The allowance for survivor is a benefit for 60-64 year old low income seniors who are living in Canada and whose spouse or common-law partner have died. The goal of the benefit is to lessen the financial difficulty of living on a single income.
Qualifying for the Pension
An individual would qualify for the pension if they meet ALL the conditions below:
- Aged 60 to 64 (includes the month of your 65th birthday);
- Canadian citizen or a legal resident;
- Reside in Canada and have resided in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18
- Spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a common-law relationship; and
- Annual income is less than the maximum annual threshold.
Amount of Pension
The amount of pension that you would receive depends on your previous year’s income.
- The maximum monthly amount that you could receive is $1,390.30
In order to receive the maximum, your income must below a certain threshold. To determine, what your monthly amount might be – refer to the link below
Allowance for Survivor: Situational Example
Janet is a 60 year old widow. Her husband passed away 5 years ago. She has not remarried or entered into a common law relationship and her income is minimal. Janet may be entitled to the Allowance for the Survivor if she meets all the requirements.
How to Apply
An individual can apply for the monthly benefit 6 to 11 months before their 60th birthday.
- You must apply in writing for the Allowance for Survivor. The following documents must be completed and mailed
- Statement of Income for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor application form (ISP-3026)
- Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor form (ISP-3008)
- Certified true copies of the required documentation.
- Mail the forms to the local processing centre mentioned on the forms.
Yearly Renewal
Every year, Service Canada will review your federal Income Tax and Benefit Return to make sure that you still qualify or continue to qualify for the benefit. If you still qualify, the renewal will happen automatically. Every July, a pensioner would receive a letter with three options:
- if their benefit are renewed
- if their benefit are stopped
- if additional income information is required.
Pension Stoppage
The month after you turn 65 years old, your Allowance for Survivor stops. At this age, you may become eligible for Old Age Security (OAS) pension and possibly the Guaranteed Income Supplement. (GIS). The benefit can also be stopped if any of the following happen.
- No taxes have been filed with the CRA by April 30th, or if. by the end of June of each year if no information about your previous years net income has been reported to the CRA
- You have been living outside of Canada for more than 6 months
- Your net income or combined net income has exceed the maximum annual threshold
- If you’ve been sentenced to jail for two years or longer
- You pass away