How to Apply for the Allowance for the Survivor in Canada at Age 60 to 64
Learn how to apply for the federal Allowance for the Survivor if you are widowed, age 60 to 64 and have low income, including the 2026 income limit, maximum monthly payment, residence rules, forms, online application and what happens at age 65.
CA Canada
Benefits & Support ~ 11 min read
19 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-27
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You may qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor if your spouse or common-law partner has died, you have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship, you are age 60 to 64, live in Canada, are a Canadian citizen or legal resident, have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18, are not currently under a sponsorship agreement and your annual income is below the applicable limit. For July to September 2026, the annual income limit is less than $30,696 and the maximum payment is $1,702.34 per month. You normally need to apply. If your spouse or partner died before you turned 60, Service Canada recommends applying 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday. You can apply online through My Service Canada Account or by mail using Form ISP3008 and the income statement Form ISP3026.
What you need
- You must be 60 to 64 years old.
- Your spouse or common-law partner must have died.
- You must not have remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship since your spouse or partner died.
- You must live in Canada.
- You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident.
- You generally must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. A social security agreement with another country may help you qualify if you have less than 10 years of Canadian residence.
- You must not currently be under a sponsorship agreement, subject to limited exceptions identified by Service Canada.
- Your annual income must be below the applicable Allowance for the Survivor threshold.
- You need information about your deceased spouse or common-law partner, including their Social Insurance Number, date of birth and date of death.
- You need information about the countries where you have lived since age 18.
- You need applicable income, deduction and foreign-income information.
- You need banking information if you want direct deposit.
Eligibility
The Allowance for the Survivor is a federal Old Age Security program benefit for low-income surviving spouses and common-law partners who are age 60 to 64 and not yet eligible for the regular OAS pension.
You may qualify if your spouse or common-law partner has died, you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship, you are 60 to 64, live in Canada, are a Canadian citizen or legal resident, have at least 10 years of residence in Canada since age 18, are not currently under a sponsorship agreement and have annual income below the current threshold.
For July to September 2026, your annual net income must be less than $30,696. The maximum monthly payment is $1,702.34, although the actual amount depends on your income.
If you do not have 10 years of residence in Canada after age 18, you may still qualify for a partial benefit if you lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada.
How to do it
- Confirm that your spouse or common-law partner has died and that you have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship.
- Confirm that you are age 60 to 64, live in Canada and meet the citizenship or legal-residency requirement.
- Check your Canadian residence history since age 18. If you have less than 10 years, determine whether a social security agreement may help you qualify.
- Check the current annual income threshold. For July to September 2026, it is less than $30,696.
- Gather your deceased spouse or partner's SIN, date of birth and date of death, your residence history, income and deduction information, foreign-income details and banking information if you want direct deposit.
- If your spouse or partner died before you turned 60, apply 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday where possible.
- To apply online, sign in to My Service Canada Account, open the Old Age Security section, choose Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits, then Apply for benefits and select Application for Allowance or Allowance for Survivor.
- To apply by mail, complete Form ISP3008 and Form ISP3026. Use ISP3008A for instructions.
- Submit the application and any required supporting information to Service Canada.
- Monitor your application through MSCA. Service Canada will contact you if it needs more information or when a decision is made.
- If approved, review the decision letter for your monthly amount, first payment date and any past payments owed.
- File your income tax return every year so Service Canada can recalculate your entitlement using updated income information.
Who can get the Allowance for the Survivor?
You may qualify for the federal Allowance for the Survivor if you are a low-income surviving spouse or common-law partner who is age 60 to 64.
Service Canada requires all of the following basic conditions:
- your spouse or common-law partner has died;
- you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship;
- you are 60 to 64 years old;
- you live in Canada;
- you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident;
- you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18, unless an international social security agreement helps you qualify;
- you are not currently under a sponsorship agreement, subject to limited exceptions;
- your annual income is below the current Allowance for the Survivor threshold.
How much is the Allowance for the Survivor in 2026?
For July to September 2026, Service Canada lists:
- annual net income must be less than $30,696;
- maximum monthly payment is $1,702.34.
The maximum payment is not guaranteed. Your actual benefit depends on your income.
Is the Allowance for the Survivor taxable?
No. Service Canada states that Allowance for the Survivor payments are not considered taxable income.
Do you have to apply for the Allowance for the Survivor?
Yes, generally. Service Canada states that a surviving spouse or common-law partner age 60 to 64 will have to apply.
There is one important exception for people who were already receiving the regular Allowance when their spouse or common-law partner died. Service Canada states that those recipients are automatically converted to the Allowance for the Survivor.
When should you apply?
If your spouse or common-law partner died before you turned 60, Service Canada recommends applying 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday so payments can begin as soon as possible if you qualify.
The application cannot be submitted earlier than 11 months before your 60th birthday.
If you are already age 60 to 64 and meet the conditions, apply as soon as possible.
How to apply online through My Service Canada Account
You can apply online through My Service Canada Account.
- Register for or sign in to MSCA.
- Open the Old Age Security section.
- Select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits.
- Select Apply for benefits.
- Choose Application for Allowance or Allowance for Survivor.
- Complete and submit the application.
How to apply by mail
For a paper application, Service Canada instructs applicants to complete:
- ISP3008, Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor;
- ISP3026, Statement of Income for the Renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor.
Use ISP3008A for instructions on completing the application.
Submit the completed forms by mail according to the current Service Canada instructions.
What information do you need to apply?
Before starting the application, gather:
- your deceased spouse or common-law partner's Social Insurance Number;
- their date of birth;
- their date of death;
- information about every country where you have lived since age 18;
- your foreign-income information, including the type of income and annual amount in Canadian dollars;
- the date employment or pension income stopped or decreased and the new monthly amount, if applicable;
- your banking information if you want direct deposit.
What income must be reported?
Your Allowance for the Survivor amount is based on income. Service Canada requires you to report applicable income and deductions when applying.
Income can include CPP or QPP benefits, private and foreign pensions and other amounts included under the Old Age Security income rules.
Your benefit is normally recalculated each July using your net income from the previous calendar year.
What if your current income is lower than last year?
Contact Service Canada if your annual income has decreased because you retired or because another pension benefit was reduced or stopped.
Service Canada may be able to calculate your payment using an estimate of your current-year income instead of relying only on the previous year's income.
Can you qualify with less than 10 years of residence in Canada?
Possibly. The normal residence requirement is at least 10 years in Canada after age 18.
If you have less than 10 years but have lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, Service Canada states that you may still qualify for a partial benefit.
Can a sponsored immigrant receive the Allowance for the Survivor?
Generally, you cannot receive the Allowance for the Survivor while you are under a sponsorship agreement.
Service Canada identifies limited exceptions where the sponsor has died, is imprisoned for more than six months, has been convicted of an offence against you or has declared personal bankruptcy.
Sponsorship rules changed effective October 1, 2025. If you are or were sponsored, confirm the current rule for your agreement before applying.
How long does the application take?
Service Canada does not publish a fixed processing time on the current Allowance for the Survivor application page.
After applying, Service Canada will send you a letter if:
- it needs more information; or
- a decision has been made.
You can also monitor the application through My Service Canada Account.
What happens after approval?
Your decision letter will explain:
- the monthly amount you will receive;
- the date of your first payment;
- any past payments that may be owed to you.
The payment amount can change when your income changes or when quarterly OAS benefit rates are adjusted for changes in the cost of living.
How often can the payment amount change?
OAS program benefit rates are reviewed in January, April, July and October.
Amounts can increase when the Consumer Price Index rises and do not decrease solely because the cost of living falls.
Your individual payment can still decrease or stop because of changes in your income or eligibility.
Do you need to file a tax return every year?
You should file your federal income tax return every year because Service Canada uses income information to determine continuing entitlement and recalculate the benefit.
The Allowance for the Survivor is reviewed annually, with benefit amounts generally recalculated each July based on the previous year's income.
What happens if you remarry or become common-law?
You must contact Service Canada if you get married or enter into a new common-law relationship.
The Allowance for the Survivor is specifically for a surviving spouse or partner who has not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship. A new relationship can end eligibility.
What happens when you turn 65?
The Allowance for the Survivor is intended for people age 60 to 64 and does not continue as the same benefit after you reach OAS age.
At age 65, eligibility shifts to the Old Age Security pension and, if your income is low enough and other conditions are met, the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Is this the same as the CPP survivor's pension?
No. The Allowance for the Survivor and the CPP survivor's pension are separate federal benefits.
The Allowance for the Survivor is an income-tested OAS-program benefit for eligible low-income widowed people age 60 to 64.
The CPP survivor's pension is based on the deceased person's Canada Pension Plan contributions and has different eligibility and calculation rules.
Can you receive a CPP survivor's pension and the Allowance for the Survivor?
Receiving CPP or QPP survivor benefits does not make the two programs the same. CPP or QPP pension income is part of the income information relevant to calculating the Allowance for the Survivor.
Your actual entitlement should therefore be calculated using the income reported to Service Canada.
What if you leave Canada?
The Allowance for the Survivor may stop if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months and do not qualify to continue receiving the payment while outside the country.
Service Canada instructs recipients to contact them before leaving Canada for more than six months and again after returning so payments can be handled correctly and overpayments can be avoided.
What changes must be reported to Service Canada?
While receiving the benefit, contact Service Canada if:
- your address or phone number changes;
- you get married;
- you enter into a common-law relationship;
- your income changes;
- you leave Canada for an extended period.
What if you disagree with Service Canada's decision?
You can request a reconsideration of an Allowance for the Survivor decision.
The request must be made within 90 days of receiving your decision letter.
You can request reconsideration through My Service Canada Account or use the applicable Old Age Security reconsideration form.
Allowance for the Survivor application checklist
- Confirm your spouse or common-law partner has died.
- Confirm that you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship.
- Confirm that you are age 60 to 64.
- Confirm that you live in Canada and meet the citizenship or legal-residency requirement.
- Check whether you have at least 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18.
- If not, check whether an international social security agreement may help.
- Check the current annual income threshold.
- Gather your deceased spouse or partner's SIN, birth date and death date.
- Gather your residence and foreign-income information.
- Gather banking information for direct deposit if desired.
- Apply online through MSCA or by mail using ISP3008 and ISP3026.
- Monitor your application and respond promptly if Service Canada requests more information.
- Review your decision letter and payment amount.
- File your tax return annually and report important changes to Service Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the Allowance for the Survivor in Canada?
You may qualify if your spouse or common-law partner has died, you have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship, you are age 60 to 64, live in Canada, are a Canadian citizen or legal resident, meet the residence and sponsorship rules, and have income below the current threshold.
What is the income limit for the Allowance for the Survivor in 2026?
For July to September 2026, your annual net income must be less than $30,696.
How much is the Allowance for the Survivor in 2026?
For July to September 2026, the maximum monthly Allowance for the Survivor is $1,702.34. Your actual payment can be lower depending on your income.
Is the Allowance for the Survivor taxable?
No. Service Canada states that Allowance for the Survivor payments are not taxable income.
When can I apply for the Allowance for the Survivor?
If your spouse or common-law partner died before you turned 60, you can apply 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday. The application cannot be submitted earlier than 11 months before you turn 60.
Can I apply for the Allowance for the Survivor online?
Yes. You can apply through My Service Canada Account under the Old Age Security section by choosing the Application for Allowance or Allowance for Survivor.
What forms do I need to apply by mail?
Use Form ISP3008, Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor, and Form ISP3026, Statement of Income. ISP3008A provides instructions.
What information do I need for the application?
You need your deceased spouse or partner's SIN, date of birth and date of death, your residence history since age 18, relevant income and foreign-income information, and banking information if you want direct deposit.
Can I qualify if I have lived in Canada for less than 10 years?
Possibly. If you have lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, you may qualify for a partial benefit even if you do not have 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18.
Can a sponsored immigrant receive the Allowance for the Survivor?
Generally not while a sponsorship agreement is in effect, although Service Canada identifies limited exceptions involving circumstances such as the sponsor's death, imprisonment, certain convictions or bankruptcy.
How long does the Allowance for the Survivor application take?
Service Canada does not publish a fixed processing time on the current application page. You will receive a letter if more information is needed or once a decision has been made.
Can I check my application status online?
Yes. You can use My Service Canada Account to monitor your Old Age Security benefit application.
What happens if my income has dropped since last year?
Contact Service Canada if your income is lower because you retired or another pension was reduced or stopped. Service Canada may be able to calculate your benefit using estimated current-year income.
What happens if I remarry while receiving the Allowance for the Survivor?
You must tell Service Canada. Eligibility requires that you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship after the death of your spouse or partner.
What happens to the Allowance for the Survivor when I turn 65?
The Allowance for the Survivor is for people age 60 to 64. At age 65, you may instead qualify for Old Age Security and, depending on your income and other conditions, the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Is the Allowance for the Survivor the same as the CPP survivor's pension?
No. The Allowance for the Survivor is an income-tested Old Age Security program benefit for eligible widowed people age 60 to 64. The CPP survivor's pension is based on the deceased contributor's CPP contributions.
Can I receive CPP survivor benefits and the Allowance for the Survivor?
The programs are separate, but CPP or QPP pension income must be considered in the income calculation for the Allowance for the Survivor.
Can I receive the Allowance for the Survivor while outside Canada?
The benefit may stop if you are away from Canada for more than six months and do not qualify to receive it while outside the country. Contact Service Canada before an extended absence.
What can I do if Service Canada denies my application?
You can request reconsideration within 90 days of receiving the decision letter.
Official sources
Allowance for the SurvivorAllowance for the Survivor - Do you qualifyAllowance for the Survivor - How much you could receiveAllowance for the Survivor - ApplyAllowance for the Survivor - After you applyAllowance for the Survivor - Receiving your benefitMaximum Benefit Amounts and Related Figures - July to September 2026Old Age Security payment amountsRequest a reconsideration of an Old Age Security decisionRelated procedures
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