Dependents of a rescuer who has died while performing an act of good citizenship may receive benefits and services to help them through the trying times experienced as a result.

What is a dependent?

A dependent is anyone for whom the rescuer could claim a total or partial tax credit or a deduction for alimony at the time of the act of good citizenship. The following may be dependants:

• the rescuer’s spouse;
• anyone from whom the rescuer is separated or divorced and who, at the time of the act of good citizenship, was entitled to alimony under a court order or agreement;
• adopted or biological children under 18 years of age;
• adopted or biological children over 18 years of age who are attending an educational institution fulltime or are disabled; and
• any other person who acts as a parent to the rescuer or to whom the latter acts as a parent and who, at the time of the act of good citizenship, was living totally or partially from the rescuer’s income.