| Introduction: |
In recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadians in this nation's wars and peacekeeping efforts, Canada offers a wide range of services and benefits to qualified veterans and certain civilians, as well as to their dependants or survivors.
Veterans Affairs Canada provides disability pensions, economic support allowances, and additional benefits in the areas of health care, funeral and burial assistance and commemoration, among others, designed to meet the changing needs of veterans.
Two organizations are involved in the provision of veteran's benefits:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada offers personalized counselling on available services and benefits, including explanations of eligibility criteria, needs assessment, advocacy, health and safety education, case management and coordination.
The Department also helps people prepare applications for benefits, rules on their eligibility and delivers benefits to those who qualify.
Within the Department, the Bureau of Pensions Advocates provides free legal assistance in the form of counselling, case preparation and representation for appeals.
The Veterans Review and Appeal Board
The Veterans Review and Appeal Board is an independent tribunal that hears appeals, at two levels, on disability pension applications that receive unfavourable decisions at the departmental level.
It is also the final level of appeal on all allowance decisions.
The following is a short description of services and benefits provided by Veterans Affairs.
| Disability Pensions: |
Canadian Forces and Merchant Navy veterans of the First or Second World War or the Korean War, and current or former members of the Regular or Reserve Forces who suffer from a service-related medical condition may qualify for a disability pension.
Civilians who served in close support of the Armed forces during wartime may also qualify.
Veterans and certain civilians who were incarcerated or avoided capture by the enemy may receive Prisoner of War compensation.
Veterans of Allied Forces may also be entitled to pensions and compensation if they lived in Canada prior to their service in the First or Second World War.
Additional benefits may be awarded if the veteran has a spouse or dependants, or both.
Special Awards
Survivors' Pensions
Generally, for one yar following the death of a disability pensioner, the surviving spouse receives the same monthly amount that was in payment to the pensioner at the time of death. At the end of the one-year period, the surviving spouse will receive a survivor pension. Dependent children may also be eligible for benefits.
How to Apply
Application for disability pensions and related benefits can be made by contacting the nearest Veterans Afair s Canada District Office. Departmental staff will assist with the preparation and submission of applications. Assistance is also available at no cost from veteran's organizations, such as The Royal Canadian Legion and the War Amputations of Canada.
Reviews and Appeals
Applicants who are dissatisfied with a ruling made by Veterans Affairs Canada concerning a disability pension and who have new evidence, may ask the Department to review its decision.
Applicants also have the option of requesting that their case be heard by a review panel of the Veterans Review and Apppeal Board.
At this level, hearings are held across the country on questions of an applicant's right to a disability pension or the amount of pension.
If the decision of the review panel is still unsatisfactory to applicants, cases can be heard by the appeal panel of the Board.
The Bureau of Pensions Advocates provides free legal assistane to applicants throughout the review and appeal process before the Board.
The Bureau's Head Office is located in Charlottetown P.E.I where lawyers provide assistance at appeal panels.
Bureau lawyers working in 17 District Offices located in major centres across Canada assist with review panels.
| Allowances: |
Veterans and certain civilians who meet income, service, age or health, and residency requirements may be eligible to receive an allowance and related benefits.
Allied veterans of the First or Second World War may also be eligible to receive benefits if they were domiciled in Canada when they joined the Armed Forces.
Allowances are paid at single, married or orphan rates.
An additional amount may be paid for dependent children.
Survivors' Allowances
Widows, widowers and orphans of qualified veterans and civilians may also be eilgible for an allowance.
Following the death of an allowance recipient, the surviving spouse receives payment at the married rate for one year.
After that, the spouse may qualify for the single rate of allowance.
Assistance Fund
When funding is not available from other sources, allowance recipients may receive financial help fro emergencies such as shelter and health care.
How to Apply
For information on allowances, contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Canada Regional Office. For information on the Assistance fund, contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Canada District Office.
Reviews and Appeals
Applicants who are dissatisfied with a department decision concerning an allowance may ask to have their case reviewed by the Department.
Applicants still dissatisfied with decisions on allowances may appeal to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
Lawyers from the Bureau of Pensions Advocates provide free counselling and representation. The Board is the final level of authority on allowance matters.
| Health Care: |
Veterans Independence Program (VIP)
The goal of this program is to help eligible veterans and certain civilians remain healthy and independent in their own homes or communities.
Under VIP, the Department contributes to the payment of services such as grounds maintenance, housekeeping, meals-on-wheels, personal care, care by health professionals, transportation for social activities and nursing home care.
Treatment Benefits
Treatment benefits may include medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations, supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment, and other community health care services and benefits.
Palliative and respite care may also be provided.
Income-qualified veterans and certain civilians may be eligible for treatment benefits not provided under a provincial health insurance plan.
Disability pensioners receive treatment for their pension condition.
Long-term Care
Long-term care is provided in departmental or community facilities for eligible veterans and certain civilians.
How to Apply
For information on health care services and benefits, contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Canada District Office.
Appeals
Applicants dissatisfied with a decision concerning an application for health care benefits may appeal in writing to the Department.
| Information & Advice |
Regional and District Office staff provide information and advice about Veterans Affairs services and benefits as well as community and other programs. Counsellors and health professionals help meet the needs of eligible veterans and certain civilians using both departmental and community programs.
| Other Programs & Activities |
In addition to the services and benefits described above, help may also be availiable in the following areas:
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Assistance with funeral and burial expenses and the provision of grave markers in cases where the estate's assets are insufficient or death is related to military service or a pensioned condition
Trust of benevolent funds for needy veterans and dependants
Assistance to needy Canadian veterans overseas
Commemoration and remembrance
Foreign Countries Operations Unit is responsible for the provision of benefits and services available to eligible Canadian veterans and their dependants who reside or vacation outside of Canada.
Telephone:
Canada and the USA:
Toll Free: 1-888-996-2242
Other Countries: (613) 996-2242
| Other Publications: |
Veterans Affairs Canada has produced separate publications on some of the services and benefits described in this pamphlet, as well as a selection of booklets on the sacrifices and accomplishments of Canadians in wartime. To obtain copies or for more information, contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Canada District Office.
