SURVIVOR Benefits for Children Under age 25 in Canada after a Parent Dies

by wpadmin

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-childrens-benefit.html

Recently I had a client whose ex spouse had died and together they have a few children.  During our counselling session the topic of finances came up as a concern for her.  Financial instability can be a barrier to achieving wellness when it adds to a person’s stress.

I asked her if she had applied for CHILDREN’S BENEFITS through the Canada Pension Plan.  She looked at me like a deer in the headlights.  I explained a little of what this benefit could offer for her children and perhaps relieve some of the financial burden on her.  

I share this with you, because not everyone is aware of this benefit and other benefits for those who qualify.  

As a counsellor, part of what I do is find where people are struggling after a loss.  Yes, there is grief, but if the basic necessities of life are not being attended to, how can an individual look at their loss.  You too, can be someone who passes this information on to a grieving person, friend or family member in an effort to inform.

After my session with this client, I looked up the government site information and sent it to her in an email; knowing that grieving individuals forget things and struggle to advocate for themselves sometimes.

I have provided the link to this topic and have copied a few explanations for you to now follow up on your own.  This is a brief overview, but important to know about.  

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) children’s benefits provide monthly payments to the dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors.

The child must be either:

  • under age 18; or
  • under age 25 and in full-time attendance at a recognized school or university.

There are two types of CPP children’s benefits:

  • NOTE: I am not addressing this benefit in this post (A disabled contributor’s child’s benefit – a monthly payment for a child of the person receiving a CPP disability benefit.)
  • A surviving child’s benefit – a monthly payment for a child of the deceased contributor. For the benefit to be paid, the deceased contributor must have made sufficient contributions to the CPP. …

You will find information relating to

I hope this helps you help others.

All my best,

Barbara Gillett Saunders

Grief Counsellor/Thanatologist