Service Canada letter explained in English
Federal benefits office. Handles Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Social Insurance Numbers (SIN).
Letters you may get
- EI decision — whether you get Employment Insurance, and how much
- Notice of debt — you got too much EI or pension and must pay it back
- Request for information — they need answers or papers before they decide
- CPP or OAS letter — your pension, or a decision on your application
What to do
- If you disagree with an EI, CPP or OAS decision, ask for a reconsideration first. For EI you usually have 30 days; for CPP and OAS usually 90 days.
- Open a My Service Canada Account to see your EI, CPP and OAS letters online.
- Find the deadline. Look for “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”). See the template.
Words you may see
- SIN
- Social Insurance Number. Your 9-digit number for work, taxes and benefits.
- EI
- Employment Insurance. Payments for a short time if you lose your job, are sick, have a baby or care for a family member.
- notice of debt
- A letter saying you owe money to the government, for example after an EI overpayment.
- reconsideration
- A request to look at a decision again, for example on EI, CPP or OAS. You must ask for it before you can go to the Social Security Tribunal.
- OAS
- Old Age Security. A monthly pension from age 65. It depends on how many years you lived in Canada after age 18, not on your work.
- CPP
- Canada Pension Plan. A pension based on what you paid in from your work. Quebec has its own plan (QPP).
Questions
What is the Service Canada?
Federal benefits office. Handles Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Social Insurance Numbers (SIN).
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Service Canada?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In Canada, many deadlines count from the date printed on the letter, not from the day it arrives — for example, the 90 days to object to a tax notice. Mail can take several days, so check the date on the letter and act early. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”).
Can I read a Service Canada letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Canada
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) · Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) · ServiceOntario / ICBC / registry office · City or town — property tax department · City bylaw enforcement / parking · Police service / Provincial Offences Court