One of the essential things to know when living in Canada is how to access government welfare services.
At the center of it all is Service Canada — your gateway to essential public programs and benefits.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you step-by-step through how to create an online account called My Service Canada Account, which allows you to apply online for key benefits like EI (Employment Insurance), CPP (Canada Pension Plan), and OAS (Old Age Security).
Why You Need a My Service Canada Account
✅ No need to wait in line – apply for services online anytime
✅ Check your application status, payment history, and tax details in one place
✅ One account gives you access to most Canadian government benefits
What You Need Before You Start
Before you create your online Service Canada account, make sure you have the following:
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SIN (Social Insurance Number) – similar to a Social Security Number
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Email address – used for account verification and security alerts
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Personal information – such as your date of birth, home address, and place of birth
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Your Service Canada Account
Step 1: Go to the Official Service Canada Website
🔗 Service Canada Official Site
Canada.ca -> This is the official website provided by the Canadian government for accessing your online account. https://www.canada.ca/
Step 2: Click “Create an Account”
You’ll be given the option to log in using:
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GCKey – the government’s basic login system
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Sign-In Partner – login using your existing online banking account
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Provincial accounts (e.g., BC or Alberta government accounts)
💡 If you have a bank account with a participating institution, using Sign-In Partner can be the easiest way. However, I recently changed my address and phone number, which caused issues, so I opted for GCKey.
Step 3: Create a GCKey Account
Click on “Sign up” under the GCKey section to begin.
Follow the prompts to set your username and password.
After creating your credentials, you’ll be asked to verify your identity.
Since bank verification wasn’t working in my case, I had to request a Personal Access Code (PAC).
🛑 Note: The PAC cannot be issued online. I had to call the Service Canada line at 1-800-277-9914.
📞 I waited for 50 minutes… 😅 (Expected, right?)
✅ But there’s a callback option! You can leave your number and Service Canada will call you back within 2 business days. Much easier!
💡 Go to this site to request a callback:
🔗 eServices Callback Request
📌 I received a callback later that same day from a blocked number (so don’t ignore it!).
My In-Person Visit to Service Canada
Since I also applied online, I visited the Service Canada office in person (in Calgary, Alberta) for quicker assistance:
📍 Harry Hays Building, 220 4 Ave SE #150, Calgary, AB T2G 4X3
Just tell them your purpose — I said I needed a PAC for my online account.
They gave me a ticket, and the entire process took less than 30 minutes! 🎉
I received my PAC on paper and returned home to complete the setup.
Logging In and Finalizing Security
After logging in with my ID and password, I needed to secure my account.
There are three options under “Secure Your Account.”
I chose the Grid method, which requires a bit of effort but is arguably the most secure if you store it properly (I saved it securely on my computer).
✅ Once your Grid Code is issued, your account is fully activated!
Now you can access your My Service Canada Dashboard.
What You Can Do After Creating Your Account
Once your My Service Canada Account is active, you can:
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Apply for and check the status of Employment Insurance (EI)
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Apply for and track Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments
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Apply for and view details of Old Age Security (OAS)
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View your submitted documents and benefit history
This online platform is a game changer for managing your benefits in Canada!
If you found this helpful, follow for more updates and tips about living in Canada 🇨🇦
— Eunice0121
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