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It was created to provide general EI information only.

PACs are used to help verify your identity. You need it to register for MSCA with GCKey. To verify your identity using this option, you must ensure you have received your PAC before registering for MSCA. You will need to enter your PAC when creating your MSCA profile.

Personal Access Code (PAC) is used by Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS) to help validate your identity for My Service Canada Account and to keep your account secure. You may already have a PAC. If you don’t, you can request one and it will be delivered to you by mail. Wait times vary depending on the way you choose to request your PAC.

3 options to request your PAC

1. Online:

You can request a PAC online and receive it by mail within 5 to 10 business days.

You will need:

  • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • your parent’s family name at birth
  • your postal code if you are a Canadian resident or your country of residence if you are a foreign resident

Have your JavaScript enabled. Request your PAC

2. In-Person at Service Canada Centres

You can request a PAC by visiting a Service Canada Office.

You will need:

  • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • your parent’s family name at birth
  • your postal code if you are a Canadian resident or your country of residence if you are a foreign resident
  • a valid (not expired) acceptable proof of identity, such as:
    • Canadian passport
    • certification of Canadian citizenship
    • certification of Indian status
    • certificate of registration of birth abroad
    • driver’s license (provincial or territorial)
    • health card
    • permanent resident card
    • provincial identification card

3. By phone – Pension call centre only

The Service Canada agent will let you know when you can receive your access code. The time frame will vary by case. This service is only available for returning clients of the Canada Pension Plan. Employment Insurance beneficiaries cannot get a PAC by phone.

Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm local time. You can also call this number to check the status of your PAC request or disable your PAC.

You will need:

  • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • answers to various security questions to verify your identity

Saving in the wrong registered account can quietly destroy a low-income worker’s retirement setup. Read our guide on TFSA vs RRSP for Low Income Earners: Avoid the GIS Retirement Trap to discover why RRSP withdrawals trigger a hidden 50% benefit clawback—and how shifting to a TFSA protects your Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits.

Stop wasting money on monthly bank fees and missing out on valuable rewards! Discover how switching to Canada’s top no-fee bank accounts and zero-annual-fee cash-back credit cards can help you keep more money in your pocket. Read our article Best No-Fee Bank Accounts & Cash-Back Cards in Canada (2026 Guide) at Unemployment Canada to start saving today.
 
Discover how to maximize your tax-free government relief with complete CRA details on the newly launched Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). Learn about updated 2026 eligibility rules, enhanced quarterly payout schedules, and maximum income limits. Read our article Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit 2026: Eligibility & Payment Schedule, at taxservicecanada.ca.
 
Never miss an Old Age Security payment by bookmarking our dedicated 2026 OAS Payment Schedule page today. Managing your retirement budget is much easier when you know exactly when your funds will arrive in your account. By saving this link, you’ll have instant, one-click access to the most up-to-date distribution dates and any schedule adjustments throughout the year.

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