Canada’s $1,647 Survivor Benefit Arriving in June 2025 – Check Eligibility and Payment Schedule

Published On: June 27, 2025

If you’re between the ages of 60 and 64, have lost a spouse or common-law partner, and are trying to manage on a tight income, Canada’s Allowance for the Survivor might be just the relief you need.

This benefit can pay up to $1,647.34 monthly starting June 2025, helping you bridge the financial gap until you qualify for full Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) at age 65. Let’s walk through exactly how this benefit works and how you can apply.

Table of Contents

1 Overview
2 Eligibility
3 Payments
4 Compare
5 Application
6 Online
7 Mail
8 Planning
9 FAQs

Overview

The Allowance for the Survivor is part of the federal OAS program and is specifically designed to help lower-income Canadians in their early 60s who’ve lost a partner. It’s non-taxable and income-tested—meaning your payment depends on how much you earned last year. In June 2025, the maximum payout is $1,647.34 per month.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

Feature	Detail
Age Range	60–64 years
Income Cap	Less than $29,712 (net)
Max Payment	$1,647.34/month
Application	Online or by mail
Payment Date	June 26, 2025
Retroactive	Up to 11 months

Eligibility

So, who qualifies? You’ll need to check off a few boxes:

Be between 60 and 64 years old (you can apply 11 months before turning 60)
Live in Canada when applying and have lived here for at least 10 years after age 18
Your spouse or partner must have passed away
You haven’t remarried or entered a new common-law relationship
Your net income last year was under $29,712

If you’re unsure how your income fits, just check your latest CRA Notice of Assessment.

Payments

Not everyone gets the full $1,647.34. It depends on how much you earned last year. The lower your income, the higher your benefit.

Here’s a simplified example:

Net Income	Estimated Monthly Benefit
$10,000	~$1,094.75
$15,000	~$817.62
$29,000	~$91.80
$29,712+	$0

The government calculates everything automatically once you apply—they use your tax return, so make sure it’s accurate and up to date.

Compare

Wondering how this compares to the CPP Survivor’s Pension? Here’s a quick side-by-side:

Feature	Survivor Allowance	CPP Survivor Pension
Income-Tested	Yes	No
Max Monthly Amount	$1,647.34	~$647.41
Based on Contributions	No	Yes
Duration	Until age 65	For life (if eligible)

You can apply for both if you qualify—and you probably should.

Application

Here’s how to get started:

Online

Log in to My Service Canada Account
Click “Apply for a benefit”
Choose “Allowance for the Survivor”
Upload your documents (like death certificate, SIN, proof of income)
Submit and save your confirmation number

Mail

Download Form ISP-3008
Fill it out, attach copies of your documents, and mail it to Service Canada
Expect processing to take about 12 weeks

If you’re eligible, you’ll get paid starting the month after you qualify. Plus, you might get up to 11 months’ worth of retroactive payments.

Planning

While the benefit is a huge help, it doesn’t replace a full income. Here are a few tips:

Budget: Track spending with a simple budget worksheet
Provincial Help: Check if your province offers extras. For example, B.C. has a Senior’s Supplement
Plan Ahead: At 65, you’ll transition to OAS and possibly GIS. Start planning now for a smooth switch

Use tools from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) or speak with a non-profit credit counsellor if money feels tight.

No one wants to think about government forms when they’re grieving, but this support is meant to help. By applying early and staying organized, you can get financial breathing room when you need it most. Be proactive—this money is meant to support you.