The Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor

The Allowance

You should apply for the Allowance if you meet the following conditions:

• you are age 60 to 64;
• you and your spouse or common-law partner’s combined annual income is less than $29,376^{Footnote 1a} (not including OAS pension amounts);
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18; and
• your spouse or common-law partner receives an OAS pension and is eligible to receive the GIS.

The Allowance stops at age 65, when you may become eligible for the OAS pension and possibly the GIS. In January 2011, the maximum monthly Allowance payment was $961.18.

The Allowance for the Survivor

You should apply for the Allowance for the Survivor if you meet the following conditions:

• you are age 60 to 64;
• your annual income is less than $21,408^{Footnote 1b};
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18; and
• your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a common-law relationship.

The Allowance for the Survivor stops at age 65, when you may become eligible for the OAS pension and possibly the GIS. In January 2011, the maximum monthly Allowance for the Survivor payment was $1,065.45.