The Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor are tax-free monthly payments for people aged 60 to 64 with a low income. The Allowance is for people whose spouse or common-law partner gets the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The Allowance for the Survivor is for people whose spouse or partner has died. Unlike GIS, you usually have to apply.
How much the Allowance pays
Both payments go up with the cost of living every January, April, July and October. These are the maximums for October to December 2026.
| Benefit | Maximum a month (Oct to Dec 2026) | Payments stop when yearly income reaches |
|---|---|---|
| Allowance (your spouse gets OAS and the full GIS) | $1,448.06 | $42,768 combined |
| Allowance for the Survivor | $1,726.18 | $31,152 |
The amount you get depends on your income from the previous year. For the Allowance, it’s your combined income with your spouse. The more other income you have, the less you get, and most people get less than the maximum.
Some income doesn’t count. OAS, GIS and Allowance payments are left out. So is the first $5,000 you earn from a job or self-employment, and half of what you earn from work between $5,000 and $15,000.
For example, a widow aged 62 who earns $8,000 a year from a part-time job has only $1,500 of that counted. The first $5,000 is ignored, and only half of the next $3,000 counts. CPP payments, including a CPP survivor’s pension, count in full.
Who qualifies
The Allowance
- You are 60 to 64.
- Your spouse or common-law partner gets the OAS pension and is eligible for GIS.
- You are a Canadian citizen or legal resident.
- You have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18.
- Your combined yearly income is under the limit in the table.
- Neither of you is under a sponsorship agreement, with some exceptions, such as if the sponsor has died or declared bankruptcy.
The Allowance for the Survivor
- You are 60 to 64.
- Your spouse or common-law partner has died, and you have not remarried or started a new common-law relationship.
- You live in Canada.
- You have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18.
- Your yearly income is under the limit in the table.
- You are not under a sponsorship agreement, with the same exceptions.
How to apply
Apply 6 to 11 months before you turn 60. If you’re already 60 to 64, apply as soon as you can. If your spouse dies while you’re 60 to 64, you’ll need to apply for the Allowance for the Survivor yourself.
- Gather your Social Insurance Number, your spouse’s SIN and date of birth (and date of death, for the survivor benefit), the countries you’ve lived in since 18, and your banking details for direct deposit.
- Apply online by signing in to My Service Canada Account and going to the Old Age Security section.
- Or apply on paper with form ISP-3008 (Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor) and the income statement ISP-3026, and mail them to Service Canada.
- Watch for a decision letter. If you have questions, call 1-800-277-9914.
Keeping it and what happens at 65
File your taxes by April 30 every year so your payments aren’t interrupted. Each July, Service Canada sends a letter saying whether your benefit has been renewed.
Both benefits stop at 65, when you can get the OAS pension and GIS instead. Service Canada may enrol you in OAS automatically. If a month has passed since your 64th birthday and you have no letter, call to find out if you need to apply.
Tell Service Canada if you separate, if your spouse dies, or if your income drops because you or your spouse retired. If your spouse dies, you may be able to switch to the Allowance for the Survivor.
What changed in 2026
- Quarterly increases. Payments rose 1.2% for July to September 2026, and the government has announced a 1.4% increase for October to December 2026. The calendar at the top of this page shows the new amounts once they’re published.
- Longer sponsorships. Since October 1, 2025, sponsorship agreements for parents and grandparents last 20 years, and sponsored people usually can’t get the Allowance during that time.
- A new name for the GST credit. In July 2026 the GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. You get it by filing your taxes.
Payment late, missing or different?
Wait 5 to 10 business days after the payment date before you call, since cheques take longer than direct deposit. Check your payments in My Service Canada Account, then call 1-800-277-9914 (TTY 1-800-255-4786), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. From outside Canada and the US, call collect at 1-613-957-1954.
Common reasons a payment stops or changes: a tax return wasn’t filed by April 30, your income went up last year, you changed address or bank without updating it, you were outside Canada for more than 6 months, or your marital status changed. The Allowance for the Survivor ends if you remarry or start a new common-law relationship.
Watch for scams. Service Canada never charges a fee to get your benefit and never asks for payment by gift card, Bitcoin or wire transfer. Don’t give passwords or banking details in reply to a text or email. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Other help you might be missing
- CPP survivor’s pension: if your late spouse paid into CPP, you may get a monthly pension and the estate may get a one-time death benefit.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: what your spouse gets now, and what you may get from 65.
- CPP retirement pension: you can start it as early as 60. It counts as income for the Allowance, so check how it affects your total.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: a tax-free payment four times a year for people with low or modest incomes.
- B.C. Senior’s Supplement: in B.C., people 60 to 64 who get the federal Allowance may also qualify for this top-up.
- Manitoba 55 PLUS: a top-up for low-income Manitobans 55 and older.
Common questions
Can I get OAS at 60 in Canada?
No, the OAS pension starts at 65. The Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor are the only OAS-program payments for people 60 to 64.
Is the Allowance paid automatically?
Usually not. You need to apply online or on paper. Once you get it, it renews each July if you file your taxes by April 30.
Is the Allowance taxable?
No. You don’t pay tax on the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor, but you still need to file a tax return each year.
Can I get the Allowance for the Survivor and a CPP survivor’s pension?
Yes, you can get both if you qualify. The CPP survivor’s pension counts as income, so it lowers your Allowance for the Survivor.
What happens to the Allowance when I turn 65?
It stops, and you can get the OAS pension and GIS instead. Service Canada may enrol you automatically, so watch for a letter after you turn 64.