Government Benefits After Death in Canada — CPP, OAS, GIS, and Provincial

Last updated July 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
Service Canada must be notified of a Canadian death promptly. CPP, OAS, and GIS payments for the month of death and any month thereafter stop and (if already received) must be returned. The CPP death benefit is a one-time taxable lump-sum — a basic $2,500, or up to $5,000 with the top-up for deaths since January 1, 2025 — paid to the estate or whoever paid the funeral expenses. Surviving spouses may qualify for the CPP survivor's pension and the OAS Allowance for the Survivor. Provincial benefits (Trillium, MSP, provincial drug plans, social assistance) must be notified separately.

Federal and provincial governments operate dozens of programs that pay benefits to Canadians, and most of them need to be specifically notified of a death. Some benefits stop and must be repaid if overpaid; some new benefits become available to surviving family members. The executor's job in the first 60 days is to identify which programs the deceased was receiving, notify each one, and start the application process for any survivor benefits.

This guide walks through the federal benefits administered by Service Canada and the provincial benefits that vary by province.

Federal benefits — Service Canada is the key contact

Service Canada is the federal department that administers most income-support and retirement benefits. A single notification to Service Canada typically updates:

  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
  • Old Age Security (OAS)
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor
  • Employment Insurance (if the deceased was receiving EI)
  • Social Insurance Number flagging

Service Canada's death notification process can be initiated by phone or in person at a Service Canada Centre. Have the deceased's Social Insurance Number, date of birth, and date of death available. Confirm with the agent what specific benefits were active and any overpayments that need to be returned.

CPP — three things to address

CPP retirement pension stops. Payments for the month of death and any subsequent month are not owed. Any payments deposited after the month of death must be returned to Service Canada.

CPP death benefit is paid. A one-time taxable lump-sum — a basic $2,500, up to $5,000 with the 2025 top-up. Apply through Service Canada with the CPP death benefit application form. The benefit is preferentially paid to the estate; if no estate application is made within 60 days, it can be paid to the person who paid funeral expenses.

The death benefit is taxable income — if paid to the estate, it's reported on the estate's T3 return; if paid to a person, it's reported on their personal T1 return.

CPP survivor's pension may begin. The surviving spouse (legal or common-law) may qualify for a monthly survivor's benefit. Amount depends on the deceased's CPP contributions and survivor's age. Apply through Service Canada. Combined CPP receipts (own pension + survivor benefit) are capped — survivors already receiving their own CPP retirement may receive less than the calculated full survivor benefit.

OAS — stops and may convert to survivor allowance

OAS for the deceased stops. Payments for the month of death and any subsequent month must be returned if already paid.

OAS Allowance for the Survivor may begin for low-income surviving spouses aged 60-64. This is an income-tested benefit paid until age 65, when regular OAS becomes available to the survivor. Apply through Service Canada.

GIS and Allowance — review eligibility for survivor

GIS is an income-tested supplement paid alongside OAS. It stops for the deceased and may be available to the surviving spouse based on their income. New eligibility is assessed.

Allowance (for low-income spouses aged 60-64 of OAS pensioners) ends when the OAS pensioner dies and may convert to the Allowance for the Survivor.

EI — if the deceased was receiving it

If the deceased was receiving Employment Insurance benefits at death, EI stops as of the date of death. Any post-death EI payments must be returned. The estate may be entitled to EI payments earned but unpaid prior to death.

GST/HST credit and CCB

The deceased's quarterly GST/HST credit and any Canada Child Benefit payments stop. The CRA must be notified. Any post-death payments may need to be returned.

For CCB: if the deceased was the recipient parent, the surviving parent or new caregiver may need to apply to redirect the benefit.

Service Canada Death Notification Service

Service Canada operates a Centralized Death Notification Service that aggregates federal program notifications. A single notification reaches:

  • CPP and OAS programs
  • EI program
  • Old Age Security
  • Service Canada records generally

This is more efficient than contacting each program separately.

Provincial benefits — notify each province separately

The federal notification does NOT automatically reach provincial programs. Each province has its own benefits that must be notified separately:

Provincial drug plans: Ontario Drug Benefit, BC Pharmacare, Alberta Coverage for Seniors, etc. Cancel coverage for the deceased; review eligibility changes for surviving spouse.

Seniors' supplements: BC Senior's Supplement, Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement (GAINS), Alberta Seniors Benefit, etc. Most are income-tested; survivor eligibility may change.

Provincial health card: Each province manages its own health insurance card. Return or destroy the deceased's card per provincial process.

Driver's licence: Notify the provincial driver/vehicle licensing authority to cancel.

Social assistance: If the deceased was receiving provincial social assistance (Ontario Works, BC Income Assistance, etc.), notify and cancel.

Property tax/property assessment: Some provinces have senior property tax deferral programs that may need to be addressed.

Timing — the typical sequence

  • Week 1: Get death certificates
  • Weeks 1-2: Notify Service Canada (CPP, OAS, GIS)
  • Weeks 2-3: Apply for CPP death benefit
  • Weeks 2-4: Apply for survivor benefits (CPP survivor's pension, OAS Allowance for Survivor if eligible)
  • Weeks 2-6: Notify provincial offices
  • Ongoing: Return any post-death payments received
  • Months 1-3: Survivor benefit determinations and first payments

What we focus on at It's Simple Will

The Life Discovery Kit captures the deceased's benefit programs in one document — what they were receiving, what direct deposits to expect, what notification process is needed. The Kit reduces the executor's research burden in identifying the right offices to contact.

See our companion guides: handling a loved one's finances after death, direct deposits and PADs after death, and tax slips at death.

Citations & sources

  1. [1]Canada Pension Plan death benefit — Government of Canada
  2. [2]CPP survivor's pension — Government of Canada
  3. [3]Allowance for the Survivor — Government of Canada
  4. [4]Service Canada — What to do following a death — Government of Canada

Frequently asked questions

How do I notify Service Canada of the death?

Service Canada accepts death notifications by phone, online, or by mail. The fastest path is calling Service Canada's general line (1-800-O-Canada or the Service Canada line, currently 1-800-277-9914) and using their automated death notification system. You will need the deceased's Social Insurance Number, date of birth, and date of death. The notification stops federal benefits and triggers any survivor benefit eligibility processing. Have a copy of the death certificate available; provide it if requested.

What is the CPP death benefit?

The CPP death benefit is a one-time taxable lump-sum payment with a basic amount of $2,500; effective January 1, 2025 a top-up of up to a further $2,500 (maximum $5,000) applies where the deceased never drew a CPP/QPP retirement or disability pension and had no survivor-pension-eligible spouse. It is paid to the estate (preferred) or to the person who paid funeral expenses if no estate application is made within 60 days. The benefit is taxable income — to the estate if paid to the estate, or to the recipient if paid to a person. Application is made through Service Canada with a CPP death benefit application form.

What is the CPP survivor's pension?

A monthly benefit paid to the surviving legal or common-law spouse of a deceased CPP contributor. The amount depends on the deceased's CPP contributions and the survivor's age. Eligibility and amount calculations are complex — Service Canada provides individual benefit estimates. Surviving spouses already receiving their own CPP retirement pension may have the survivor benefit capped, as combined CPP receipts are limited.

What about OAS?

OAS payments for the month of death and beyond stop. Any OAS payments deposited after the month of death must be returned. The OAS Allowance for the Survivor is a separate benefit available to low-income surviving spouses aged 60-64, paid monthly until age 65 when regular OAS becomes available. Eligibility is income-tested; application is through Service Canada.

Do I need to apply for survivor benefits, or are they automatic?

Surviving spouses generally need to apply for survivor benefits — they are not automatic. Service Canada is notified of the death and may proactively contact the surviving spouse with application packages, but the formal application is the survivor's responsibility. Apply as soon as possible after the death; retroactive payments may be limited.

What about provincial benefits?

Each province must be notified separately. Common provincial benefits affected include — provincial drug plans (Ontario Drug Benefit, BC Pharmacare, etc.); seniors' supplements (e.g., BC Senior's Supplement, Ontario GAINS); provincial health card (no further use); social assistance (Ontario Works, BC Income Assistance); driver's licence and any related benefits. Each provincial office handles its own death notification process.

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