Accessing My Service Canada Account
Access Key
- What is a Government of Canada Access Key, and why do I need one to access My Service Canada Account?
- What services can I access in My Service Canada Account using my Access Key?
Personal access code (PAC)
- What is a PAC?
- What information will I need to provide in order to receive a PAC?
- Why did I receive a PAC without requesting one?
- Can I get a PAC if I live outside of Canada?
- Can I get a PAC by email?
- I applied for a PAC two weeks ago, but have not received it yet. How do I find out about the status of my request?
- How do I disable my PAC so it can no longer be used?
Employment Insurance (EI) access code
- What is an EI access code?
- What do I do if I lose my EI access code or want to change it?
- Can I get an EI access code if I live outside of Canada?
- What do I do if I did not receive my EI access code in the mail?
1. Why must I provide personal information before accessing some of these services?
To ensure that your personal information is protected and that you have secure access to online information and services through My Service Canada Account, you will need to validate your identity once through Access Key. This is done through the registration and validation process for My Service Canada Account.
There are three steps to register for My Service Canada Account:
- Obtain a personal access code or an EI access code.
- Create an Access Key user ID and password (four steps).
- Validate your identity by providing personal information.
In addition to creating an Access Key and validating your identity with Service Canada, you will also be asked to accept Privacy Notice Statements and Terms and Conditions during registration.
After completing the registration process, you will be able to access your personal information within My Service Canada Account by simply logging in using your Access Key user ID and password.
Access Key
1. What is a Government of Canada Access Key, and why do I need one to access My Service Canada Account?
A Government of Canada Access Key is a fast and convenient way to securely access Government services through the Internet. It consists of a user ID and password that you choose.
We have made your Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security information available to you online through My Service Canada Account. The security and protection of personal information is Service Canada's highest priority when offering services over the Internet. In order to achieve this, we have enhanced our procedures for accessing My Service Canada Account and included the requirement to register for a Government of Canada Access Key.
2. What services can I access in My Service Canada Account using my Access Key?
At this time, you can use your Access Key to log into My Service Canada Account and view or change the following Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security information online:
- Employment Insurance information
- Tax information slips
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
- personal information
You can also access other services available in My Service Canada Account that do not require an Access Key. If you are logged into one of the four secured services using Access Key, select the service you wish to access from the My Service Canada Account home page. Once selected, you will be asked to confirm that you wish to leave your Access Key session. Once you have confirmed, you will be brought to the requested service and advised of the information required to validate your identity to ensure you are the only person who has access to your personal information. You will then be logged into the service and can complete your transactions in a secure and convenient way.
Personal access code (PAC)
1. What is a PAC?
The personal access code (PAC) is a unique seven-character code issued by Service Canada. It is required to validate the identity of first-time users of My Service Canada Account (along with other personal information, and an Access Key user ID and password) and ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal information.
You may apply for a PAC from Service Canada either online or by telephone at 1‑877‑454‑4051. You should receive your PAC by mail within 5 to 10 business days after making your request.
Keep this code private and secure, and save it for future use.
2. What information will I need to provide in order to receive a PAC?
To receive your PAC, you must provide the following information:
- your Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- your first name;
- your last name;
- your date of birth;
- your mother's maiden name; and
- your postal code and address information.
We ask for your postal code and address information to confirm that the information we have for you is accurate. This address is used to mail your PAC to you. If the postal code you provide does not match the postal code we have for you, then for security reasons, we will not mail your PAC.
3. Why did I receive a PAC without requesting one?
We want to make it easier for Canadians to access our programs and services, and we also want you to have more choices in how you access them.
Since March 2008, Service Canada has been sending a letter with a PAC to Canadian residents who applied and were approved for Canada Pension Plan retirement benefits. As of May 2009, this letter has also been sent to Canadian residents whose disability benefits are converted to retirement benefits when they reach age 65. This letter is sent only to new applicants who have not already requested and received a PAC.
4. Can I get a PAC if I live outside of Canada?
Yes, you can get a PAC if you live outside of Canada. You may apply for one from Service Canada online, or by telephone at 1‑877‑454‑4051.
5. Can I get a PAC by email?
No, we currently do not have the capability to receive or send secure email, so we must send you this code by regular mail.
6. I applied for my PAC two weeks ago, but have not received it yet. How do I find out about the status of my request?
You can contact us and speak to one of our agents over the phone.
7. How do I disable my PAC so it can no longer be used?
To disable your PAC, please contact us and speak to one of our agents over the phone.
Once you have disabled your PAC, you will no longer be able to use it.
You must obtain a new PAC if you decide that you want access to your My Service Canada Account. As a security feature, the only way you can obtain a new PAC is to contact us. You will have to use this new PAC to validate your identity with My Service Canada Account (along with other personal information, and an Access Key user ID and password).
Employment Insurance (EI) access code
1. What is an EI access code?
The EI access code is a four-digit code issued by the Employment Insurance Commission and is mailed to you shortly after you apply for EI benefits. It can be found on your first EI Benefit Statement and is used to complete your bi-weekly EI reports. To ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal information, the EI access code is also used to validate your identity the first time you use My Service Canada Account
2. What do I do if I lose my EI access code or want to change it?
Call our telephone information service at 1‑800‑206‑7218 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday) or go to your nearest Service Canada Centre to obtain or change your EI access code.
You will be asked questions to validate your identity before a new EI access code is issued.
3. Can I get an EI access code if I live outside of Canada?
Yes, you will receive an EI access code in the mail after applying for EI benefits.
4. What do I do if I did not receive my EI access code in the mail?
If you did not receive your EI access code in the mail, call our telephone service at 1‑800‑206‑7218 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday). You will be asked questions to validate your identity before a new access code is issued.