Death & Disability Benefits, Programs & Services
Guide
Section 1: Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Reestablishment and
Compensation Act (CFMVRCA)
References: Pension Act, DAOD 5018-2, CFAO 24-6, 212-1
General
CF Members/Veterans may be eligible for benefits under the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (CFMVRCA). This is commonly referred to as the New Charter.
The Job Placement Program is available to members of the Regular Force who have completed basic training and to Reservists who have completed an operational deployment or have been employed in the Reserves on a full-time basis for a period of at least two years (21 out of 24 consecutive months). Some services are available to still-serving members. Veterans of the Regular Force must apply to the program within two years after release while Reservists must apply within two years of becoming eligible for the program.
Released CF members and their family members have access to the VAC Assistance Service, which is a voluntary and confidential counselling service delivered through a nation-wide team of counselors and accessed initially through a toll-free line. This program is similar to the Canadian Forces Members Assistance Program (CFMAP) which is offered to members while they are serving.
If a member is medically released or suffers an illness or injury as a result of service, they may be eligible for:
- Rehabilitation Program including medical, psychosocial and vocational assistance (available upon release from the military);
- Financial Benefits Program (available upon release from the military);
- Health Benefits Program (PSHCP) (available upon release from the military);
- Disability Awards (a member can apply while still-serving or any time after release).
Case Management
VAC identifies Veterans and their families who are in transition in their lives and builds a problem solving relationship with them to assist them to successfully navigate the transition. The case management relationship is a coordinated, organized and collaborative process that ensures that clients and their families with complex needs have access to timely and appropriate resources and necessary supports, and optimizes their level of independence and quality of life. In the event of serious injury or death, VAC will work closely with the DND Assisting Officer and/or the CF Case Manager to provide the necessary supports.
Rehabilitation Program
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides a comprehensive Rehabilitation Program by offering services, to eligible clients that restore the Veteran's ability to function in his/her home, community and in the workplace. It is available to all medically-releasing CF members (with specific provisions for Reservists), former members with a service-related Rehabilitation Need, and certain survivors and spouses.
The VAC Rehabilitation Program includes Medical, Psycho-social and Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Medical Rehabilitation - provides medical treatment to stabilize and restore basic physical and psychological functioning.
- Psycho-social Rehabilitation - provides interventions to restore independent functioning and to facilitate social adjustment with family and community.
- Vocational Rehabilitation - provides assistance to identify and achieve an appropriate vocational goal, given the person's health, education, skills and experience. Vocational Assistance includes training, job finding skills and job placement.
Services are provided through a network of local medical, psycho-social and vocational rehabilitation providers.
VAC will provide case management services to Veterans and their families who are in transition in their lives and build a problem solving relationship with them to assist them to successfully navigate the transition. The case management relationship is a coordinated, organized and collaborative process that ensures that clients and their families with complex needs have access to timely and appropriate resources and necessary supports, and optimizes their level of independence and quality of life.
Financial Benefits Program
CF Veterans approved for the Rehabilitation Program may also have access to the Financial Benefit Program. This includes the Earnings Loss Benefits (while participating in the Rehabilitation Program and/or when permanently incapacitated), the Supplementary Retirement Benefits, the Permanent Impairment Allowance, and the Canadian Forces Income Support.
The Job Placement Program
CF members preparing for release, from the Regular Force, CF Veterans who released from the Regular Force within the last two years and certain CF reservists are also eligible to apply for the Job Placement Program. This program is specifically aimed at members releasing from the Regular Force under the “Voluntary” and “Service Completed” categories and at reservists who have completed an operational deployment or have completed two years of full-time service in the Reserves. The program provides practical assistance in finding civilian employment. The program has three components: Job Search Training, Job Finding Assistance, and Career Counselling.
- Workshops (2 day) that members can attend at any point in their career without applying to VAC. The Workshops include:
- Resume building exercises – including converting military terminologies and experiences into civilian terms
- Identification of transferable skills information
- Interview techniques and negotiation strategies
- Job search techniques
- Change management strategies
- Self-marketing
- One-on-One Career Counselling
- Identify interests and transferable skills
- Build an individualized job search strategy
- Assess opportunities to determine right “fit”
- Manage the first 90 days of a new job
- Explore self-employment or retirement planning
- 3. Job-Finding Assistance
- Assist clients in identifying employment opportunities and preparing for interviews
- Market veterans as potential employees
- Develop and maintain data on regional trends in the job market
If the Veteran is eligible for the Rehabilitation Program, associated job placement services will be provided through the Rehabilitation Plan.
Disability Awards
CF members can apply for a disability award while they are still-serving or after they are released. The Disability Award is a tax-free lump-sum payment based on the extent of the disability. Existing pensioners in receipt of a disability pension will continue to receive monthly pensions for conditions under the Pension Act. New applications for new conditions will be processed under the Disability Award Program except in circumstances where the assessment is linked with an existing condition pensioned under the Pension Act.
A Disability Award will not be payable in respect of a condition for which a member/Veteran is in receipt of a disability pension under the Pension Act
Health Benefits Program
Former CF members who are approved for the Service Income Security Insurance Program (SISIP) Long Term Disability or who are approved for VAC's Rehabilitation Program are eligible for the Health Benefits Program if they are not otherwise eligible for the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) and can obtain coverage for themselves and their family.
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
Released CF members and their family members also have access to the VAC Assistance Service which is a voluntary and confidential counselling service delivered through a nation-wide team of counsellors and accessed initially through a toll-free line. This program is similar to the Canadian Forces Members Assistance Program (CFMAP) which is offered to members while they are serving.
Other Programs
CF members and/or Veterans may also be eligible for:
- Treatment Benefits for conditions for which a Disability Pension or Disability Award has been granted and as required as part of the Rehabilitation Plan;
- The Veterans Independence Program (if these services are not available to the individual as members or former members of the CF);
- Long-term care may also be available in a community facility relating to the condition for which they have been granted a Disability Award.
Children of Deceased Veterans Education Assistance Act
The Children of Deceased Veteran Education Assistance Act provides the authority for the Education Assistance Program (EAP). This program provides post-secondary education assistance to those children of deceased veterans who have died as the result of military service or who were pensioned at 48% or greater at the time of death. Assistance may be provided for four years or thirty-six academic months, whichever is less. Qualified clients must enter the program before they are 25 and assistance cannot be extended beyond the year in which they turn 30.
Additional Information
Additional Information is available in the following VAC publications and can be obtained through VAC Offices:
- At your Service;
- Support for CF Families;
- The New Veterans Charter Services and Benefits;
- VAC Assistance Service;
- Veteran Affairs Canada Health Care Benefits;
- Veterans Affairs Exchange of Information with the Department of National Defence;
- Veterans Affairs In Service to the Canadian Forces; and
- Veterans Affairs Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and War-Related Stress;
- Veterans Independence Program.
Application
Applications for VAC programs must be made in writing and should include any information that is necessary to determine eligibility.
For further information or to obtain an application form, please contact either your VAC toll free at 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French), or visit VAC on-line at www.vac-acc.gc.ca .
