Survivors' Income Benefit Overpayments Remitted

Summary#

The government registered the Public Service Income Benefit for Survivors of Employees Slain on Duty Remission Order on March 29, 2023. It cancels the requirement that certain survivors repay benefit overpayments they received because of administrative errors, covering amounts paid before May 31, 2023 (about $350,000 in total).

What it does#

• Cancels (remits) the collection of overpaid amounts paid under the survivors’ income benefit plan to any beneficiary who got those extra payments before May 31, 2023.
• The order responds to errors identified by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and follows the recommendation of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS).
• The problem affected 7 benefit recipients and dates back as far as 2004; the total overpayment is about $350,000.
• The order was made under the Financial Administration Act.

Who's affected#

• The main people affected are the survivors who receive payments under the Public Service Income Benefit Plan for Survivors of Employees Slain on Duty and who were overpaid before May 31, 2023 — specifically 7 identified recipients.
• The plan sponsor (TBS) and the plan administrator (ESDC) are the government bodies involved.
• If you are a different survivor or beneficiary who was not overpaid, this order does not apply to you.

Why it matters#

• Survivors who were overpaid will not be required to repay those past amounts, so they avoid unexpected financial strain.
• The total fiscal impact on the government is relatively small (about $350,000).
• It fixes an administrative error and stabilizes ongoing benefit payments for the affected survivors.