Current and former members of the Canadian Forces and their dependence may qualify for benefits.
They do not need to be a member of the Legion, and applying is the best way to know for what benefits, if any, individuals can qualify.
The Royal Canadian Legion can assist by completing claims through any agency of Veterans Affairs Canada.
Legion officials are concerned veterans and current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and/ or their dependants may not get all the available government support from Veterans Affairs Canada that they need and deserve.
Disability pension
Disabilities incurred during wartime, during duty in a special duty area (UN) or directly related to peacetime service may be pensionable through Veterans Affairs Canada.
Legion service officers can help complete pension applications. They can also assist with appeals to obtain entitlement to a pension or pension increases. Widows of former members may also apply.
War Veterans Allowance (WVA)
This Veterans Affairs Canada income-related program ensures a qualified person receives a minimum monthly income and supportive treatment benefits.
To qualify, men must be at least 60 years old, and women 55, and have served in a theatre of war or receive a wartime disability pension (income from all sources with certain exemptions must be at or below the permissible level, with residency in Canada prior to enlistment). Widows may also apply.
Veterans Independence Program (VIP)
Qualified persons may receive services from Veterans Affairs Canada to enable them to continue to reside in their own homes or apartments by assisting with cost of housekeeping and groundskeeping. The program may also help with costs of long-term care or adult day care charges.
Veterans 65 years of age or older, with particular health needs, who would receive WVA except for the receipt of OAS income qualify for VIP. As do veterans 65 years of age or older with one year of wartime service in Canada who qualify because of their income; pensioners with needs related directly to their pensioned disabilities; and “frail” pensioners who require assistance for non-pensioned condition(s).
Treatment programs
Veterans in receipt of WVA and VIP are generally eligible to receive treatment benefits such as medical, dental, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hearing aids and prosthetic devices, etc.
Disability pensioners may receive treatment for their specific pensioned condition(s). Disability pensioners (with the exception of regular force pensioners who are receiving VIP for a non-SDA disability) in receipt of the VIP program receive full treatment benefits.
Provincial service officers can also help review entitlement to an attendance allowance and other special benefits and also to obtain required treatment needs or aids.
Take notice
Even those who have previously applied for benefits and were denied should re-apply, as their pensioned condition may have worsened over the years.
The Legion can assist with appeals or pension assessment increases.
Widows and widowers may also apply and can now apply for an increase to any rate of pension (below the maximum) in pay at the time of their spouse’s death.
Financial assistance
Benevolent funds are available to assist qualified veterans, ex-servicemen and their spouses and dependants with emergency financial needs that are related to the costs associated with food, shelter and medical care, such as hearing aids, eyeglasses and dental care.
New Veterans Charter
The New Veterans Charter applies to peacetime Canadian Forces Veterans and those still serving in the Canadian Forces.
Information on the Charter can be found at the Veterans Affairs Canada website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
For assistance with applications contact Veterans Affairs Canada or the nearest Royal Canadian Legion Branch Service Officer.
If in doubt, apply anyway.
Anyone interested can also call The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command, 89 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, L4G 4C4 or call 905-841-7999 or fax 905-841-9992.
