Death Benefits Available in Quebec

Financial Support for Grieving Families 

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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

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​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

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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:

• Childhood abuse
• Sexual violence
• Domestic violence

​Late submissions may still be accepted if valid reasons for the delay can be provided.

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