There are several death benefits available to Canadians upon their death. Ontario offers coverage for funeral services for those whose families cannot afford it.
There are several death benefits available to Canadians upon their death. Ontario offers coverage for funeral services for those whose families cannot afford it. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides two types of support. This is a one-time payment of $2,500 which is paid to the estate. The second is a monthly pension paid to survivors of the deceased. To receive these funds, they must be applied for within a year of the death. To qualify, the deceased must have made contributions to the CPP for a certain number of years, which varies based on the contributory period. Ontario Works is another service that helps cover basic funeral costs. Ontario Works may cover things such as the transfer of the deceased from the place of death, cremation, burial plot, urn, or casket. The deceased does not have to have been a recipient of Ontario Works during life to be eligible for the funeral and burial services, but services must be approved before signing a contract with a particular funeral home. Keep in mind that while anyone is entitled to these funds, you will have less say over things such as type of casket or urn or other service details. The Ontario Works funds cover only a simple direct cremation or simple graveside burial. There are no bells or whistles. So while the financial help is beneficial, families do lose some of their decision power. If a loved one dies and you are wanting to use the financial support of social services, the first thing to do is simply to call 311 to inquire about services. If the deceased was already an Ontario Works recipient, they will be prequalified for services. If the deceased was not an Ontario Works recipient they may still be eligible for benefits. Ontario Works will look at the financial standing of the deceased and their family. They will take into account things such as insurance policies and other assets. If approved the average payout is about $2250 but can vary depending on the circumstances. If you have questions about either program, you can ask your funeral director. They are likely very experienced with these programs and can help direct you to the right resources to answer your questions.
