What are Allowance benefits?
If you are the spouse or common-law partner of someone who is receiving the GIS benefit, you may be eligible to receive the GIS Allowance benefit. To qualify:
- you must be 60 to 64 years old (you can include the month of your 65th birthday),
- your spouse (or common-law partner) must be receiving the OAS pension, and is eligible for the GIS,
- you must be a Canadian citizen or resident,
- you must live in Canada and have done so for at least ten years since the age of 18, and
- you and your spouse’s (or common-law partner’s) combined income must be less than the maximum amount (set by the government every year).
What are Allowance for the Survivor benefits?
If your spouse or common-law partner is deceased, and you have a low income, you may be eligible for Allowance for the Survivor benefits. To qualify:
- you must be 60 to 64 years old (you can include the month of your 65th birthday),
- your spouse (or common-law partner) must be deceased, and you have not remarried or entered into a common-law relationship,
- you must be a Canadian citizen or resident,
- you must live in Canada and have done so for at least ten years since the age of 18, and
- your yearly income must be less than the maximum amount (set by the government every year).
The amount of the Allowance benefit or the Allowance for the Survivor benefit you will receive, is determined based on your income or combined income (whichever is applicable), up-to the maximum amount set by the government.