Canada’s $1,647 Survivor Benefit Scheduled for June 2025 – Eligibility and Payment Details

Published On: June 22, 2025

For low-income Canadians between the ages of 60 and 64 who have lost a spouse or common-law partner, the Allowance for the Survivor offers critical financial support. While it doesn’t replace a partner’s income, it helps cover basic living costs until the recipient becomes eligible for full Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) at age 65.

Here’s everything you need to know about the $1,647.34 monthly survivor benefit in 2025.

Table of Contents

Overview

The Allowance for the Survivor is part of the federal OAS program. It’s a non-taxable, income-tested benefit designed specifically for surviving spouses or common-law partners who are not yet eligible for full senior benefits. The program fills the financial gap during a difficult transition period.

Key Details (April–June 2025)

Item	Description
Monthly Maximum	$1,647.34
Age Requirement	60 to 64 years old
Income Limit	Less than $29,712 previous year
Next Payment Date	June 26, 2025
Application Methods	Online (My Service Canada), or paper form
Retroactive Payments	Up to 11 months before applying

History

Introduced in 1989, the benefit was created to help people nearing retirement who lose their main source of income after their partner’s death. Payments are adjusted quarterly based on the Consumer Price Index to keep up with inflation and maintain real value.

Eligibility

To qualify, you must meet several criteria:

Age: You must be between 60 and 64 years old. Applications can be submitted up to 11 months before turning 60.
Residency: You must live in Canada and have lived in the country for at least 10 years after age 18.
Marital Status: Your spouse or common-law partner must have passed away, and you must not have remarried or entered a new common-law relationship.
Income: Your net income from the previous year must be under $29,712.

Payment Amounts

The actual payment you receive depends on your income level. Here’s a rough guide:

Net Income	Estimated Monthly Payment
Less than $29,712	Full benefit ($1,647.34)
$15,000	Around $817.62
$29,712 or more	No benefit

Payments are adjusted every quarter based on inflation.

How It Compares

Many people confuse this benefit with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Survivor’s Pension. They’re separate programs:

Feature	Allowance for the Survivor	CPP Survivor’s Pension
Age to Qualify	60–64	60+ or 65 (reduced)
Based on Partner’s CPP	No	Yes
Income-Tested	Yes	No
Indexed for Inflation	Quarterly (CPI)	Annually (CPI)
Maximum Payment (2025)	$1,647.34	Around $647.41 average

If you qualify for both, you may be able to receive both benefits.

Payment Schedule

Payments follow the standard OAS schedule. For June 2025, the payment date is June 26.

Direct Deposit: Recommended for faster, more secure payments.
Mailed Cheque: Will arrive within 3 business days of the payment date.
Activate Direct Deposit: Log into your My Service Canada Account, go to “Profile Settings,” and enter your bank details.

How to Apply

Death certificate of spouse/partner
Marriage or common-law proof
Your birth certificate
SIN number
Bank account details for direct deposit
CRA Notice of Assessment from the last tax year

Choose Application Method

Online: Via My Service Canada Account
Mail: Fill out Form ISP-3008 and send it with supporting documents to the appropriate Service Canada office.

Track Your Status

Online: You can check your application’s progress under “My Applications.”
By Mail: Processing may take up to 12 weeks. Call 1-800-277-9914 if necessary.

Receive Your Payments

Payments start the month after your eligibility begins. If you qualified earlier, you may get a lump sum covering up to 11 months of retroactive benefits.

This benefit may not replace the loss of a partner, but it provides vital support to help seniors make ends meet. Make sure to check your eligibility and apply on time to avoid missing out.