Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

The death or disappearance of a child is devastating and can leave parents unable to work. Parents or legal guardians who have taken time away from work and suffered a loss of income to cope with the death or disappearance of their child or children may be eligible for federal income support of $450 per week.

The Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime provides income support to eligible parents who suffer a loss of income as they take time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child under 25 years of age, as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence.  The following are key features of the benefit:

• Eligible parents have two years following the date of the incident to apply for and receive benefit payments of $450 per week, paid bi-weekly, for a maximum of 35 weeks.
• To receive the benefit, parents must be on leave from employment or working reduced hours up to a maximum of 50% of their regular work week (up to a maximum of 20 hours per week).
• Applicants must also have a recent labour force attachment, having earned at least $6,500 in the previous calendar year or the 52 weeks immediately prior to the incident.
• The benefit can be shared by more than one eligible parent for the same incident.

The Canada Labour Code also was amended to ensure that employees in the federally regulated private sector can benefit from the improved grant without any fear of losing their job

For more information on the benefit and eligibility criteria, or to apply, please visit www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/parents-young-victims-crime.html.