If you are a spouse or dependent of someone who died as a result of a workplace injury or illness, you can make a claim for survivors' benefits.
We provide four types of survivors' benefits:
- Survivor payments: We pay spouses and/or dependent children a lump sum payment and a continuing monthly payment. The amount of these payments will be different for every claim.
- Funeral and transportation costs: We pay all expenses reasonably connected to burial or cremation and can pay these expenses directly. We may also pay for expenses to bring your family member home for burial.
- Bereavement counselling: We offer grief counselling for spouses and children. You can request grief counselling at any time during the first year after your family member's death.
- Support for spouses wanting to rejoin the workforce: We provide help for spouses entering or returning to the workforce. If you think you may need this help, you need to request it during the first year after your spouse's death, but our services can be delayed until it is appropriate.
For more detailed information on survivors’ benefits and other services, we encourage you to review For Families: A Resource Guide for Survivors (PDF).
During this time, you may need estate administration services to support you in notifying various government and other agencies about your loved one’s death while also helping safeguard their identity.
You may also want to connect with Threads of Life, a not-for-profit organization that supports families who’ve lost a loved one to a workplace injury or illness. They offer programs and resources, including online workshops led by a grief counsellor.
Benefits to widows/widowers whose benefits were discontinued because of remarriage
If you are a widow or widower (including common-law) whose survivors' benefits ended because you married or remarried before April 1, 1985, you may be entitled to a reinstatement of survivors' benefits. These benefits are retroactive to April 1, 1985.
For more information call us at 1-800-387-0750.
Submit claim documents online
You can submit claim documents online to get information to us sooner. To submit your document(s) on behalf of an estate, enter the claimant’s last name followed by the words ‘estate of’ in the “Last name” field (e.g., Smith estate of) before entering the claim number and date of birth.
If you have questions or if you have trouble submitting a document, call 1-800-387-0750, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Support for survivors with estate administration services
To help you with the paperwork and phone calls that follow the death of a loved one, we’re pleased to support you with estate administration service at no cost to you.
We’ve partnered with Peacehold, a trusted Canadian company that supports families with the practical matters that follow a loss. They help with important tasks, such as completing forms, notifying government agencies, and protecting your loved one’s identity.
If you are interested in this service, and working with Peacehold to support you, call Peacehold to set up your initial consultation. They’ll answer any questions you may have about the service.
How it works
Step one: Call Peacehold at 1-866-607-1502 to set up your initial consultation. This service is available for you in both English and French.
Step two: You’ll have a consultation with a dedicated Peacehold Associate who will guide you through each step with care. Their goal is to ease your stress, help you save time and make sure every detail is properly managed on your behalf. They will gather the information they need in a 30-to 60-minute phone call.
Step three: Your Peacehold Associate will review, evaluate and identify the documents relevant for your circumstance using the information you provide in your initial consultation.
Step four: Your Peacehold Associate will mail all required documents to you within 10 business days of your initial consultation, so you can review and sign them.
Step five: When you receive your package it will come with detailed instructions. Follow the steps outlined — sign and date where indicated, include the requested documents, and mail them using the prepaid envelopes provided. Your Peacehold Associate will stay in touch for a full year, offering ongoing guidance and support whenever you need it.
Getting started
- Peacehold’s estate administration service is available to you at no cost.
- Call 1-866-607-1502 to book your initial consultation with a Peacehold Associate. Please have your 8-digit WSIB claim number for the call.
- Peacehold is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.