Can You Collect a Deceased Person's Pension or Government Cheques After Death in Ontario?
In general, you should return government payments that arrive after a death rather than spend them. CPP and OAS are payable for the month in which the death occurs, but payments issued after that month must be returned, and any already cashed must be repaid. Any other CRA payment received after the death should be returned to the tax centre.
Notify the CRA as soon as possible, by phone or by mailing Form RC4111, Notify the Canada Revenue Agency of a Death, to avoid benefit repayments. Service Canada can be notified about CPP and OAS at 1-800-277-9914.
The estate may still have a claim. For deaths on or after January 1, 2025, the CPP death benefit is a basic $2,500 plus a possible $2,500 top-up, up to $5,000 in total, and the executor should apply within 60 days of the date of death. If there is no estate or the executor does not apply, it may be paid to the person or institution paying the funeral expenses, then the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then the next of kin. Whether other amounts are owed depends on the payment, so confirm with a lawyer.
Key takeaways
- CPP and OAS are payable for the month of death, and payments issued after that month must be returned, including any already cashed.
- Notify the CRA as soon as possible by phone or with Form RC4111, and return any CRA payment received after the death to the tax centre.
- The CPP death benefit for deaths on or after January 1, 2025 is $2,500 plus a possible $2,500 top-up, and the executor should apply within 60 days of death.
- Relatives who are not the estate trustee have no authority to withdraw money from the deceased's sole accounts.