Survivor’s Information Package
We are very sorry for the loss of [Insert Name of Employee] and extend our condolences to you and your
loved ones.
This package outlines the benefits and assistance available to you as a spouse, dependent, family
member or beneficiary. If you have questions or would like assistance, please contact: [Insert Ministry
main contact here]
Counselling
Short-term counselling is available at no cost to family members who resided with the deceased. Call
Homewood Human Solutions at 1-800-663-1142 (anytime, 24/7) within 60 days to express your interest
and make an appointment.
Salary
A final payment of salary and any other earned entitlements will be paid by cheque (made out to the
estate) and mailed to the employee’s home address. If you have any questions after receiving the final
payment, call MyHR at 1-877-277-0772.
Life Insurance [delete if employee did not have benefits]
The life insurance claim has already been initiated. The beneficiary or executor of the estate will be
contacted with an explanation of the benefit and instructions on next steps.
An $8,000 funeral advance from the life insurance proceeds can be requested by the beneficiary by
calling MyHR at 1-877-277-0772.
Benefits
[delete if employee did not have benefits]

Payment of Medical Service Plan premiums ends the month of the death.

Extended health and dental coverage will continue until the end of the month following the death.
If you have any expenses for which you have not yet made a claim, make sure to complete the claim(s)
before the claiming deadlines: June 30 of the following year for extended health claims and one year from
the date of service for dental claims. Complete the forms included at the back of this package and send
them to Pacific Blue Cross, or follow the instructions at: [insert if a bargaining unit employee]
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/myhr/content_hub.page?ContentID=fa337ab6-c1fc-dfc0-ab99-ca29a4936c18
[insert if an excluded employee] http://www2.gov.bc.ca/myhr/content_hub.page?ContentID=a7b4862932c3-ce19-479d-e516275f7386.
[Print and attach the following forms to the back of the package:
If the employee was an excluded employee: extended health claim | dental claim
If the employee was a bargaining unit employee: extended health claim | dental claim
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Survivor’s Information Package
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
[delete if employee did not have benefits]
Payment of MSP premiums on the employee’s behalf will continue until the end of the month. After this,
MSP will start billing you. Contact MSP if you need to update your mailing address or if you do not receive
a billing notice within the next 60 days. (Visit
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=C331CE70072946C59276A8B4A936C08D for contact
information.)
Extended Health & Dental Coverage
[delete if employee did not have benefits]
If you wish to maintain extended health and dental coverage with Pacific Blue Cross, you can convert to a
private policy within 60 days of the ending of your coverage under the public service plan. Conversion
means that the general pre-existing conditions provision and waiting periods will be waived.
Call Pacific Blue Cross for details: toll free 1-888-275-4672 or 604-419-2000 within the Lower Mainland.
Please Note: The benefits and costs under a private policy are not the same as the coverage previously
provided in the public service plan.
Alternatively, some coverage may be available through the BC Pension Corporation if the employee was
entitled to a public service pension. For more information, call the BC Pension Corporation:
Victoria: 250-953-3033
Toll-free in Canada: 1-800-665-3554
Public Service Pension
[delete if employee did not contribute to the pension plan]
We have notified the BC Pension Corporation so they can begin processing any benefits that are payable
to you. A letter will be mailed to the beneficiary or executor.
To contact the BC Pension Corporation, call:
Victoria: 250-953-3033
Toll-free in Canada: 1-800-665-3554
Canada Pension Plan
You may be eligible for survivor benefits through the Canada Pension Plan. For information, call
1-800-277-9914 or visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/after-death.shtml.
Private Insurance
If you have an additional private insurance policy, you will need to contact that company directly to initiate
the claim.
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Survivor’s Information Package
Here is a list of tasks that you may need to take care of:
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Locate Will
Apply for will search (Vital Stats) http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/
Notify beneficiaries in accordance with instructions in Will
Buy/sell any assets as required by Will
Attend to any trusts created by the will
Reimburse yourself necessary expenditures, pay yourself executor fee
Distribute balance of cash according to the Will (reserving enough to pay income tax if not paid)
Carry out funeral arrangements
Obtain and complete the forms required for an Application for Letters Probate (Court Registry,
Probate Division)
Make out Declaration of Citizenship (if applicable)
Have documents sworn before a Commission for Taking Oaths
Mail the Notice of Application
File the documents at Court Registry, Probate Division
Pay all probate fees
Locate bank accounts, determine amount in each
Check safety deposit box, list contents
Publish a notice to creditors (not mandatory)
Make detailed list of assets and debts
Safeguard and insure assets
Obtain cash available from bank, insurance, employer
Register change of address with post office
Notify pension offices, retirement plans
Notify insurers, landlord/mortgage company
Cancel Subscriptions, charge accounts, memberships
Calculate and file income tax payable for the year of death and any other years owing
Land Titles
Transfer titles on properties and insurances
Apply for the balance of any accounts payable for life and other insurance
Pay outstanding accounts (funeral, taxes, debts) legal and administration fees (including executor)
Apply for death benefits as appropriate: (also check any survivor benefits)
 Canada Pension
 ICBC
 WorkSafe BC
 OAP/GAIN
 Office of the Public Trustee (if involved due to incompetency)
 Official Administrator (if no survivors)
 Department of Veterans’ Affairs
 Union, fraternal order
 Other insurance policies
Cancel BC Driver’s License
Transfer a vehicle
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