Death of a spouse or dependant
Last updated: February 9, 2022
If you're a BC Public Service employee and have lost your spouse or a dependant child, there are benefits and services available to support you and your family.
On this page
- Bereavement and funeral leave
- Short term counselling
- Initiate a life insurance claim
- Update your benefits coverage
- Update your beneficiary
- Resources
- Contact us
Bereavement and funeral leave
Two types of leave help and support you through the loss of a loved one.
Let your supervisor know you need to take bereavement or funeral leave.
Short term counselling
Short term counselling is available free of charge for employees and family members who resided with the deceased spouse or dependant.
To access this service, call 1-800-655-5004.
Initiate a life insurance claim
If you have Optional Spouse and Dependant Group Life Insurance or the optional family funeral benefit, please call AskMyHR: 1-877-277-0772 (option 1) or submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Leaving the Public Service > Death of an Employee
We will assist you with all the needed paperwork.
Update your benefits coverage
Please see table below for the applicable forms to update your benefits coverage.
BCGEU employees can also find forms in:
- Employee Self Service: access from home (ESS) (IDIR restricted)
- Employee Self Service: access from work (ESS) (IDIR restricted)
| Benefit | Task | Bargaining unit employees | Excluded employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Health and Dental Plan | Remove spouse or dependant from coverage | Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form (PDF, 378KB) | Flexible Benefits Enrolment/Change (PDF, 423KB) |
| Change coverage options | N/A | Flexible Benefits Enrolment/Change (PDF, 423KB) | |
| Group Life Insurance | Change beneficiary | Group Life Beneficiary Designation (PDF, 174KB) | Group Life Beneficiary Designation (PDF, 174KB) - to MyHR and the Pay and Benefits Centre |
Update your beneficiary
To fully update your beneficiary, you need to mail your original Group Life Beneficiary Designation form to the Pay & Benefit Centre.
It's a legal document and your beneficiary will not be updated unless this step is completed.
Send your form to:
Pay and Benefit Service Centre
Block E - 2261 Keating Cross Road
Saanichton BC V8M 2A5
Toll free: 1-877-277-0772
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm PST.
Can’t find what you need? Submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.
If you're a B.C. government employee without an IDIR, call the BC Public Service Agency to submit your service request.
