AUTHORITY

Income and Employment Supports Act, section 5(1)(b) and the Schedule, section 10
Income Support, Training and Health Benefits Regulation, Schedule 4, section 25
General Regulation (Funeral Services Act), sections 20 and 36(2)
Cemeteries Act, section 12
General Regulation (Cemeteries Act), sections 12 and 13
Fatality Inquiries Regulation, Schedule, section 3(1)
Ministerial Order 2023-027 - Funeral Benefits

INTENT

To describe what funeral benefits may be provided to eligible low income Albertans, the eligibility criteria for funeral benefits, the applicable benefit rates and the delegated authority for decisions.

This policy is intended for deceased individuals who were not a member of an Income Support or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) household at the time of their death.

POLICY

Funeral benefits are available on behalf of deceased low income Albertans who meet the criteria set out in this policy.

Funeral benefits may be provided for burial or cremation and a funeral in Alberta, including:

• Funeral expenses for burial or cremation;
• A funeral ceremony;
• Embalming, when necessary;
• An additional transportation rate when transportation is required outside the funeral service provider’s municipality, within Alberta; and
• A cemetery plot or other resting place.

 

Or, funeral benefits may be provided for expenses related to transporting the deceased individual to another province or territory, within Canada for burial or cremation.

Funeral Benefit Categories

Funeral Expenses for Burial or Cremation

The following are examples of potential funeral expenses for burial or cremation in Alberta, but it is not a complete list:

• Removal of the deceased individual from the place of death;
• Completion of documents for cremation or burial;
• Providing shelter for the deceased individual until disposition;
• Basic preparation of the deceased individual for identification;
• Professional services;
• Cremation fees;
• A casket and/or an urn;
• Transportation within the funeral service provider’s municipality;
• Administrative costs; and
• Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board fee.

Note: If the expenses for burial or cremation are below the maximum amount provided, other funeral expenses can be included in this category, up to the maximum amount (e.g., additional funds for a ceremony, a headstone).

Funeral Ceremony

Funds may be provided for families and loved ones of the deceased individual to host a basic, dignified funeral service for religious, cultural or spiritual purposes.

The following are examples of ceremony expenses, but it is not a complete list:

Facility rental (e.g., community hall, religious facility, funeral home chapel, cemetery or crematorium);

Honorarium for a religious, cultural or spiritual leader;

Printing an order of service;

Funeral staff;

Equipment;

Refreshments;

Flowers;

Preparation of public notices; and

Vehicle to transport the deceased individual to a ceremony or graveside.

Note: The funds provided for a ceremony can only be used for ceremony expenses. If there is not a ceremony or the cost of a ceremony is below the maximum amount, these funds cannot be used for other funeral expenses (e.g., a more expensive casket).

Embalming

Funds may be provided for embalming when deemed necessary by an embalmer who is licenced under the General Regulation to the Funeral Services Act, section 20.

Note: The funds provided for embalming can only be used for embalming expenses. If embalming is not required or the cost of embalming is below the maximum amount, these funds cannot be used for other funeral expenses (e.g., additional funds for a ceremony, a headstone).

Additional Transportation within Alberta

Funds may be provided, per trip, for transportation and attendant services:

• After 20 kilometers, when travelling outside of the funeral service provider’s municipality, and
• When it is required to transport a deceased individual to a funeral service provider, a ceremony, and/or a crematorium or cemetery.

 

This rate is based on the additional kilometer section of the Fatality Inquiries Regulation, section 3(1) of the Schedule.

Cemetery Fees

Funds may be provided for the following cemetery expenses:

• A single cemetery plot;
• Cemetery perpetual fees;
• A grave liner, when required by a cemetery;
  
  

  Note: grave liners may be provided by a funeral service provider or a cemetery. This cost is included in cemetery fees.
• Grave opening and closing fees; and
• Winter fees, if applicable.

Note: In accordance with the Cemeteries Act, section 12, cemetery burial plots are paid at 50 per cent of the amount that would ordinarily be charged.

Alternatively, funds up to a maximum rate, may be provided to place the deceased individual in an alternate resting place within a cemetery, including a single columbarium niche or a mausoleum crypt.

Transportation of the Deceased Individual to another Province or Territory, within Canada, for Burial or Cremation

Transportation expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing the deceased individual for transport, prior to shipping;
• Hermetically sealed casket or other approved container; and
• Transportation by road and/or by airfreight to another province/territory for burial or cremation.

Definitions for the Relationships to the Deceased Individual

Depending on the relationship to the deceased, an individual may be expected to contribute financially towards the expenses for a burial or cremation and funeral in Alberta or transportation to another province or territory.

Responsible Survivor

A responsible survivor is expected to financially contribute toward the cost of funeral services.

A responsible survivor is defined as:

• The spouse or other cohabiting partner of the deceased individual (providing that the deceased individual and spouse/partner were not separated);
  • A cohabiting partner includes persons in a legal marriage, common-law relationship or any other relationship of interdependence, see the Partners Other Than Spouses policy for more information.
• The legal parents of a deceased child who was living with and dependent for support from the parent and was under the age of 18, or under the age of 20, and enrolled in an education program under the Education Act; or
• The legal sponsor of a sponsored immigrant.

 

There may be more than one responsible survivor, depending on the deceased individual’s situation.

Non-Responsible Survivor

A non-responsible survivor is not required to contribute financially toward funeral expenses.

A non-responsible survivor is any family member, friend, or organization, who is not considered a responsible survivor, who may assist with making funeral service arrangements for the deceased individual.

Depending on who is available to make the arrangements for the deceased individual, the application for funeral benefits may be submitted by a non-responsible survivor.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for funeral benefits, both general and financial eligibility criteria must be met.

General eligibility criteria are related to the deceased individual's residency and status in Canada.

Financial eligibility criteria are related to potential programs that cover funeral expenses, and the financial resources (income) and assets of the estate and any responsible survivors.

General Eligibility

To be eligible for funeral benefits, the deceased individual must be a resident of Alberta and have the following status in Canada:

• Canadian citizen,
• Permanent resident,
• Temporary resident permit holder who has been approved for entry into Canada by the Government of Alberta,
• Refugee or refugee claimant not receiving financial assistance from the Government of Canada, or
• A victim of human trafficking as determined by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Albertan Passes Away Outside of Alberta

If the deceased individual was a resident of Alberta and was temporarily outside of Alberta (less than one month) at their time of passing, they may be eligible for funeral benefits if all other eligibility criteria are met.

If the deceased individual will be interred or permanently laid to rest in Alberta, the funeral benefit for burial or cremation in Alberta may be issued.

If the deceased individual will be buried or cremated in a Canadian province or territory other than Alberta, a transportation benefit will not be provided for the deceased individual to be transported from the place of death to another province or territory other than Alberta.

Financial Eligibility

To be eligible for funeral benefits, there must be no other program that provides for a similar benefit. The income/assets of the estate of the deceased individual, and any responsible survivor, must also meet the applicable eligibility criteria.

Note: If the deceased individual is a sponsored immigrant, the income and assets of the sponsor are also assessed to determine eligibility as a responsible survivor. The assessor completes the process outlined in the Immigration Status – Family Class (Sponsored) policy to report the situation to the federal government.

If the sponsor has abandoned the deceased individual, their income and assets are not used to determine financial eligibility. The assessor should still proceed with the process to report the situation to the federal government.

Income and assets are considered when determining eligibility for funeral benefits.

Note: If there are multiple responsible survivors, the exemptions detailed below apply for each responsible survivor.

Note: If the responsible survivor is the spouse/partner of the deceased individual, the combined income and assets of the couple receive the applicable exemptions for the responsible survivor.

Other Available Programs or Sources

Income Support does not provide funeral benefits if burial or cremation and funeral expenses or transportation to another province or territory are covered by other programs, which may include, but are not limited to:

• Workers Compensation Board benefits, if the deceased individual died due to a work-related accident or occupational disease;
• Victims of Crime Assistance Program, if the deceased individual is eligible under the Victims of Crime and Public Safety Act;
• Motor vehicle accident victim benefits for funeral expenses, if the deceased individual is eligible under the Automobile Accident Insurance Benefits Regulation;
• The Last Post Fund, if the deceased individual was a Canadian Forces veteran;
•  A First Nation Band that has a program to pay for the burial or cremation and funeral expenses of its members living off-reserve; or
• Any other program where the deceased individual meets program eligibility criteria to receive a benefit for the costs of burial or cremation and funeral expenses, or transportation.

Income Support also does not provide a funeral benefit when there is a prepaid funeral where arrangements have been made and paid for prior to the individual passing away.

Note: Contributions to the funeral provided by non-responsible survivors including family members who are not responsible survivors, friends, religious or community organizations or groups, and crowd sourcing accounts, are not considered when determining eligibility for a funeral benefit.

Income

Income is money that becomes available to a household during a monthly benefit period, including but not limited to:

 

• Employment income;
• Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan or other pension income; and
• A life insurance payout.

See the Exempt Income for Responsible Survivors and the Estate of the Deceased policy for information on what income is considered when determining eligibility for funeral benefits.

Any non-exempt income of the estate, and any responsible survivor, will be deducted from the amount of the funeral benefit, after the applicable exemption has been applied:

Estate of the Deceased Individual	Responsible Survivor
In situations where the deceased individual was the single parent of a dependent child(ren) under the age of 18, or under the age of 20, and enrolled in an education program under the Education Act, the following exemption will be applied:	The following exemptions will be applied to any non-exempt income of a responsible survivor. Any remaining non-exempt income will be deducted from the amount of the funeral benefit.
Number of Children Income Exemption Amounts 1 Child $829 Each Additional Child $553	Household Composition Income Exemption Amounts Single Adult, no children $829 Couple, no children $1,327 For Each Child $553
If the deceased individual had multiple dependent children, $553 is added to the initial $829 exemption, for each additional child.	If the household has dependent children, the appropriate exempt amount is added to the applicable single adult or couple amount.

 

 

Canada Pension Plan – Death Benefit

 

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) death benefit is a one-time payment from the federal government for $2,500, payable to the estate or other eligible individuals on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor.

The CPP death benefit is considered non-exempt income by the Income Support program.

To be eligible to receive funeral benefits, the applicant for funeral benefits must agree to assign the CPP death benefit to Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS).

If the CPP death benefit is assigned to SCSS and the value of the funeral benefit issued was less than $2,500, SCSS will only collect the value of the funeral benefit from CPP. The applicant may request the difference by completing an application through Employment and Social Development Canada.

If the applicant applied for the CPP death benefit prior to submitting the application for funeral benefits, the potential value of the payment, $2,500, will be reduced from the funeral benefit payment provided.

If, after the funeral payment was reduced by the CPP death benefit, the applicant is informed that the deceased individual was not eligible for the CPP death benefit, they can provide substantiation to the Health and Funeral Benefits Unit (HFBU) and the remaining value of the funeral benefit will be issued at that time.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is considered non-exempt income when the benefit will go to the estate of the deceased individual or to a responsible survivor. The value of the life insurance benefit is treated as non-exempt income for the deceased individual or responsible survivor(s).

If the beneficiary of the policy was someone other than the estate or a responsible survivor, the income is not considered when determining eligibility for funeral benefits.

Assets

Assets are valuable items, including, but not limited to:

• Liquid assets;
• Real estate;
• Vehicles; and
• Other property.

Liquid assets are cash on hand or cash held in a financial institution or by a third party that must be paid on demand, and readily convertible assets such as stocks and bonds.

Full and partial exemptions are provided for certain assets and liquid assets:

Estate of the Deceased individual	Responsible Survivor
Liquid Assets Generally, any liquid assets held by the estate of the deceased individual will be deducted from the amount of the funeral benefit. Only in the following situation will an exemption be applied: where the deceased individual was the single parent of a dependent child(ren), under the age of 18, or under the age of 20, and enrolled in an education program under the Education Act:	Liquid Assets The following exemptions will be applied to any non-exempt liquid assets of a responsible survivor. Any remaining non-exempt liquid assets will be deducted from the amount of the funeral benefit.
Number of Children Liquid Asset Exemption Amounts 1 Child $2,763 Every Additional Child $1,658	Household Composition Liquid Asset Exemption Amounts Single Adult $2,763 Couple $3,868 For Each Child $1,658
If the deceased individual had multiple dependent children, $1,658 is added to the initial $2,763 exemption, for each additional child.	If the household has dependent children, the appropriate exempt amount is added to the applicable single adult or couple amount.
Other Assets Certain other assets are exempt and are outlined in the Exempt Assets for Responsible Survivors and the Estate of the Deceased policy. If the estate has any non-exempt asset (other than liquid assets), they are not eligible for funeral benefits. See above for the treatment of non-exempt liquid assets.	Other Assets Certain other assets are exempt and are outlined in the Exempt Assets for Responsible Survivors and the Estate of the Deceased policy. If the household has any non-exempt asset, they are not eligible for funeral benefits. See above for the treatment of non-exempt liquid assets.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FUNERAL BENEFITS

The applicant should be the person who is responsible for making arrangements based on their relationship to the deceased individual, in accordance with the list in section 36 of the General Regulation to the Funeral Services Act. This list is in order of priority, with the highest listed person having the right to make funeral arrangements. If the person who has the right to make arrangements is not available, or is unwilling to make arrangements, the right passes to the next person on the list.

An applicant may or may not be a responsible survivor, depending on the relationship to the deceased.

All funeral benefits applications are processed by the HFBU. The application for funeral benefits is located on the Funeral Benefits website.

The application guide linked on the website provides guidance to the family and friends of the deceased individual to assist with determining who is responsible for making arrangements.

The available individual or organization who is making arrangements, in accordance with section 36 of the General Regulation to the Funeral Services Act, is generally the person responsible for submitting the application for funeral benefits.

Preapproval of funeral benefits, where the applicant is informed of the deceased individual meeting eligibility requirements, is encouraged prior to services being completed. This ensures the individual making the arrangements on behalf of the deceased individual is fully aware of whether the deceased individual will be eligible and what is covered.

To receive preapproval, the applicant should submit the application, along with the Official Death Certificate or Funeral Director’s Statement of Death, and the quotes or unpaid invoices, so that staff can determine if the eligibility criteria have been met and notify the applicant of the approval or denial.

Note: If approved, an email with a letter will be sent to the applicant indicating the per trip of funeral benefit that has been approved, up to the maximum rates. The letter will also note any deductions of non-exempt income or liquid assets, if any.

Reimbursement Requests

Reimbursements will be considered if the invoice was paid in full, for up to 6 months after the expenses were incurred, if all eligibility criteria would have been met at the time of the expense, and there was an emergency situation. Emergencies are considered on a case-by-case basis by the HFBU Assessor.

The invoice is considered paid if it was paid in full or if an amount equal to or exceeding the total benefit amount requested was paid prior to the application being submitted.

Consent to Disclose Personal Information

The application form includes a consent section to allow the applicant to name people and organizations, such as a family member or a funeral service provider, to receive information about the status of the funeral benefits application, via a telephone inquiry.

The consent is valid for the period of time that the funeral benefits application is being processed, and expires when the final payment has been made, the benefit is denied, or the application is withdrawn. The consent can be revoked, at any time, in writing.

Directing Payment

Typically, benefits will be issued directly to the service provider(s) as a third party payment.

If the applicant is the spouse/partner of the deceased individual or the parent of a deceased dependent child, the benefit may be issued directly to the applicant, at their request. In this situation, the applicant will be responsible for arranging payment to service providers.

Cemetery fees are generally paid directly to the cemetery as the entity providing the service and should be invoiced separately from funeral service provider fees. In cases where a cemetery does not have the ability to collect these fees and relies on the funeral service provider to collect on their behalf, a funeral service provider may be paid the cemetery fees to coordinate payment.

Special Groups

See the Special Groups policy for information on unique situations including:

• First Nations Persons
• Estates with No Administrator;
• Public Trustee Clients
• Disposition of Deceased Individual’s Remains;
• Unidentified Deceased Persons; and
• Children in Care under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancements Act
  

RATE

When the deceased individual is being buried or cremated in Alberta, the rates for funeral goods and services and cemetery expenses are:

• For funeral expenses for burial or cremation, the actual cost up to $4,421;
• For a funeral ceremony, the actual cost up to $1,000;
• For embalming, the actual cost up to $750;
• For additional transportation and attendant services, the actual cost up to $1.13 per kilometer, after 20 kilometers, when transportation is required outside of the municipality where the funeral service provider is located;
• When an exception request is approved for safe sheltering (storage) after 10 days, the actual cost up to $35 per day; and
• Actual cemetery costs for:
  • A single cemetery plot, plus cemetery perpetual fees, a grave liner, when required by the cemetery, grave opening and closing fees and winter fees.
  • For an alternate resting place, including a single columbarium niche or mausoleum crypt, the actual cost up to $3,000.

Note: In accordance with the Cemeteries Act, section 12, cemetery burial plots are paid at 50 per cent of the amount that would ordinarily be charged.

When the deceased individual is being transported outside of Alberta to another province or territory in Canada for burial or cremation, the rates for preparation and transportation are:

• Actual cost of preparing the deceased individual for transport remains prior to shipping, including embalming, a hermetically sealed casket (if required) or other approved metal container; and
• Actual reasonable cost of transportation by road and/or by airfreight. Least cost alternative will be considered when determining the mode of transportation.

Note: Any non-exempt income or liquid assets will be deducted from the funeral benefit amount.

Exception Requests

Ministerial Order 2023-027 outlines the maximum rates that have been set by the Minister for funeral benefits. Typically these rates cannot be exceeded.

In exceptional and necessary circumstances where the maximum benefit rates are insufficient, additional amounts may be provided based on the reasons for the request and related substantiation.

The applicant must complete the Funeral Benefits – Request for an Exceptional Amount form. Requests to exceed the benefit maximums will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the appropriate delegated authority. Examples of exceptions may include:

• Additional costs due to health and/or safety reasons, such as bioseals;
• Safe sheltering (storage) of a deceased individual for more than 10 days. An exception for safe sheltering may be provided starting the 11th day that safe sheltering is provided for the deceased individual; or
• Alternate resting places above the rate limit.

 

The following criteria are considered for these requests:

• The burial or cremation and funeral expenses cannot be met by the maximum rate due to extraordinary circumstances;
• The expenses are considered necessary and essential for cremation or burial and funeral services;
• There are no other means to pay; and
• The least cost alternative is considered.

 

A decision for a benefit in excess of the rates is not appealable.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY

HFB Assessor – eligibility for a funeral benefit, including reimbursement for expenses not authorized in advance.

Director or Manager, Common Service Delivery (CSD) – for funeral expenses exceeding the maximum funeral benefit rates.

SUBSTANTIATION

Required documentation

• Proof of identification of the applicant.
• Proof of identification and address of the deceased individual.
• Official Death Certificate or Funeral Director’s Statement of Death.
• Proof of the deceased individual’s citizenship or status in Canada.
• 30-day bank statement for the deceased individual as proof of the income source, the amount of income and their liquid assets.
• Quotes or unpaid invoices for:
  • Funeral and burial or cremation expenses, including a breakdown of the funds for a ceremony, embalming, additional transportation within Alberta, and cemetery fees; or
  • Finalized quotes or unpaid invoices for transportation expenses to another province or territory in Canada.

Documentation depending on situation:

• Proof of denial from a program if the deceased individual may have been eligible for funding from that program.
• Completed Request for Estimate – CPP Death Benefit form, unless the CPP death benefit was applied for prior to submitting the Funeral Benefit Application.
• Proof of the value of a life insurance policy for the deceased individual if the estate or a responsible survivor was the beneficiary.
• Documents showing the deceased had a prepaid funeral.
• Any other verification of income and assets of the deceased individual.
• 30-day bank statement for the responsible survivor(s) as proof of the source of income, the amount of income and their liquid assets.

Required documentation if requesting an exceptional amount

• A completed Funeral Benefits – Request for an Exceptional Amount form.
• Quotes/invoices and other relevant documents showing all the funeral costs, as well as any additional fees, associated with this request.

   

PROCEDURE

HFB Administrative Clerk:

1. Check CCD and generate a PID, as necessary.

HFB Assessor:

Eligibility Review

1. Searches in Compass to determine if the deceased individual is in the system and, if not, registers the deceased individual as a new client.
2. Reviews the application form and substantiation documents to determine if the applicant is eligible for the benefit, including confirming the following:
   1. Has the applicant’s identity been verified?
   2. Is the applicant the most appropriate person to be making funeral arrangements?
   3. Has the Official Death Certificate or Funeral Director’s Statement of Death been provided?
   4. Has the deceased individual’s identity, residency in Alberta, and status in Canada been verified?
   5. Are there other programs available to cover the cost of the funeral?
   6. Did the deceased individual have a prepaid funeral or life insurance?
   7. Does the deceased individual have any estate income, liquid assets or assets available, after exemptions are applied (if necessary)?
   8. If there is a responsible survivor(s), do they have income, liquid assets, or assets available, after exemptions are applied?
   9. Does the application form have a valid signature?
      
      Note: a handwritten signature is required.
      
      
3. If the request is for a reimbursement for burial or cremation and funeral or transportation expenses that occurred prior to receiving preapproval for the benefit:
   1. Ensures that the service occurred within the past six months, and
   2. Reviews the paid invoice(s) and the emergency circumstances, as provided by the applicant.
4. Reviews the quotes or unpaid invoices.
   1. Confirms that the applicant is the person named on the invoice. This ensures the applicant is the appropriate person to make the funeral arrangements.
   2. Reviews the invoice for each funeral benefit category to ensure the items are appropriate for each category:
      1. Funeral expenses for burial or cremation;
      2. Funeral ceremony;
      3. Embalming;
      4. Additional transportation within Alberta:
         • Validates, per trip, the transportation was necessary, the rate charged is at or below the maximum set in policy and that the distance was accurate (based on the rate charged); and
      5. Cemetery or alternate resting place fees; or
      6. Transportation to another province or territory within Canada.
   3. If the invoice is for an amount in excess of the maximum rates and the applicant submitted an exception request form, collects the information for an exception and submits it to the CSD Director or Manager for consideration.
5. If a decision cannot be made due to missing information:
   1. Records the missing information in Comments;
   2. Sends an Information Missing Letter, by email and then by mail, to the applicant detailing what additional information is required; and
   3. Provides a due date of seven days for the missing information to be submitted.
6. Once additional information is provided, return to Step 2.
7. If additional information is not provided within the timeline provided, proceed to Step 9 to deny the benefit.
8. Determines if the applicant is eligible for a funeral benefit:
   1. If the applicant is eligible for the full funeral benefit amount, without a partial payment:
      1. Records the following in Comments:
         • The type of benefit approved;
         • The conditions that support issuing the benefit;
         • The substantiation or verification provided;
         • The amount of the benefit issued;
         • How the payments were directed if there is more than one service provider; and
         • The period of assistance (POA) the benefit is issued for.
      2. Sends the Approval Letter, by email and then by mail, to the applicant who is making funeral arrangements.
      3. Arranges payment to the funeral service provider and cemetery (if applicable).
   2. If the applicant is eligible for a funeral benefit with a partial payment:
      1. Contacts the applicant to explain the deduction amount and the reason for the partial payment.
      2. Confirms how the partial payment should be directed, if more than one service provider will be paid.
      3. Records the following in Comments:
         • The type of benefit approved;
         • The amount of deductions based on the Canada Pension Plan death benefit, if it has already been applied for, and/or the income and liquid assets of the deceased individual’s estate and/or responsible survivor;
         • The conditions that support issuing the benefit;
         • The substantiation or verification provided;
         • The amount of the benefit issued;
         • How the payments were directed if there is more than one service provider; and
         • The period of assistance (POA) the benefit is issued for.
      4. Sends the Approval Letter, by email and then by mail, to the applicant who is making funeral arrangements.
         • The letter states the deduction amount.
      5. Arranges payment to the funeral service provider and cemetery (if applicable).

   Note: if the applicant is the spouse/partner or parent of the deceased individual, they may request to receive payment directly to arrange payments to service providers.
   Note: if a reimbursement request is approved, the applicant may receive the payment directly.

9. If not eligible,

   1. Records the decision in Comments, including the reason(s) for the denial.

   2. Sends out a Denial Letter, by email and then by mail, to advise the applicant of the decision, providing the reason(s) for the denial, and advising of the right to provide additional information and to appeal the decision.
      

   Note: if a cheque was issued to the applicant and the applicant advises they have not received the cheque or that they provided the incorrect mailing address, see the Stop Payment on Printed Cheques policy.

Exception Requests

1. If the applicant has completed the Funeral Benefits – Request for an Exceptional Amount form and has provided substantiation, submits it to the CSD Director or Manager for consideration.
2. If approved for an exceptional amount:
   1. Records the following in Comments:
      1. The amount of the benefit issued;
      2. The period of assistance (POA) the benefit is issued for; and
      3. The rationale provided by the decision maker.
   2. Arranges payment to the funeral service provider and the cemetery (if applicable).
      Note: if the applicant is the spouse/partner or parent of the deceased individual, they may request to receive payment directly to arrange payment to service providers.
      Note: if a reimbursement request is approved, the applicant may receive the payment directly.
   3. If not approved for an exceptional amount:
      1. Records the rationale in comments.

CSD Director or Manager:

1. When requested by the applicant, reviews requests for exceptions above the funeral benefit rates.
2. Communicates their decision to the HFBU Assessor:
   1. If approved, the CSD Director or Manager sends an approval letter to the applicant, by email and then by mail:
      1. Advising them of the decision;
      2. Providing confirmation of the amount of additional funds approved;
      3. Advising them of the right to provide additional information if they do not agree with the amount approved; and
      4. Explaining the decision is exempt from appeal to an Appeal Panel.
   2. If not approved, the CSD Director or Manager notifies the Assessor of the decision and sends a denial letter to the applicant, by email and then by mail:
      1. Advising them of the decision;
      2. Providing the reason(s) for the denial of the additional funds requested;
      3. Advising of the right to provide additional information if they do not agree with the decision; and
      4. Explaining that the decision is exempt from appeal to an Appeal Panel.

Central Payment and Data Entry (CPDE) Administrative Clerk:

1. Generate payment based on the Need Codes provided by the HFB Assessor
   1. 1970 – Funerals – Basic Service
   2. 1971 – Funerals – Transportation
   3. 1975 – Funerals – Cemetery Plot
   4. 1976 – Funerals – Cremation