Current or Former Canadian Forces Members Services and Benefits
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Rehabilitation
What is the Rehabilitation Program?
It's no secret that serving in the military can be dangerous. Even though the Canadian Forces takes every precaution to keep you safe, injuries can and do happen. That's why our Rehabilitation Program is so important. If you have been injured as a result of your service and are medically released, we can provide the support you need to transition from the military to civilian life.
Three types of rehabilitation services are available:
Medical:
Health care experts work with you to stabilize and restore your health to the fullest extent possible.
Psycho-social:
Counsellors help you develop skills to regain your independence and overcome your disability. Some examples include life skills training, anger management, parenting, budgeting, driving, pain management strategies, and more.
Vocational:
Through the Vocational Rehabilitation program, advisors help you transfer skills you gained in the military to jobs in the civilian workplace. When necessary, training is available to support this move. Many of the costs related to training or schooling are covered under this program, including child care.
The rehabilitation process begins as soon as you and your case manager meet – it is important for us to get to know you and your family and for you to get to know us. Next, your case manager will work with you in identifying your goals and challenges.
The resulting rehabilitation plan will outline services and benefits you will need, identify local service providers and provide time lines to guide you. You may receive help in many ways, depending on your needs. Here are a few examples:
- Consultations with specialized medical practitioners
- Medications or physiotherapy
- Pain management
- Psychiatric treatment
- Counselling for you and your family by a psychologist or social worker
- Addictions counselling
- Occupational therapy
- Career-related counselling and evaluation
- Financial Support for training and related costs such as child care
- Help to find a job
- Help in returning to the workplace (for example, a gradual return-to-work program)
We will work closely with your Canadian Forces case manager to ensure that your transition is a smooth one and will follow up with you on a regular basis to see how you are doing and provide you with support.
Important Notes
- You do not need to qualify for a Disability Award to take part in the Rehabilitation Program.
- Our Rehabilitation Program complements the vocational rehabilitation services under Service Income Security Insurance Plan Long Term Disability (SISIP LTD) for eligible CF members who are medically releasing.
- If you qualify for the Rehabilitation Program, you may also qualify for other Financial Benefits.
- You may also be interested in learning about the Soldier On program. Soldier On is an initiative whose goal is to improve the quality of life of injured or ill Canadian Forces members or Veterans, through fitness, recreation or sport.
Do I Qualify?
You may qualify if you:
- were medically-released from the Canadian Forces.
- have a physical or mental health problem, caused mainly by your military service, that is making it hard for you to re-enter civilian life.
- are the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian Forces Veteran who qualifies for the Rehabilitation Program but whose disability is so serious that he/she cannot take part in vocational rehabilitation services.
- are a released Reservist (depending on class of service and assigned duties).
- are the survivor of a Canadian Forces Veteran whose death was related to service.
How Do I Apply?
Contact us for assistance.
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