If you received compensation following a criminal act, you must make your change of address with the Direction de l’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels by telephone, by mail or by fax so that you will receive the RL-5 slip, which must be submitted with your income tax return.
A person injured as a result of a crime committed in Québec may receive compensation and services as provided for under the Crime Victims Compensation Act .
Such compensation and services may include:
- compensation for temporary total disability;
- permanent disability benefits;
- compensation for the maintenance of a child born as a result of a sexual assault;
- reimbursement of medical assistance costs;
- rehabilitation services.
A victim who has sustained material damage may be eligible for financial compensation under certain circumstances.
If the victim dies, compensation may be payable to the victim’s dependants or to his or her parents if he or she was a minor child. The victim’s close relatives may also receive psychotherapeutic rehabilitation services.
Direct deposit
Benefits can be received by direct deposit or by cheque.
Change of address
A person who has filed an application to receive benefits under the Crime Victims Compensation Act must notify the Direction de l'indemnisation des victimes d'actes criminels (IVAC) of any change of address in order to keep his or her file up to date.
Clientele and conditions are discussed in reference to each service as they can vary depending on the service involved.
Compensation for temporary total disability
The victim receives compensation for the period during which he or she is unable to work or carry out most of his or her usual activities.
If the compensation is granted to a person of full age who was employed, the amount is determined on the basis of the person’s salary and is paid every two weeks.
If the compensation is granted to a person of full age who was unemployed, the amount is determined on the basis of the minimum wage and is paid every two weeks.
If the compensation is granted to a minor, it is a fixed amount paid every week.
Permanent disability benefits
These benefits are paid to the victim monthly for life. In some cases, however, they are paid in the form of a lump sum.
The amount of the benefits is determined on the basis of the victim’s degree of permanent physical or mental disability despite treatment.
Compensation for the maintenance of a child born as a result of a sexual assault
This compensation is paid monthly to the mother or the person who is caring for a child born as a result of a sexual assault.
It corresponds to the benefit that is paid to the spouse of a person who dies as a result of a crime and has a dependent child. The benefit is thus equal to 65% of the income replacement indemnity that would have been paid to a victim injured as a result of a crime.
Medical assistance costs
Certain costs may be reimbursed, including those related to:
- ambulance transportation;
- medication;
- travel;
- ortheses or prostheses;
- dental care;
- physiotherapy.
Rehabilitation services
Certain services are offered and certain expenses reimbursed under social and vocational rehabilitation programs, for example:
- professional assistance services (psychotherapy);
- home assistance services;
- moving expenses;
- protection-related expenses (self-defence course, alarm system, etc.);
- training programs, refresher courses, job-search programs, etc.
Any professionals consulted to obtain these services must be members of a recognized professional order.
Compensation for material damage
In some instances, compensation of up to $1,000 may be granted for material damage.
Pension for dependants in the event of death
The amount of this pension is determined on the basis of the victim’s salary.
Note
The pension that is paid to the victim’s spouse may be terminated in certain situations. However, it is paid for a minimum period of five years.
Compensation for the parents of a deceased minor
The amount of the compensation is $2,000.
However, if the parents were not living together at the time of the minor’s death, only the parent who had physical custody of the child is entitled to the compensation.
Reimbursement of funeral expenses or the cost of transporting the body
The person who paid for the victim’s funeral expenses may obtain a reimbursement of $3,362. The amount of the reimbursement is indexed annually.
The person who paid for the cost of transporting the victim’s body may obtain a reimbursement of up to $500.
Payment of psychotherapy expenses in the event of death
The close relatives of the deceased person may receive psychotherapeutic rehabilitation services.
Note
None of the indemnities mentioned above are taxable.
The Crime Victims Compensation Act applies only to criminal acts committed since March 1, 1972.
