Do I qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor?
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The Allowance for the Survivor is a tax-free monthly payment for people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner has died. It depends on your age, where you live, your years in Canada and your income. It does not start on its own: you must apply.
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Has your spouse or common-law partner died?
A spouse is a person you were married to. A common-law partner is a person you lived with in a marriage-like relationship.
How old are you?
Were you getting the Allowance when your spouse or partner died?
The Allowance is a payment for people 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner gets OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
Since the death, have you married again or started living with a new partner?
Do you live in Canada?
Since your 18th birthday, how many years in total have you lived in Canada?
Add up all the time you lived in Canada after age 18, even if it was in separate periods.
Have you lived or worked in another country?
Did you come to Canada as a sponsored immigrant, and is the sponsorship still in effect?
Most people answer No. A sponsorship is a written promise by a relative to support you for a set number of years.
Was your income in 2025 under $31,152?
Do not count OAS. You can leave out the first $5,000 you earned from a job or self-employment, and half of what you earned between $5,000 and $15,000. Count CPP, survivor's pensions, workplace pensions, RRSP or RRIF withdrawals and interest.
We cannot tell from your answers
Check the Allowance instead.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is only for people whose spouse or partner has died. If you are 60 to 64 and your spouse or partner gets OAS and the GIS, you may qualify for the Allowance.
What to do next
- Run our Allowance check.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
We cannot tell from your answers
Ask Service Canada about your situation.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is for a surviving spouse or common-law partner. Our guide does not cover how a separation or divorce before the death affects it, so Service Canada needs to decide.
What to do next
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and explain when you separated and when your former spouse or partner died.
- Have your separation or divorce papers and the date of death ready.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
Not yet. The Allowance for the Survivor starts at 60.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is only for people aged 60 to 64. You can apply 6 to 11 months before you turn 60, so payments can start on time.
What to do next
- Plan to apply 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday.
- File your tax return every year, even with little or no income.
- Check now whether you can get a CPP survivor's pension or the CPP death benefit.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
- Can I get the CPP death benefit?
- Read our full guide: Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
The Allowance for the Survivor ends at 65. Check OAS and GIS instead.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is only for ages 60 to 64. At 65 you may qualify for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) instead.
What to do next
- Use our OAS and GIS checks to see what you may get now.
- Check whether you can get a CPP survivor's pension.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for Old Age Security (OAS)?
- Do I qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?
- Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
- Read our full guide: Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely eligible
You are likely switched automatically.
Why
If you were getting the Allowance when your spouse or partner died, you are switched to the Allowance for the Survivor automatically. From October to December 2026, it pays up to $1,726.18 a month.
What to do next
- Tell Service Canada about the death. Call 1-800-277-9914.
- File your tax return by April 30 every year. That is how your payment is renewed.
- Check whether you can also get a CPP survivor's pension and the CPP death benefit.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
- Can I get the CPP death benefit?
- Read our full guide: Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
You likely cannot get the Allowance for the Survivor.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor stops if you marry or start a new common-law relationship.
What to do next
- If your new spouse or partner gets OAS and the GIS, check the Allowance instead.
- If you are getting the Allowance for the Survivor now, tell Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
You likely cannot get it while you live outside Canada.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is for people who live in Canada. Payments stop after 6 months outside Canada.
What to do next
- If you move back to Canada before 65, run this check again.
- Check the CPP survivor's pension. Read our guide to living outside Canada for your other benefits.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
- Read our full guide: Living outside Canada
- Read our full guide: Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
We cannot tell from your answers
Ask Service Canada whether your time abroad helps.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor needs at least 10 years in Canada since age 18. Time in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada may help some people qualify. Service Canada decides.
What to do next
- Make a list of the countries you lived or worked in, with dates.
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and ask whether your time in another country counts.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
You likely have not lived in Canada long enough yet.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor needs at least 10 years in Canada since age 18.
What to do next
- Work out the date you will reach 10 years in Canada. If that is before your 65th birthday, check again then.
- Also check the CPP survivor's pension, which has its own rules.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
We cannot tell from your answers
Your years in Canada decide this.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor needs at least 10 years in Canada since age 18.
What to do next
- Use old passports, immigration papers, tax returns or work records to count your years in Canada after age 18.
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 if you need help.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
You likely cannot get it during your sponsorship.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor is only for people who are not under a sponsorship agreement.
What to do next
- Find the end date of your sponsorship on your immigration papers, and check again after that date.
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to ask about your situation.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
We cannot tell from your answers
Your sponsorship papers decide this.
Why
If you came to Canada as a sponsored relative and the sponsorship is still in effect, you likely cannot get the Allowance for the Survivor. If you came another way, this rule does not apply to you.
What to do next
- Look at your immigration papers for a sponsorship agreement and its end date.
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and ask whether a sponsorship affects you.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely eligible
You are likely eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor.
Why
You are 60 to 64, widowed, live in Canada and your 2025 income was under $31,152. From October to December 2026, the Allowance for the Survivor pays up to $1,726.18 a month. The more income you have, the less you get.
What to do next
- Apply. It does not start on its own. If you live in Canada, apply in My Service Canada Account, in the Old Age Security section.
- Or apply on paper with form ISP3008 (the application) and form ISP3026 (Statement of Income), and mail them to Service Canada.
- Have your Social Insurance Number, your banking details, and your spouse or partner's Social Insurance Number, date of birth and date of death.
- File your tax return by April 30 every year. That is how your payment is renewed.
- Also check the CPP survivor's pension and the CPP death benefit. Manitoba adds money for people on this benefit. In other provinces and territories, ask your government or call 211.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
- Can I get the CPP death benefit?
- Read our full guide: Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Likely not eligible
Your 2025 income was likely too high.
Why
The Allowance for the Survivor stops when your income is $31,152 or more, based on 2025 income.
What to do next
- Make sure you left out OAS, the first $5,000 of work income, and half of work income between $5,000 and $15,000. These do not count.
- If your income has dropped this year, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
- Also check the CPP survivor's pension, which has its own rules.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
We cannot tell from your answers
Your 2025 income decides this.
Why
You meet the other rules. Whether you get the Allowance for the Survivor, and how much, depends on your income for 2025. The limit is under $31,152.
What to do next
- Find your income on your 2025 tax return or Notice of Assessment, then take off OAS and the work income that does not count.
- If you have not filed your 2025 tax return, file it now.
- Apply anyway if you think you are close. Service Canada works out the amount from your tax return.
Your answers
More help
This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.
Where these rules come from
- Allowance for the Survivor: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
- Allowance for the Survivor: Overview (Government of Canada)
- Old Age Security: Payment amounts (Government of Canada)
- Allowance for the Survivor: Apply (Government of Canada)
- Allowance for the Survivor: Receiving your benefit (Government of Canada)