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Appendix B – Eligibility for VAC Financial Benefits

Appendix B – Eligibility for VAC Financial Benefits

This report addresses four financial benefits administered under the Financial Benefits Program which have different eligibility requirements. Eligibility is assessed after VAC receives a complete and signed application form for the benefit.

Earnings Loss Benefit

Veterans

Veterans who are determined to require a rehabilitation plan or a vocational assistance plan under the Rehabilitation Program are eligible for the Earnings Loss Benefit.

Survivors and Orphans

If a member or Veteran dies as the result of a service related injury or disease, or a non-service related injury or disease that was aggravated by service, and whose death occurred on or after April 1, 2006, their survivors or orphans are eligible for this benefit. The Earnings Loss Benefit is apportioned between survivors and orphans.

Permanent Impairment Allowance

A Veteran is eligible for the Permanent Impairment Allowance Benefit if they have one or more physical or mental health problems that are creating a permanent and severe impairmentFootnote 46, and the Veteran has, in respect of each of those health problems,

  1. had an application for rehabilitation services approved; and
  2. received a disability award or a disability pension, or would have received an award or pension but has not as the sum of the Veteran’s assessments and deemed assessments exceeds 100%, or has not received a disability award as the disability has not yet stabilized.

A Veteran who has received or is receiving an exceptional incapacity allowance under the Pension Act is not eligible to be paid a Permanent Impairment Allowance Benefit.

Permanent Impairment Allowance Supplement

A Veteran is eligible for the Permanent Impairment Allowance Supplement if they are in receipt of PIA and have been determined to be “totally and permanently incapacitated".

Canadian Forces Income Support

Veterans

A Veteran must meet 6 criteria in order to be eligible for the Canadian Forces Income Support

  1. Is no longer entitled to the Earnings Loss BenefitFootnote 47.
  2. Applies within 6 months from the termination of their Earnings Loss Benefit.
  3. The household income does not exceed the applicable CFIS rate.
  4. Served in the Canadian Forces during non-wartime periods.
  5. Is a resident of Canada.
  6. If under age 65, is actively searching for employment and is willing to accept employment that is available in the local labour market for which they are reasonably qualified by reason of their education or is participating in a career transition service program approved by the Minister. Those over 65 are not required to actively seek employment or participate in career transition services.

Survivors

Survivors, who are residents of Canada, of Veterans whose death is not the result of an injury or disease related to, or aggravated by, service, and whose death occurred on or after April 1, 2006, are eligible for CFIS if the Veteran had been in receipt of CFIS at the time of their death, and the survivor meets criteria 3 and 6 above as identified for Veterans. The survivor must apply for CFIS within 6 months of the Veteran’s death unless the survivor is able to provide a reasonable explanation for the delay.

Survivors, who are residents of Canada, of Veterans whose death is the result of an injury or disease related to, or aggravated by, service, and whose death occurred on or after April 1, 2006, are eligible for CFIS when the survivor is no longer eligible to receive a benefit. (i.e., the member or Veteran, if alive, would be at least 65 years of age). The survivor is not subject to time limitations when applying for the CFIS benefit and is not subject to the Employment and Career Transition Criteria.

Orphans

Orphans, who are residents of Canada, of Veterans whose death is not the result of an injury or disease related to, or aggravated by, service, and whose death occurred on or after April 1, 2006, are eligible for CFIS if the Veteran had been in receipt of CFIS at the time of their death. The orphan is not subject to time limitations when applying for the CFIS benefit and is not subject to the Employment and Career Transition Criteria.

Orphans, who are residents of Canada, of Veterans whose death is the result of an injury or disease related to, or aggravated by, service, and whose death occurred on or after April 1, 2006, are eligible for CFIS when the orphan is no longer eligible to receive an ELB (i.e., the member or Veteran, if alive, would be at least 65 years of age). The orphan must be residing in Canada but is not subject to time limitations when applying for the CFIS benefit and is not subject to the Employment and Career Transition Criteria.

Supplementary Retirement Benefit

Veterans who had been deemed TPI and who are no longer entitled to the ELB because they have either reached the age of 65, or are no longer deemed to be totally and permanently incapacitated (have recovered to a point of being able to be gainfully employable), are eligible for the Supplementary Retirement Benefit.

Survivors of Veterans whose death was caused or aggravated by service are eligible for the Supplementary Retirement Benefit when their Earnings Loss Benefits come to an end.

 
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