Death Benefits Available in Quebec

Financial Support for Grieving Families

IVAC Death Benefits
Financial Assistance for Families After a Criminal Offense

If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of a criminal act or while they were acting as a civic intervener, you may be entitled to financial compensation through the Direction de l’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels (IVAC) in Quebec.

IVAC operates under the Act to Assist Persons Who Are Victims of Criminal Offenses and to Facilitate Their Recovery (LAPVIC), offering support to family members during times of profound grief and hardship.

Who Is Eligible?

The following individuals are recognized by IVAC as eligible to file a compensation claim after a fatal criminal offense:
Parent(s) of the deceased victim
Spouse of the deceased victim
Dependents of the deceased
Siblings of the deceased
Grandparents and grandchildren of the victim
Children of the victim’s spouse
Spouse of the victim’s parent(s)
Children of the victim’s stepparents
Any person who had a significant emotional relationship with the deceased

What Support Is Available?
Based on the situation, you may be eligible for:

A lump-sum death benefit
Compensation for lost income or specific impairments
Rehabilitation services, including psychotherapy or psychosocial support
Reimbursement of funeral expenses, transportation of the body, and clean-up costs at the private residence where the crime occurred

Time Limits to File a Claim

You have 3 years from the date of death to apply if the crime occurred after October 13, 2021.
For incidents before that date, the time limit is 1 to 2 years, depending on when the crime occurred.
However, no time limit applies in the following situations: