Open
Source verified September 30, 2026
Allowance for the Survivor (OAS)
Tax-free payment for surviving partners aged 60 to 64
Latest source updateLast Update: September 30, 2026Latest change: The After you apply guidance for Allowance for the Survivor now shows revised processing times and updated instructions for checking or correcting an application in MSCA.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 30, 2026
Latest change: The After you apply guidance for Allowance for the Survivor now shows revised processing times and updated instructions for checking or correcting an application in MSCA.
After You Apply Process Updated
The After you apply page for Allowance for the Survivor now shows separate processing times for online applications and applications sent by mail: 14 days online and 120 days by mail. It also updates the steps for checking status and correcting an application in My Service Canada Account, including new instructions for updating direct deposit and contact information. The page now explains how to authorize another person to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf, with limits on what that consent covers. The reconsideration period remains 90 days from the date you receive your decision letter.
Funding available
$ 1,702
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Surviving spouses or common-law partners aged 60 to 64 with annual net income less than $30,696.
See full eligibility
Overview
Allowance for the Survivor is a monthly non-taxable benefit for surviving spouses or common-law partners aged 60 to 64 in Canada, with payments up to $1,702.34 from July to September 2026. It provides income support based on annual net income and is paid by direct deposit or cheque.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,702 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Documents Needed
- Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008)
- Statement of income for the Renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3026)
- Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603), if someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada
- Certificate of Incapability OAS/CPP form (ISP-3505), if you are applying on someone’s behalf
- Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by a Private Trustee (ISP-3506) or by an Agency or Institution (ISP-3507), if you are applying on someone’s behalf
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Surviving spouses or common-law partners aged 60 to 64 with annual net income less than $30,696.
Who is not eligible
- Sponsored immigrants cannot receive the Allowance for the Survivor while they are sponsored.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- A country that has concluded a social security agreement with Canada
How to apply
- Apply online through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
- Sign in to your MSCA or create an account using the Apply using MSCA button.
- Once signed into MSCA, go to Old Age Security section on your MSCA dashboard.
- Click on Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits and follow the instructions.
- If you cannot apply online, print and complete the Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008) and the Statement of income for the Renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3026).
- Submit the completed forms by mail.
Processing and Agreement
- We’ll process your application and send you a decision letter by mail.
- Online applications are processed in 14 days and by mail applications in 120 days.
- After a decision is made, your application status will be updated in My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
- You have 90 days from the date you receive your decision letter to ask for a reconsideration of the decision.
Additional information
- The first payment may start in the month you turn 60 or on the date shown in your decision letter.
- You can receive the benefit by direct deposit in a bank account in Canada, the United States, or other participating countries.
- Applications can be submitted 6 to 11 months before your 60th birthday if your spouse or common-law partner died before you turned 60.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) Program
What is the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS)?
Allowance for the Survivor is a monthly non-taxable benefit for surviving spouses or common-law partners aged 60 to 64 in Canada, with payments up to $1,702.34 from July to September 2026. It provides income support based on annual net income and is paid by direct deposit or cheque.
How much funding can be received?
Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) Funds up to $1,702 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) program?
To be eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) program, you must:
You are 60 to 64 years old.
Your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship.
You are a Canadian citizen or authorized resident, have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18, do not currently have a sponsorship agreement, and your annual income is less than $30,696.
Who can I contact for more information about the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS)?
You can contact Government of Canada or by phone at 1-800-277-9914.
Where is the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) available?
The Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) program is available across Canada.
Is the Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Allowance for the Survivor (OAS) is a Grant and Funding