Income Replacement Benefit for survivors and orphans
If you have lost a loved one, you will have lots to think about, money is one we can help with right away. The Income Replacement Benefit is for the eligible survivors and orphans of a deceased CAF member or Veteran.
About this program
The Income Replacement Benefit is a taxable, monthly benefit provided to the survivor (spouse or common-law partner) and orphans of a deceased Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member or Veteran.
Learn how the Income Replacement Benefit for survivors and orphans is calculated.
Do you qualify?
You should apply for the Income Replacement Benefit if you are the survivor or orphan of a CAF member or Veteran who died prior to age 65 due to an illness or injury related to their service.
If they died (before the age of 65) due to an illness or injury that was not related to service you can apply to receive a lump-sum payment. This payment is based on the amount of Income Replacement Benefit the Veteran was receiving.
If the Veteran dies on or after the age of 65 and was entitled to IRB at the time of death you can apply to receive a monthly payment which is based on the amount the Veteran was receiving.
How to apply
Apply online
If you are registered for My VAC Account, you can submit your application for this benefit online. If you aren't registered, you can register now.
My VAC AccountMail or in person
Download the application form. Then, drop it off at a VAC office or CAF Transition Centre. You can also mail your completed form directly to the address listed on the form.
Go to formIf you are an orphan under 18 and there is no survivor, please use this form: Income Replacement Benefit for Orphan(s) Under 18.
If you are an orphan over 18 and there is no survivor, please use this form: Income Replacement Benefit for Orphan(s) Over 18.
Get help with your application
The staff at any VAC office or CAF Transition Centre can assist you, or call us at 1-866-522-2122.
How the benefit is calculated
The amount provided to the survivor and any orphan is based on the amount that would have been paid to the member or Veteran. The amount reduces to 70% of what the member or Veteran would have received following the member’s or Veteran’s 65th birthday.
It is provided in the following manner:
- 50% to the survivor, and
- 50% shared evenly between the orphans.
Notes:
- Amounts for orphans under the age of 18 are paid, on their behalf, to the survivor or their guardian.
- If there is a survivor and no orphans, the full amount is paid to the survivor.
- If there is no survivor, then the full amount is divided among all orphans.
Additional information
Offsets
The benefit is offset by other income sources, such as amounts paid to you through the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, commonly known as the Veteran’s military pension. If you are receiving any other benefits in respect of the deceased Veteran, these will be offset against the IRB amount. However, for orphans, there are no offsets.
CAF member who died in service
If your spouse or parent died of a service related injury or illness while in service, the Income Replacement Benefit will be paid to you based on the amount of the benefit that would have been paid to the CAF member.
Veteran who died due to a service-related illness or injury prior to reaching age 65
If the Veteran was entitled, or in receipt of the Income Replacement Benefit at the time that they passed away due to a service-related illness or injury, the spouse/common-law partner and any orphans will continue to receive the full amount of the benefit.
If the Veteran passed away prior to reaching age 65 due to a service-related injury or illness the benefit is reduced the month after what would have been the Veteran’s 65th birthday. At that time, the survivor and any orphans will share 70 percent of the benefit, consistent with how the benefit is provided to Veterans themselves.
If the Veteran passed away after the age of 65—whether the death was related to service or not—as a survivor or orphan, you will receive the survivor portion of their post age 65 Income Replacement Benefit for your lifetime.
Related programs
Death Benefit: Recognizes the impact that a CAF member's service-related death has on the immediate family.
Vocational assistance: Eligible spouses and survivors can find help to build skills and education.
Educational assistance for children: Post-secondary financial assistance for children of a deceased Veteran or CAF member.