Canada: Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor 2026
The Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor have separate monthly maximums and income tests for people aged 60 to 64.
On this page
- Allowance monthly maximum
- $1,448.06 for October to December 2026.ESDC, October to December 2026 amounts
- Allowance income limit
- Combined annual net income of the couple below $42,768.Service Canada, Allowance income test
- Survivor monthly maximum
- $1,726.18 for October to December 2026.ESDC, October to December 2026 amounts
- Survivor income limit
- Individual annual net income below $31,152.Service Canada, survivor income test
Monthly maximums for October to December 2026
For October to December 2026, the maximum monthly Allowance is $1,448.06 and the maximum monthly Allowance for the Survivor is $1,726.18. These maximums include the top-ups provided to recipients with the lowest incomes. ESDC, October to December 2026 amounts (opens in a new tab).
The Allowance table applies to a person whose spouse or common-law partner receives GIS and the full OAS pension. The couple's combined annual net income must be less than $42,768. For the Allowance for the Survivor, the surviving spouse or common-law partner's annual net income must be less than $31,152. Service Canada, Allowance and survivor income tests (opens in a new tab).
Different household conditions
Both benefits concern people aged 60 to 64 who are Canadian citizens or legal residents and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. The Allowance requires a spouse or common-law partner who receives GIS. The Allowance for the Survivor requires that the spouse or common-law partner has died and that the applicant has not remarried or entered a common-law relationship. Sponsorship conditions also apply. Service Canada, Allowance eligibility overview (opens in a new tab).
Income exclusions and changing payments
The quarterly table's income cut-offs exclude the OAS pension, the first $5,000 of employment or self-employment income and 50% of that income between $5,000 and $15,000. ESDC, income cut-off exclusions (opens in a new tab).
Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor payments are not taxable. Payments are recalculated each July based on net income in the previous calendar year and can increase, decrease or stop as annual net income changes. Service Canada, annual recalculation and tax treatment (opens in a new tab).
Scope of this explanation
This is general information about Canada, not personal tax or financial advice. This page does not determine eligibility, calculate an individual payment or cover partial OAS pensions and every residence or sponsorship exception. The government does not endorse this website.