Death Benefit

• What is the Death Benefit?
• Do I Qualify?
• How Do I Apply?

What is the Death Benefit?

When military families lose a loved one in the line of duty, there can be great suffering as the surviving spouse and children struggle to find their place in the civilian world.

Veterans Affairs Canada pays a death benefit to help ease that struggle.

The death benefit is a one-time, tax-free cash award.

The death benefit is not designed to be life insurance. Instead, it recognizes the impact the death of a service member has on the functioning of their immediate family, including the permanent loss of guidance, care and companionship. It is paid in addition to the usual pension-related death benefits paid under the Canada Pension Plan and the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.

The death benefit is adjusted annually according to the cost of living index (check here for the current rate).

Do I Qualify?

The Death Benefit is paid to a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children if a Canadian Forces member has died as a result of a service-related injury or disease provided the death occurred within 30 days after the injury occurred or the disease was contracted.

A survivor is defined as:

• the surviving spouse, who was, at the time of the members or Veterans death, residing with the member or Veteran; or
• the person who was, at the time of the Canadian Forces members or Veterans death, the members common-law partner (a common-law partner means a person who is cohabiting with the member or Veteran in a conjugal relationship, having so co-habited for a period of at least one year).

A dependent child is defined as:

• the child of a Canadian Forces member or Veteran (or of their spouse or common-law partner) who is under 18 years of age, or
• under 25 years of age and attending school, or an adult but physically or mentally incapacitated and prevented from earning a living. In addition, the child must have been living in the home of the Canadian Forces member or Veteran to be considered a dependent child.

How Do I Apply?

In circumstances where your spouse has died while on service, VAC is normally notified by DND directly. As a result, we will then contact you directly about this benefit. If, however, you have not heard from us, please contact us