Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor

FederalSeniorsChecked November 8, 2026

These are monthly payments for low-income people aged 60 to 64. The Allowance is for spouses of GIS recipients, and the Allowance for the Survivor is for widowed people. The Allowance is often called the spousal allowance.

How much

October to December 2026: Allowance up to $1,448.06/month (combined couple income under $42,768); Allowance for the Survivor up to $1,726.18/month (income under $31,152).

When it's paid

Paid monthly, tax-free. Ends at 65, when you move to OAS and GIS.

Who qualifies

Age 60 to 64
Low income (couple or individual)
Allowance: spouse or common-law partner receives GIS
Allowance for the Survivor: spouse or partner has died and you have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship
Living in Canada and lived here at least 10 years after age 18

How to apply

Apply 6 to 11 months before turning 60, or right away if already 60-64
Apply online through My Service Canada Account or by paper form
File taxes every year to keep receiving it
If your spouse dies while you get the Allowance, it switches to the Allowance for the Survivor automatically

What to have ready

Social Insurance Number
Spouse's information or death details
Income details
Residence history

Add to a printable checklist with other benefits

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until 65 and missing years of payments
Not filing taxes
Not reporting a new relationship

Still being confirmed: The separate Allowance for the Survivor page and the residence/no-new-partner rules were not re-read. Check the official page for the latest details.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on November 8, 2026.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)GIS is an extra monthly payment for low-income seniors who get OAS. The less income you have, the more you can get.
Old Age Security (OAS) pensionOAS is a monthly payment for people 65 and older who have lived in Canada long enough. You do not need to have worked to…
CPP survivor's pensionThe survivor's pension pays a monthly amount to the spouse or common-law partner of a CPP contributor who has died. The…
After a deathLife-event checklist

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.