Toward Tomorrow...
Following the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend,survivors face a number of challenges — some of them emotional, others practical — that must be dealt with in order to move on with their lives.
Handling an estate is one of those challenges. The following information should help you identify and understand options and general procedures you should consider when organizing your affairs and making personal changes after the loss.
Collecting Benefits
Life Insurance
First, locate all known life insurance policies and then contact the deceased’s former employer to determine if survivors’ benefi ts from a group insurance plan also are available. In addition this is a good time for a surviving spouse to review any life insurance policies currently in force and update/correct them as necessary.
Social Security or Canada Pension Plan
If eligible, benefits may be available for survivors.
Social Security
Must apply for benefits
Call or stop by a local Social Security Administration office or visit www.ssa.gov for full details
Canada Pension Plan
Applications should be made to the local Human Resources Development Canada - Income Security Program office ww.hrsdc.gc.ca
Veterans Benefits
If the deceased was a discharged veteran, your funeral director probably helped file for funeral expense benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.vba.va.gov) or Canadian Department of Veterans Affairs (www.vac-acc.gc.ca). Other sources in Canada include the Department of National Defense and the Last Post Fund.
Pensions & Retirement Accounts
You may be eligible for a monthly or lump-sum benefi t from a pension or retirement account in which your spouse was vested (guaranteed payment). Contact the former employer or a Civil Service Commission office and also check with unions and/or other professional and fraternal organizations to determine if benefi ts exist.
