🍁 BenefitCanada

After a death

Life eventChecked October 2, 2026

When someone dies, survivors may be entitled to one-time and ongoing payments, and some benefits must be stopped or adjusted. Notifying the government promptly avoids overpayments that must be repaid.

Your checklist

  1. Notify Service Canada and the CRA of the death

    Benefits paid after death may need to be repaid.

    OAS CCB

  2. Apply for the CPP death benefit

    It is a one-time payment to the estate or eligible person.

    CPP death benefit

  3. Surviving spouse or partner applies for the CPP survivor's pension

    It is not paid automatically.

    CPP survivor

  4. Apply for children's benefits for dependent children

    Children of a deceased contributor may get a monthly benefit.

    CPP children's

  5. Low-income survivors aged 60-64 check the Allowance for the Survivor

    It provides a monthly benefit before OAS starts.

    Allowance

  6. Update marital status with the CRA

    Child benefits and credits are recalculated on your new situation.

    CCB CGEB

  7. File the deceased's final tax return

    It can trigger credits owed and closes their tax affairs.

Timing

Notify the government as soon as possible. Apply for CPP survivor benefits promptly as retroactive payments are limited. The final return deadline depends on the date of death.

Province-specific notes

  • Quebec: Survivor and death benefits come from the Québec Pension Plan if the deceased contributed to QPP.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on October 2, 2026.

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.