The Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor
How do I get an application kit?
Normally, we will send you an application kit when our records show that you may be eligible for the Allowance. You should complete the application and return it to us as soon as possible. Since there are restrictions on retroactive payments, you could lose some benefits if you don't apply right away.
If your spouse or common-law partner has died, please contact us. We will send you an application kit for the Allowance for the survivor. Again, you should complete and return it quickly. If you do not apply right away, you may miss some benefits.
If you haven't received an application kit, but you think you may qualify for the Allowance or the Allowance for the survivor, please contact us.
What if I need help?
If you need help completing your application, please call us. A service agent will answer your questions or make an appointment for you to come in to one of our offices to meet with an agent.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
Normally, individuals must apply for the Allowance and the Allowance for the survivor on their own behalf. If you are applying for someone else, please contact us for more information.
What documents will I need to provide?
Depending on your situation, you will have to provide some or all of the following documents:
Seniors with a spouse or common-law partner who receives or is eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Birth/baptismal certificate
- Marriage certificate/statutory declaration and proof of cohabitation
- Citizenship/immigration documents
- Statement of Income - ISP3025(2008-2009).
Note: If documentation has already been submitted in regards to another application, you are not required to submit again.
Seniors whose spouse or common-law partner has died
- Birth/baptismal certificate
- Marriage certificate/statutory declaration and proof of cohabitation
- Citizenship/immigration documents
- Death certificate of spouse or common-law partner
- Statement of Income - ISP3025(2008-2009).
Note: If documentation has already been submitted in regards to another application, you are not required to submit again.
Birth or baptismal certificate - Normally, you have to submit a birth or baptismal certificate to prove that you are between 60 and 64 years of age. You do not have to send these documents if you have already applied for a Canada Pension Plan benefit and provided us with proof of your age at that time. If you cannot obtain one of these certificates, call us for information about other documents that you may be able to use instead.
Marriage certificate or statutory declaration and proof of cohabitation - If you are married, you must provide a marriage certificate. Common-law couples must sign a "statutory declaration" and prove that they have been living together for at least one year. See below for more details.
Couples married in Canada - If you don't have your marriage certificate, there are two ways to get it:
- You can get a certificate from the institution in which you were married.
- You can contact the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the capital city of the province or territory in which you were married.
Couples married outside Canada - If you don't know how to get a copy of your marriage certificate, call us.
Common-law relationships - You must provide a statutory declaration that gives the date when you and your partner began living together. Call us for a copy of this form and for help to complete the declaration.
You must also provide objective proof that you and your partner have been living in a conjugal or marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months. Some examples of documents that you could use are listed below. The documents you choose should indicate your marital status or give your shared address.
Documents you can use to prove cohabitation:
- tax returns
- Guaranteed Income Supplement applications
- joint bank accounts
- wills
- investments
- bills
If you have any questions about proving your common-law relationship, please call us.
Citizenship or immigration documents - If you were not born in Canada, you must prove your legal status in Canada by showing us your citizenship or immigration documents. If you have not lived continuously in Canada since the age of 18, you must submit proof of all the dates when you arrived in or left Canada. Usually, you do this with a passport.
Statement of Income - ISP3025 (2008-2009).
If you have already submitted a statement of income when your spouse or common-law partner applied for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or if you are already receiving an Allowance and are now applying for an Allowance for the Survivor, this is not required.
The application kit contains more detailed information about these requirements.