With the death of a loved one comes the realization that there are important family matters to be settled and many business, legal and financial decisions to be made. There are many agencies to contact as an executor or next of kin to finalizing an estate. Some of these agencies are pension benefits, banks, health care and revenue agencies.


If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at (780) 474-4663

CANADA PENSION PLAN DEATH BENEFITS

The Canada Pension Plan death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment made to the deceased contributor's estate. If there is no estate, the person responsible for the funeral expenses, the surviving spouse or common-law partner or the next of kin may be eligible, in that order.
As with most Canada Pension Plan benefits, the amount of the death benefit depends on how much, and for how long, you paid into the Canada Pension Plan. Canada Pension Plan first calculates the amount that your Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is, or would have been if you had been age 65 when death occurred. The death benefit is equal to six months' worth of this "calculated" retirement pension, up to a maximum of $2,500. If the required documentation is properly submitted, the one-time death benefit is usually paid within 6-12 weeks of application.

Additional information is available here.
You may download or complete the form online by clicking here.

CANADA PENSION PLAN SURVIVOR BENEFITS

The survivor's pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor. It is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor. If you are a separated legal spouse and there is no cohabiting common-law partner, you may qualify for this benefit. If your deceased same-sex common-law partner contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, you could be eligible for survivor's benefits.

The amount a surviving spouse or common-law partner will receive depends on:
* whether the spouse or common-law partner is also receiving a Canada Pension Plan disability or retirement pension;
* how much, and for how long, the contributor has paid into the plan; and
* the spouse or common-law partner's age when the contributor dies. First the Canada Pension Plan calculates how much the contributor's Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is, or would have been, if the contributor had been 65 at the time of death. Then, a further calculation is done based on the survivor's age at the time of the contributor's death.

Additional information is available here.
You may download or complete the form online by clicking here.

Returning the form

The completed form including a Funeral Director's Statement of Death can be mailed to:

Service Canada
P.O. Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4

CRIMES COMPENSATION BOARD

The crime must have occurred in Alberta. The board requires documentation to substantiate all claims made to them. Forms are available from:

Victims of Crime Financial Benefit Program
10th Floor, 10365—97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7
Telephone: 310-000 ask operator to connect you to 427-7217

Following a hearing, the Board reviews the application and all of the evidence obtained. They then make a decision if compensation for funeral expenses can be awarded. A maximum benefit of $12,500 can be awarded to be used at the discretion of the surviving family. The board cannot compensate for injures caused by motor vehicles.

Additional information is available here.
You may download or complete the form online by clicking here.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION BOARD

When a work-related fatality occurs, the worker’s dependant spouse or adult interdependent partner* may be entitled to benefits. Dependent children† living with the spouse or partner are included within these benefits. Dependent children may also be eligible for benefits if:
* there is no dependent spouse or partner at the time of the worker’s death;
* they did not reside with the dependent spouse or partner at the time of death, however were financially supported by the deceased worker prior to death;
* they resided with the dependent spouse or partner at the time of the worker’s death, however ceased living with this person after the fatality

Funeral Expenses

WCB-Alberta pays a maximum of $8,150 towards the burial, cremation or memorial service. WCB-Alberta will pay up to $550 towards any costs incurred in the transportation of the body within Alberta, or up to $1,000 if the body must be transported outside of Alberta. There is also a separate payment of $1,300 to the family to assist with any extra costs associated with arranging the funeral. No receipts are required for this payment.
A special needs case manager at WCB-Alberta is available to discuss how reimbursement for these costs can be arranged, or any other funeral expense-related matters.

Survivor Benefits

A survivor is defined as the dependent spouse or adult interdependent partner of a deceased worker or any surviving children. A WCB-Alberta special needs case manager will be assigned to survivors and will be an important long-term contact. They will be there to provide support and assist survivors with understanding WCB-Alberta benefits they may be eligible for. The deceased worker might already have been receiving benefits from WCB-Alberta before death. In this case, surviving partners should notify WCB-Alberta of the loss. If the death is related to the condition for which they were receiving benefits, further entitlements may be awarded. If the death isn’t related, the benefits cease on the last day of the month of death, unless the decease was receiving TDD, in which case the benefits would cease on the same day.

Additional information is available here.

THE LAST POST FUND

The Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program, administered by the Last Post Fund, provides financial assistance toward the dignified funeral, burial, cremation and grave marking for eligible Veterans. The Program adheres to and is guided by the Veterans Burial Regulations of the Government of Canada.

To qualify for the Funeral and Burial Program, Veterans must meet certain financial and service related criteria. It is important to note that every case is unique and coverage is not automatic. Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.

In order to satisfy the service criteria a person must fall under one of the following categories:
- Canadian Veteran of the First or Second World War.
- Canadian Veteran of the Korean War. In this case, the Veteran must have actually seen service in the theatre of operations, or have been part of the Special Forces designated to go to the Republic of Korea, anytime prior to October 31, 1953.
- Canadian Veteran who served in the Canadian Armed Forces since the Korean War, as long as he or she is in receipt of a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada.
- Allied Veteran who has served with Allied Forces during the Second World War or the Korean War and who has lived in Canada for at least 10 years, or has lived in Canada prior to enlisting and is still living in Canada at time of death.

There are two types of services provided by the Last Post Fund.

A standard service may be provided if the Last Post Fund is contacted by the family and eligibility is determined before firm arrangements are made. In this case, the Last Post Fund works directly with the funeral home.
An assisted service will be provided to eligible Veterans if the Last Post Fund is contacted after funeral arrangements have been made. In this case, the eligible Veteran’s estate or family will be reimbursed allowable costs.

Funeral and burial related expenses that are covered under the program, in full or in part, include:
- services of the funeral director (including a casket)
- cost of cremation and urn (if applicable)
- burial expenses
- grave marker (ordered through an LPF supplier). Every case is unique.
It is best for Veterans and their families to contact the Last Post Fund to discuss their specific situation. All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

Suite 1130, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue Edmonton AB T5J 4C3
Toll-free: 1-888-495-3766
Tel: (780) 495-3766
Fax: (780) 495-6960

Additional information is available here.

ALBERTA WIDOW’S/WIDOWER’S PENSION

1. Special programs exist for widows and widowers between the ages of 55 – 64 years that reside in Alberta. To qualify, the applicant must be a non sponsored immigrant or have been born in Canada.
2. For widows or widowers who have an annual income of less than $8650.00 the maximum pension is $720.00 per month.
3. For widows or widowers who have an annual income of between $8,650.00 and $11,500.00 the pension is proportional to the monthly income received.
4. The benefits are not retroactive.

For further information write to:

The Alberta Widow’s Pension Program
c/o Social Services and Community Health
10035 – 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3E1
Telephone: (780) 422-4080