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Jacklo

Newbie
Jun 4, 2026
2
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I sponsored my dad in 2010 and came in 2015, he finished 10 years in Canada. He wanted to know if he is eligible for OAS and GIS, he applied and left Canada, he supposed to be back after 5 months, it is been 10 months now and not sure when he will come back, and his GIS was approved and Service Canada started depositing money in his account.

What should we do? Shall we call Service Canada to cancel those payments because he is outside Canada although his home is Canada ?

Shall we withdraw the application and apply again when he comes back? if he withdraws OAS, will it withdraw the GIS with it? I know if we withdraw we need to payback the amounts deposited, will there be any penalties or interest? he is been approved 3 months ago, and we didn't know till he checked online his Canadian bank account and I opened his mail to see what's the story.
 
I sponsored my dad in 2010 and came in 2015, he finished 10 years in Canada. He wanted to know if he is eligible for OAS and GIS, he applied and left Canada, he supposed to be back after 5 months, it is been 10 months now and not sure when he will come back, and his GIS was approved and Service Canada started depositing money in his account.

What should we do? Shall we call Service Canada to cancel those payments because he is outside Canada although his home is Canada ?

Shall we withdraw the application and apply again when he comes back? if he withdraws OAS, will it withdraw the GIS with it? I know if we withdraw we need to payback the amounts deposited, will there be any penalties or interest? he is been approved 3 months ago, and we didn't know till he checked online his Canadian bank account and I opened his mail to see what's the story.

Receiving your payments while living outside Canada​

You can receive OAS payments while living abroad if:

  • You lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18
  • You lived and worked in a country with a social security agreement with Canada, and your combined time in both countries is at least 20 years

Leaving or returning to Canada​

Your Old Age Security (and Guaranteed Income Supplement) may stop if you're away for more than 6 months and don't qualify for receiving your payments while outside Canada.

  • Before you leave Canada for more than 6 months
    • Call us to let us know (This helps prevent overpayments that you may have to repay later.)
  • When you return to Canada after more than 6 months away
We compare information with the Canada Border Service Agency. You could be fined for giving false or misleading information, or purposely omitting information.

Cancel or delay your payments​

Steps for cancelling or delaying your OAS pension:

  • Submit: Submit your request in writing within 6 months of receiving your first payment
  • Repay: Repay any benefits within the next 6 months - if your request is approved
  • Reapply: You may reapply later and may receive a higher pension
 
I sponsored my dad in 2010 and came in 2015, he finished 10 years in Canada. He wanted to know if he is eligible for OAS and GIS, he applied and left Canada, he supposed to be back after 5 months, it is been 10 months now and not sure when he will come back, and his GIS was approved and Service Canada started depositing money in his account.

What should we do? Shall we call Service Canada to cancel those payments because he is outside Canada although his home is Canada ?

Shall we withdraw the application and apply again when he comes back? if he withdraws OAS, will it withdraw the GIS with it? I know if we withdraw we need to payback the amounts deposited, will there be any penalties or interest? he is been approved 3 months ago, and we didn't know till he checked online his Canadian bank account and I opened his mail to see what's the story.

He doesn’t qualify for GIS either so should make sure he is not receiving it and if he has make arrangements to pay it backs. He also should be aware that he may no longer qualify for healthcare in your province due to his absence and will have to reapply when he returns. A valid card does not mean you qualify for healthcare you also must meet the residency obligation in that province. How long you can be out of Canada to still qualify for health coverage varies by province.
 
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He doesn’t qualify for GIS either so should make sure he is not receiving it and if he has make arrangements to pay it backs. He also should be aware that he may no longer qualify for healthcare in your province due to his absence and will have to reapply when he returns. A valid card does not mean you qualify for healthcare you also must meet the residency obligation in that province. How long you can be out of Canada to still qualify for health coverage varies by province.
Sorry but why he does not qualify for GIS if he does have any income and I support my dad and we passed the 10 years sponsorship obligation?

How did Service Canada approve his GIS if he does not qualify then?
 
Sorry but why he does not qualify for GIS if he does have any income and I support my dad and we passed the 10 years sponsorship obligation?

How did Service Canada approve his GIS if he does not qualify then?
They approved it because he did not let Service Canada know that he is outside of Canada. The rules are clear, I copied and pasted them directly from the Federal website.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/b...ncome-supplement/while-receiving.html#wb-cont

Old Age Security (OAS) is a universal, taxable monthly pension for Canadian seniors aged 65 and older. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a non-taxable, additional monthly benefit added to OAS payments exclusively for low-income OAS recipients.