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.
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.