Survivor Resources

Work-related fatalities (Benefits for dependents)

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.

Grief Counselling: If a survivor needs help coping with grief following the loss, WCB-Alberta will refer survivors to a licensed psychologist authorized by WCB-Alberta. These services are often offered during initial contact with a case manager, and are paid by WCB-Alberta and are available immediately and in the future. Counselling is available for spouses and partners only.

Pension: In general, compensation for dependents includes a pension and often appropriate vocational services for spouses or partners. WCB-Alberta’s overall objective, and legislative requirement, is to assist spouses and interdependent partners with becoming gainfully employed and self-sufficient. Case managers will help surviving spouses and partners understand and apply for WCB-Alberta benefits and services which they, and any surviving children, may be entitled to. This section is a general overview, however there are a number of detailed conditions to WCB-Alberta’s Policy 04-08 available at http://www.wcb.ab.ca/public/policy/legislation.asp on benefits to survivors. Benefits also depend on the legislation in effect on the date of the accident. Case managers are able to provide more information on these conditions.

There are three main factors that will affect survivor benefits:

• the survivor’s current employment status
• whether there are dependent children under the age of 18
• the ability to become gainfully employed in the future