The death benefit
The death benefit is a lump-sum payment of 2 500 $. It is paid if the deceased contributed sufficiently to the Québec Pension Plan.
Who can receive the death benefit?
- The death benefit is paid to the person or charitable organization that paid the funeral expenses or to the heirs. If an application and a photocopy of proof of payment are filed with the Régie within 60 days of the death, priority is given to the person or charitable organization that paid the funeral expenses. No benefit is paid if the services were provided free of charge.
- After 60 days, if no application has been filed with proof of payment, the death benefit can be paid to the deceased's heirs. If there are no heirs or if the heirs have renounced the estate, the death benefit can be paid to others; contact the Régie for more information.
The application must be filed with the Régie within 5 years after the date of death.
- If the amount paid for the funeral expenses is less than 2 500 $, the difference is granted to the heirs if they have not renounced the estate.
Conditions of payment
The person or charitable organization entitled to the benefit will receive a lump-sum by cheque for a maximum amount of 2 500 $.
Note that...
The Régie does not reimburse fees related to funeral services previously paid by the deceased. In that case, the death benefit could be paid to the heirs or other eligible persons, if they file an application.
The death benefit is taxable
It must be declared in the income of the estate, regardless of the name in which the cheque was made. For further information, contact Revenu Québec 
or the Canada Revenue Agency .
For more information...
Filing an application...
Online survivors' benefits service