War Veterans Allowance (WVA)
The War Veterans Allowance (WVA) is a form of financial assistance available from Veterans Affairs Canada. In recognition of war service, qualified persons are provided with a regular monthly income to meet basic needs.
WVA is based on income, family status and number of dependants. Recipients are paid at a single, couple or orphan's rate. Persons in common-law relationships also qualify for the same rate as married individuals.
Index
- Eligibility
- Service Requirements
- Survivors
- Income Requirements
- Residency Requirements
- Other Benefits
- Is WVA Payable Outside Canada?
- Temporary Absences
- How do I Apply?
- What if I am not satisfied with a decision?
- Related Articles
Eligibility
Eligibility is determined by the wartime service of a Veteran or qualified civilian, age or health, income, and residency.
Service Requirements
Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and Merchant Navy Veterans who served in the First or Second World War or the Korean War; or
Allied Veterans with wartime service in the First or Second World War or Korean War who lived in Canada either before or after the war; or
Civilians who served in close support of the Canadian Armed Forces during wartime.
Survivors
Surviving spouses, surviving common-law partners or orphans may also qualify for WVA if the deceased Veterans or civilian had the required war service.
Income Requirements
WVA is an income-tested benefit and most regular income must be considered to determine eligibility. Veterans Affairs Canada can supplement your income up to a maximum ceiling set by law. This income ceiling is adjusted quarterly in accordance with increases in the Consumer Price Index. Our method of assessing income is similar to that used by other federal income support programs, such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement. A similar definition of income is in place for both programs and is based on the Income Tax Act.
Annual income exemptions allow you to earn a certain amount of income without affecting your rate of WVA. They include the casual earnings exemption ($4,200 for married/common-law partners and $2,900 for a single person) and the interest exemption ($140 for a single person and married/common-law partners).
Residency Requirements
Applicants must reside in Canada at the time of application.
Prior to 1995, Allied Veterans with 10 years post-war residency in Canada were eligible for Veterans' benefits. In 1995, a legislative amendment removed that eligibility. However, those who were receiving benefits on or before February 27, 1995, could continue to appy for and receive benefits as long as they resided in Canada and met the income requirement.
On January 1, 2010 legislation was amended so that Allied Veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War may once again be eligible to receive Veterans benefits if they have 10 years post-war residency. Allied Veterans of the Korean War who moved to Canada before the war may also be eligible.
Other Benefits
The WVA Program is a "gateway" to other programs and benefits, such as:
WVA clients may also qualify for VAC's Funeral and Burial Program, which is delivered by the Last Post Fund (LPF) (Opens a new window), subject to the eligibility requirements of that program. Upon the death of a WVA client the next-of-kin or other responsible person should contact the nearest LPF office.
Some Veterans and eligible civilians may find that they do not qualify for WVA because their spouse's or common-law partner's Old Age Security income puts them over the maximum amount of allowable income. However, they may still be eligible for medical benefits. In such cases, an applications for WVA must be submitted to Veterans Affairs Canada.
Is WVA Payable Outside Canada?
Generally, to receive WVA outside Canada on an indefinite basis, you must have resided in Canada for 12 months before leaving, and have been receiving WVA on the day of departure. However, before making any plans to leave Canada, you should check with Veterans Affairs Canada to determine whether you are eligible to receive WVA outside Canada.
Allied Veterans (and their survivors) who were not domiciled in Canada at the time of enlistment are not eligible to receive WVA outside Canada.
If your WVA was cancelled because you receive income under the Old Age Security Act, you should write to us at least three months before leaving Canada to see if WVA can be resumed. Some Old Age Security Incomes are payable outside Canada only for short periods of time.
Temporary Absences
Absences of temporary nature will usually not affect your WVA. However, if you are planning to leave Canada for an extended period of time (six months or longer), please check with Veterans Affairs Canada to ensure that you are aware of all your rights and responsibilities.
How do I Apply?
War Veterans Allowance Guide and Application
To receive an application kit, contact your Veterans Affairs Canada District Office.
We are presently working to ensure our Web site is compliant with new Government of Canada standards. These new standards will help make our Web site as accessible as possible for all Canadians. However, some documents have not yet been updated. These documents will continue to be available in their previous format until the new standards are met. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact communications@vac-acc.gc.ca. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
- War Veterans Allowance Application Guide (PDF Help)
- Application for War Veterans Allowance (PDF Help)
- Authority to Obtain Service Information - Foreign Countries (PDF Help)
What if I am not satisfied with a decision?
You may ask to have your case reviewed by the Regional Office Review Committee.
Clients not satisfied with Regional Office Review Committee decisions may appeal to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (Opens a New Window).
Legal assistance is available from the Bureau of Pensions Advocates to help applicants and recipients prepare appeals or represent them at appeals before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (Opens a New Window). Service officers of Veterans' organizations also provide help free of charge.
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