Victims’ close relations and the dependents may receive benefits and services to help them through the trying times experienced as a result of the crime.

What is a Close Relation?

If the victim has died, the following are considered close relations:

• The deceased victim’s spouse
• The deceased victim’s father and mother
• The person standing in loco parentis (acting as a parent) to the deceased victim
• The deceased victim’s child
• The child of the deceased victim’s spouse
• The deceased victim’s brother and sister
• The deceased victim’s grandfather and grandmother
• The child of the spouse of either of the deceased victim’s parents

If the victim is not deceased, he/she may designate as a close relation any of the parties listed above or another person with whom he or she has a meaningful bond and who is able to provide support through the recovery process.​

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What is a Dependent?

A dependent is anyone for whom the victim can claim a total or partial tax credit or a deduction for alimony at the time of criminal act. The following may be dependants:

• the victim’s spouse;
• anyone from whom the victim is separated or divorced and who, at the time of the crime, 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 victim or to whom the victim acts as a parent and who, at the time of the crime, was living totally or partially from the victim’s income.

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