Losing a loved one is very difficult, and there are a number of steps that must be completed before one can begin any kind of healing. Mourning is a very personal process. That said, when the administrative burden following someone\u2019s death falls upon a loved one\u2019s shoulders, the situation can quickly become overwhelming. There\u2019s a desire to do things right to honour the deceased, without sidestepping any money to which the survivors are entitled. It\u2019s therefore important to become familiar with some key pieces of information regarding government benefits and pensions to ease the burden when the time comes to file such applications.
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The Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan sets out three types of benefits for the loved ones of the deceased. As for the Canada Pension Plan, there is only one death benefit, with special criteria for Quebec. The easiest way to go about it is to contact directly the Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan and to mention if the deceased has paid into the Canada Pension Plan. The Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan will then work with the Canada Pension Plan to determine the benefits\/pensions to which you are entitled.<\/p>\n
The death benefit is a lump-sum payment of up to $2,500, where priority is given to the person or charitable organization that paid the funeral expenses. Should funeral expenses be less than $2,500, the difference is paid to the estate. The benefit can be paid to the deceased\u2019s heirs should an application for funeral expenses not be submitted within 60 days of the death. If there are no heirs or if the heirs have renounced the estate, the death benefit can be paid to others in the following order: the deceased\u2019s spouse, the descendants or ascendants of the deceased.<\/p>\n
The surviving spouse\u2019s pension under the Qu\u00e9bec pension Plan ensures a basic income to the surviving spouse. If the deceased was in a common-law partnership, married, in a civil union or legally separated, the surviving spouse\u2019s pension will be paid to the spouse. The related terms and conditions are determined accordingly. Up to $1,000 can be paid out monthly through this pension. The amount is determined based on certain considerations, including the age of the deceased\u2019s spouse and the surviving spouse\u2019s family situation.<\/p>\n
The orphan\u2019s pension is payable to the person(s) who provides for the underage child of the deceased. It amounts to approximately $250 per month and is paid out until the child reaches the age of maturity.<\/p>\n
Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan benefits and pensions are subject to the deceased having paid into the Plan. He\/she has to have contributed during at least the third of the required contribution period set out by the Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan, or for at least 10 years. However, a death benefit may be paid out even if the deceased does not meet contribution eligibility criteria, as long as the deceased contributed at least $500 to the Plan without receiving a retirement or disability pension. Another exception is provided in the event the deceased suffered from a severe impairment. In such cases, further guidance should be sought regarding eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that the benefits and pensions provided under the Qu\u00e9bec Pension Plan are taxable. They must therefore be included in your tax return.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to know that there are other organizations which provide such benefits and pensions as those listed in this article. Take a moment to go through the list below and contact any other organizations which may hold money to which you are entitled.<\/p>\n
Losing a loved one is very difficult, and there are a number of steps that must be completed before one can begin any kind of healing. Mourning is a very personal process. That said, when the administrative burden following someone\u2019s death falls upon a loved one\u2019s shoulders, the situation can quickly become overwhelming. There\u2019s a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n