete Form T2201 (Disability Tax Credit Certificate) and have it certified by a qualified medical practitioner. This non-refundable tax credit reduces income tax for persons with disabilities or their supporting family members. The DTC application can take 2-3 months for processing by CRA.
If you've contributed to CPP, apply for CPP Disability Benefits through Service Canada. You must have a severe and prolonged disability preventing substantial gainful work, be under 65, and meet CPP contribution requirements. Application processing typically takes 4-6 months.
Once approved for the DTC, open an RDSP at a participating financial institution. This long-term savings plan allows people with disabilities to save for the future with government matching contributions of up to $3,500 annually through grants and bonds.
Apply for provincial disability support programs like Ontario's ODSP or BC's PWD benefits. These programs provide monthly income support, health benefits, and employment assistance. Application processes vary by province but typically require medical documentation and proof of financial need.
Register for additional health benefits available through your provincial disability program. These typically include prescription drug coverage, dental and vision care, medical supplies, and assistive devices. Most provinces automatically enroll you upon approval for disability support.
Explore housing assistance programs for people with disabilities in your province or municipality. These may include rental subsidies, accessible housing registries, or property tax reductions. Wait lists can be long, so apply early and contact local housing authorities.
Investigate employment programs designed for people with disabilities, such as workplace accommodations, skills training, or self-employment assistance. Programs like the federal Opportunities Fund or provincial employment supports can help with job searches, education costs, and workplace adaptation.
An overview of EI benefits and how they connect with other federal and provincial support programs.
These are the detailed steps for navigating Employment Insurance benefits with key connection points.
Determine if you qualify for Employment Insurance by checking your insurable hours and regional requirements. You need between 420-700 insurable employment hours in the past 52 weeks, with the specific requirement depending on your region's unemployment rate. In regions with high unemployment (over 13%), you may need only 420 hours, while regions with low unemployment (under 6%) require 700 hours. You can use Service Canada's EI calculator to determine your exact eligibility and potential benefit amount.
Ensure your employer submits your Record of Employment (ROE) to Service Canada. Employers must issue an ROE within 5 days of the interruption of earnings or your last pay period. The ROE (Form INS 2106) documents your employment history, including total insurable hours, earnings, and the reason for leaving – which is crucial for determining your eligibility. If your employer submits ROEs electronically, you can view them through your My Service Canada Account. If they provide paper ROEs, you must submit them with your application.
Apply for regular EI benefits if you've lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, shortage of work, seasonal or industry closures). Submit your application online within 4 weeks of your last day of work to avoid potential benefit loss. The application takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. You'll need your Social Insurance Number, banking information for direct deposit, detailed employment history for the last 52 weeks (including employers' names, addresses, dates of employment, and reasons for separation), and a personal access code if using the telephone service.
Determine if you're eligible for special EI benefits, each with their own qualification criteria and benefit periods. Maternity benefits (up to 15 weeks) are available for those who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Parental benefits (standard: up to 40 weeks, extended: up to 69 weeks) are for parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. Sickness benefits (up to 15 weeks) require a medical certificate. Compassionate care benefits (up to 26 weeks) are for those caring for a gravely ill family member. Family caregiver benefits provide up to 35 weeks for a critically ill child or 15 weeks for an adult. You can apply for these benefits up to 12 weeks before you need them to begin, and some can be shared between family members.
Submit your mandatory biweekly EI reports (EI Report Cards) to maintain your benefits. These reports verify your continued eligibility by documenting whether you were available and looking for work each day, any work performed (including self-employment), earnings received, and any other circumstances that might affect your benefits. Reports must be filed during your assigned reporting period – usually Friday to Wednesday following the two-week period they cover. Complete these reports online through My Service Canada Account, using the Internet Reporting Service, or by Telephone Reporting Service using your 4-digit access code. Missing even one report will interrupt your payments and may require you to file a reconsideration request.
Research provincial supplement programs that may be available while you're on EI. Quebec's QPIP provides maternity/parental benefits instead of (not in addition to) EI. Alberta's Training Provider Directory connects EI recipients with approved training opportunities. Ontario's Second Career program offers financial support for EI-eligible workers for retraining. New Brunswick's Workforce Expansion Self-Employment Benefit helps EI recipients start their own businesses. British Columbia's BC Family Benefit provides additional monthly payments to families with children, with higher amounts for those on income assistance or disability. The BC Training and Education Savings Grant provides $1,200 for children's post-secondary education. These programs typically require separate applications directly to provincial agencies.
EI recipients can access several training programs while continuing to receive benefits. The Skills Development Program covers tuition, books, supplies, and transportation costs while maintaining EI benefits for approved full-time training programs (typically 25+ hours weekly). The Skills Boost initiative provides an additional $1,600 in Canada Student Grants for EI-eligible workers returning to school. Apprentice grants offer up to $4,000 for completing apprenticeship programs. Self-Employment Benefit programs help establish businesses while receiving EI. To qualify, you must get approval before starting any training. Apply through your local Service Canada office, WorkBC Employment Services Centre, or provincial employment agency. Training must address labour market needs, lead to sustainable employment, and normally not exceed two years in duration.
The Working While on Claim program helps you transition back to full employment by allowing you to earn income while receiving EI benefits. Under the default rule, you keep 50 cents of your EI benefits for every dollar earned, up to 90% of your previous weekly insurable earnings (the threshold at which benefits are reduced to zero). For example, if your weekly EI benefit is $500 and you earn $300 in a week, $150 will be deducted, leaving you with $350 in EI plus your $300 in earnings for a total of $650. All employment income must be reported in your biweekly reports, including tips, commissions, and self-employment earnings, even if below the threshold. This provision applies to all types of EI benefits. In some cases, the optional rule (allowing you to earn up to $75 or 40% of your benefit rate without deduction) may be more advantageous for very part-time work.
If you're self-employed, you can voluntarily register for the EI Special Benefits for Self-Employed Workers program to access maternity, parental, sickness, caregiving, and compassionate care benefits. Registration requires signing an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission through your My Service Canada Account and paying EI premiums on your self-employment income. After registering, you must wait 12 months before claiming benefits and must have earned at least $7,555 (for 2025) in self-employed income during the calendar year before your claim. Once registered, you'll continue paying premiums until you terminate the agreement in writing. If you've paid into the program and later become traditionally employed, your self-employed and regular employment can be combined to meet qualification requirements.
The Work-Sharing program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs during temporary business downturns by providing EI benefits to supplement reduced wages. Eligible employers must have been in business in Canada for at least two years, demonstrate a recent decline in business activity of approximately 10%, and submit a recovery plan. Eligible employees must be core staff, eligible for EI, and agree to reduced hours. Work-Sharing agreements last from 6 to 26 weeks (with possible extension to 76 weeks during economic downturns) and require a reduction in work hours between 10% and 60%. Employees in the agreement receive EI benefits proportional to their reduced hours. Employers must apply at least 30 days before the requested start date. During the agreement, all members of the Work-Sharing unit must equally reduce their hours, and the employer cannot hire new employees for the affected positions.