Services and Benefits. Date, Place

Transcription

1 Services and Benefits Date, Place 1

2 Objectives of the Presentation To provide information on who Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) serves. To provide an overview of VAC s benefits and services available to Veterans. 2 2

3 VAC s Mission To provide services and benefits that respond to the needs of Veterans and their families, in recognition of their services to Canada; and, to keep alive the memory of their achievements and sacrifices for all Canadians. 3 3

4 Clientele War Service Veterans and Civilians Veterans of Canadian and Allied Forces, including certain Merchant Navy Veterans who served during Second World War & Korea. Canadian Civilian groups who closely supported Armed Forces in wartime. Survivors Spouses, dependants and caregivers of deceased Veterans. 4 4

5 Clientele (cont d) Canadian Armed Forces members, modern-day Veterans and their families Veterans of post-korea. Members still serving in the military. Spouses and children of modern-day CAF Veterans. RCMP VAC adjudicates and administers payment of disability benefits for retired and still-serving regular and civilian members. Canadians Youth, educators, voluntary/community-based groups, and the public involved in remembrance activities. 5 5

6 Who VAC Serves War Service 25,016 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) 93,123 Survivors 61,976 RCMP 12,482 Total 192,597 Average age of CAF Veterans: 60 CAF Veterans with service in Afghanistan: 14,978 CAF Veterans with disability benefits related directly to Afghanistan: 9,357 VAC serves 130,621 Veterans out of Canada s total Veteran population of 658,400 Source: VAC Facts and Figures Book, March /21/11 6

7 Modern-day Veterans: the New Veterans Charter Anyone who served after April 1, 1947 excluding the Korean War service, may be eligible for benefits under the New Veterans Charter, including the Disability Benefit, the Rehabilitation Program and Financial Benefit Programs. May be eligible for Health Care Program Treatment Benefits, Veterans Independence Program, and Long Term Care. May also be eligible for disability pension. 7 7

8 War Service Veterans and Civilians: Benefits, Awards and Services Case Management Services Disability Pensions Special Awards/Allowances Prisoner of War Compensation War Veterans Allowance Treatment Benefits 8 8

9 War Service Veterans and Civilians: Benefits, Awards and Services Veterans Independence Program Long Term Care Pastoral Outreach Program Trust Funds Funeral and Burial Program Canada Remembers Program (available to all Canadians) 9 9

10 Case Management Services Available to all VAC clients. Client-centered service approach, based on individual needs. Levels of service: information and benefit processing support and assistance case management to support Veterans and their families with complex health and re-establishment needs 10 10

11 Disability Pensions VAC s disability pension is a monetary payment paid under the authority of the Pension Act to compensate for a service-related death or permanent disability. It is not income tested, nor subject to income tax

12 Disability Pension - Entitlement Based on relationship between military service and disability. Awarded in fifths - 1/5 to 5/5 entitlement. Additional pension is payable on behalf of spouse and dependants (application required) if pension award is 5% or more. Consequential claims - awarded for a disability that is a consequence of a service-related injury or disease

13 Disability Pension - Assessment Relates to the level and the extent of the disability. Ranges between 0% and 100%; Based on VAC's Table of Disabilities to ensure similar assessments are awarded for similar disabilities. The pensionable assessment determines the rate of pension payable

14 Disability Pension - Payable Pension assessments between 1% and 4% result in a one-time lumpsum payment - there is no monthly pension, no additional pension. Pension assessments of 5% or more result in a monthly pension and eligibility for additional pension on behalf of a spouse/common-law partner, and/or dependent children

15 Pension Act Benefits - Survivors When a disability pensioner dies, the survivor may receive, for a period of one year, the same pension and/or POW compensation amount (including Attendance Allowance and Exceptional Incapacity Allowance, if applicable) being paid to the pensioner at the time of death. After one year, a survivor's pension will automatically be paid. If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid at a rate of 48% or greater, the survivor is entitled to a full survivor's pension (threequarters of the basic pension paid to a single pensioner at the 100% rate)

16 Pension Act Benefits - Survivors If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid between the 5% and 47% rate, the survivor is entitled to a proportionate survivor's pension (equal to one-half the disability pension in payment at the time of death). If the deceased pensioner had been supporting parents, brothers or sisters who are now without adequate means of support, these dependants may be awarded a pension

17 Special Awards/Allowances Attendance Allowance - pensioned, totally disabled and in need of attendance. Clothing Allowance - pensioned, wear and tear on clothing. Exceptional Incapacity Allowance - pensioned 98% or more, or a combination of pension and POW compensation at 98% or more, incapacitated by pensioned disability. Treatment Allowance - pensioned, pension increased to 100% during acute flare-ups of pensioned condition

18 Prisoner of War Compensation A Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces or Canadian Merchant Mariner, who was a prisoner of war for 30 days or more, or who evaded capture or escaped from the enemy for 30 days or more, may be entitled to compensation under the Pension Act. Compensation may also be paid to members of Allied Forces who were domiciled in Canada or Newfoundland at the time of enlistment in the First or Second World War, and to some civilians who served in support of the Canadian Armed Forces

19 War Veterans Allowance Created to assist those who were unable to obtain assistance under the Disability Pension legislation. Form of financial assistance that ensure qualified Veterans or civilians and their survivors receive a guaranteed monthly income. Amount of WVA available to be paid is based on an income test in which most regular income must be considered. Department can supplement a recipient's other income up to an income ceiling set by law. 1919

20 War Veterans Allowance - Eligible Clients Canadian and Allied Veterans of World War II and Korea. Civilians who served overseas in support of the Armed Forces during war time. Surviving spouses/common-law partners and orphans of qualified Veterans or civilians. 2020

21 Health Care VAC s Health Care Program includes: Treatment Benefits, as well as travel costs, escort remuneration, treatment allowances, and miscellaneous benefits Veterans Independence Program Long-term Care 2121

22 Treatment Benefits- Eligibility Disability Pension/Award recipients o Benefits that are needed for the treatment of a pensioned condition o Some clients receive benefits for any condition* Income Support recipients o Benefits for any condition* * To the extent that coverage is not otherwise available from the provincial health care system. 2222

23 Treatment Benefits - Programs of Choice 1. Aids to daily living 2. Ambulance services 3. Audio services 4. Dental services 5. Hospital services 6. Medical services 7. Medical supplies 8. Nursing services 9. Oxygen services 10. Prescription drugs 11. Prostheses and Orthoses 12. Related health services 13. Special Equipment 14. Vision care services 2323

24 Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Services and Benefits include: Housekeeping Grounds maintenance Personal care services Access to nutrition services Health and support services Ambulatory (out-patient) health care Transportation Home adaptations Intermediate care 2424

25 VIP Eligibility (Veterans) You may qualify for VIP if you have a health-related need for the services, and are: a disability client who needs VIP as a result of your disability entitlement a wartime (Second World War and Korean War) pensioner with a disability pensioned at 48 percent or higher a disability client with a number of health conditions that together with your disability entitlement places you at risk 25 25

26 VIP Eligibility (Veterans) (cont d) You may qualify for VIP if you have a health-related need for the services, and are: a low-income wartime Veteran or overseas civilian totally disabled former prisoner of war or detention benefit recipients an Overseas Service Veteran who is awaiting placement in Long Term Care Canada Service Veterans 26 26

27 VIP Eligibility (Primary Caregivers) An individual may qualify for VIP housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services if they were the primary caregiver of a Veteran who was receiving these services at the time he/she passed away or was admitted to a long-term care facility. Most primary caregivers are spouses or common-law partners, but adult children or other individuals may also qualify. The individual must need the services to remain independent in their home but their health prevents them from doing these tasks (housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance)

28 VIP Eligibility (Survivors) A survivor is the adult individual who immediately before the Veteran died or was admitted to a health care facility, was primarily responsible, without remuneration, for ensuring care was provided to the Veteran, and for a continuous period of at least one year resided in the principal residence of the Veteran and maintained the Veteran or was being maintained by the Veteran. The survivor must also have a low income or disability: Low income: in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), or Disability: approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) under section of the Income Tax Act

29 Long Term Care Objectives To ensure eligible Veterans, once assessed as needing intermediate and/or chronic care, are supported in facilities that meet their health needs. To ensure consistency of support for all Veteran clients in long term care regardless of their province or territory of residence

30 Long Term Care Settings Veterans may receive financial support for long term care in: Community beds in facilities operated by health authorities, private and not-for-profit sectors that provide care to provincial residents, including Veterans. Contract beds in facilities where VAC has agreements with the province, health authority and/or facility for priority access to a designated number of beds. Departmental beds at Ste. Anne s Hospital

31 Long Term Care - Eligibility VAC contributes to the cost of care if specific criteria are met, including the type & location of military service, income, and whether the need for care is linked to a service-related disability. Veterans may be eligible for care in a community, contract, or departmental bed depending on their individual eligibility. Since February 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Health and LTC established 25 specialized beds within the Veterans wing at Perley and Rideau Veterans Health Centre (PRVHC) for community bed eligible Veterans

32 Pastoral Outreach Program Provides spiritual support to Veterans and their families, when the need arises, e.g., end of life issues. Similar to military chaplains providing help to those who are serving. Network of 200 retired military chaplains. Bilingual toll-free line accessible core business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

33 Pastoral Outreach Program Eligibility All Veterans Immediate family of Veterans, depending on circumstances Do not have to be a VAC client 33 33

34 Trust Funds Funds available to Veterans and their dependants, who need financial assistance to overcome emergency situations. Trusts funds are administered by VAC. Benevolent funds are managed by outside organizations (e.g., RCL Poppy Trust Fund) who work closely with VAC

35 Funeral and Burial Program VAC, through the Last Post Fund Corporation, provides funeral, burial and grave marking assistance to eligible Veterans. The program is for: Veterans who die of a service-related disability; or Veterans, with service eligibility, who do not have enough funds to pay for a funeral and burial (means-tested)

36 Canada Remembers Program Outreach to Canadians Veterans Week (November 5 11) National capital and regional events in Canada Overseas events and ceremonies Community Engagement Partnership Fund to support community activities National War Memorial and Vimy + 13 other European memorials Canadian Virtual War Memorial Support for Juno Beach Centre in France Funding of cenotaph/monument restorations and new memorials Care and maintenance of Veterans graves Seven Books of Remembrance Honours and awards 36 36

37 Canada Remembers Program Learning and Public Awareness Learning materials for Veterans Week and educational resources Historical publications and Web site content (e.g. Heroes Remember video archive of personal recollections of Canadian heroes) Vignettes for television Social media, such as Facebook and YouTube 37 37

38 Contact us Click: Call (English) (French) Visit Integrated Personnel Support Centres VAC Area Office Service Canada 38

39 Where to find us 39

40 Questions 40 40