Form ISP-3008 — Application for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor

What is ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor?

Form ISP-3008 is the application for two Old Age Security benefits for people aged 60 to 64. The Allowance is a non-taxable monthly benefit for the spouse or common-law partner of someone who receives the Old Age Security pension and qualifies for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The Allowance for the Survivor is a non-taxable monthly benefit for a surviving spouse or common-law partner with low income. Both can be paid until you turn 65, when they are replaced by the Old Age Security pension if you qualify.

The form is five pages plus the list of Service Canada office addresses. It asks about you, your banking details, your marital status (with a part for your spouse or partner and a part for a deceased spouse or partner), your legal status in Canada, any sponsorship, your residence history since age 18, benefits from other countries, a person who can confirm your residence, and your signature.

FileIt walks you through each question in plain English and prints your answers into Service Canada's official ISP-3008 PDF. Your name, date of birth and email can be pre-filled from the People records in your vault, names with accents print correctly, and FileIt checks things the information sheet states, such as the age range and when you can first apply. The finished PDF is saved in the person's vault folder, ready to print and sign in pen. You then mail it or take it to Service Canada yourself: FileIt never submits it.

Who needs to fill out ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor?

• People aged 60 to 64 who are married to, or living common-law with, someone who receives the Old Age Security pension and qualifies for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
• People aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner has died, who have a low income and have not remarried or started a new common-law relationship.
• Anyone who received a letter asking them to apply for the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor.
• A family member or authorized representative completing the application for someone who cannot do so themselves.

When to use ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor

• In the months before you turn 60: the information sheet says you can apply no earlier than 11 months before your 60th birthday.
• As soon as possible if you are already 60 to 64, because the information sheet says payments can be made back to a maximum of 11 months before Service Canada receives your application.
• After the death of a spouse or common-law partner, if you are aged 60 to 64 and have a low income.
• When your spouse or common-law partner starts receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

What you need before you start

• Your Social Insurance Number, date of birth and country of birth.
• Your spouse's or common-law partner's name, date of birth and Social Insurance Number, or those details and the date of death for a deceased spouse or partner.
• Proof of death of your spouse or partner, if you are applying as a survivor.
• Proof of your legal status in Canada, unless you were born in Canada and have always lived here.
• If you were sponsored: your IRCC Unique Client Identifier (UCI), the sponsorship category, the date you became a permanent resident and the length of the undertaking.
• The places you have lived since age 18, with dates, and proof of your residence history if you have not always lived in Canada.
• Your bank's branch, institution and account numbers for direct deposit.
• The name, telephone number and address of one person, not related to you, who can confirm your residence in Canada.

What’s on ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor

The 2025 edition has 6 pages. FileIt asks for it in 8 parts:

1. Questions 1 to 7: About youApplicant
2. Question 8: Payment informationApplicant
3. Question 9: Marital statusApplicant
4. Questions 10 to 13: Legal status and residenceApplicant
5. Benefits from other countriesApplicant
6. Question 14: A person who can confirm your residenceApplicant
7. Question 15: SignatureApplicant
8. Signature with a mark or by someone other than the applicantWitness or authorized person

How to fill out ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor, step by step

1 Questions 1 to 7: About you

Your Social Insurance Number, an optional title, your name as one line (first name, initial and last name), your name at birth if different, date of birth, country of birth, preferred language, home and mailing addresses, daytime telephone number and an optional email address.

Dates on this form are written year first (YYYY-MM-DD). FileIt formats them for you.

2 Question 8: Payment information

The branch (5 digits), institution (3 digits) and account number (up to 12 digits) of your own account in Canada, the name(s) on the account and your bank's telephone number. For direct deposit outside Canada, the form gives telephone numbers to call and points to www.directdeposit.gc.ca.

3 Question 9: Marital status

If you are married or common-law, give your spouse's or partner's name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number and home address (or tick that it is the same as yours).

If you are a surviving spouse or common-law partner, give your deceased spouse's or partner's name, Social Insurance Number and date of death, then answer 9c to 9f: whether you were married or living common-law at the time of death, and whether you have married or lived common-law since, with dates.

4 Questions 10 to 13: Legal status, sponsorship and residence

Choose 10a if you are a Canadian citizen who has lived continuously in Canada since birth: the form then sends you straight to the signature. Otherwise, 10b (living in Canada now) or 10c (living outside Canada) asks your status. Question 11 asks when and where you first entered Canada if you were born abroad.

Question 12 asks about any sponsorship agreement. Question 13 is a three-line table of the places you have lived since age 18, leaving out periods outside Canada of less than six months at a time.

5 Benefits from other countries

If you, or your deceased spouse or partner, lived or worked in another country, give the country, insurance number and the periods lived and worked there. Canada's social security agreements may help you meet the residence requirements or qualify for a benefit from that country. In FileIt this is an optional part you switch on.

6 Question 14: A person who can confirm your residence

One person, not related to you by blood or marriage, with whom Service Canada can confirm your residence in Canada. Service Canada may also contact them if it loses contact with you.

7 Question 15: Signature

You declare that the information is true and complete, then sign and date. If you sign with a mark, the mark must be made in front of a witness, who gives their details and signs the declaration on page 5. Someone with authority to act for you who signs on your behalf gives the same details and must provide proof of that authority.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying too early: the information sheet says no earlier than 11 months before your 60th birthday.
• Applying at 65 or over: the Allowance is for ages 60 to 64; at 65 you apply for the Old Age Security pension instead.
• Forgetting proof of death when applying as a survivor.
• Leaving gaps in the residence history, or forgetting to include Canada itself.
• Leaving out the sponsorship details in question 12, which the information sheet says are all mandatory if you were ever sponsored.
• Giving bank details for an account that is not in your name.

After you fill it out

Print the PDF and sign and date question 15 in pen. If you sign with a mark, the witness completes their part and signs page 5.

Mail the application to the nearest Service Canada office on the last page of the form, or drop it off, with the documents that apply to you, such as proof of death, proof of legal status and proof of residence. From outside Canada, send it to the office for the province where you last lived. FileIt does not send anything to Service Canada.

Keep the completed PDF in your FileIt vault as your record. The information sheet says the benefit can be paid outside Canada for only 6 months after you leave, so tell Service Canada if you move.

ISP-3008 Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor: frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by Service Canada, for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC): https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-3008.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/allowance.html
• Edition shown on this page: SC ISP-3008 (2025-06-16) E (checked 2026-09-28).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Service Canada, for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.

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