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1.0 Introduction

1.0 Introduction

Established April 1, 2018, The Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB) is a monthly, tax-free benefit (indexed annually) that formally recognizes the contribution that informal caregiversFootnote 1 make to the health and well-being of seriously disabled Veterans with service-related physical and/or mental health condition(s) who require continuous provision of care. The benefit is paid directly to an eligible Veterans’ informal caregiver.

1.1 Program Overview

Veterans in receipt of Pain and Suffering Compensation or the Disability Award who need caregiving due to their awarded service-related disability(ies) are eligible for the CRB. These are seriously disabled Veterans who require support and caregiving to maintain their health and well-being; remain safe; and/or accomplish activities of daily livingFootnote 2 (ADLs).

The CRB replaced the former Family Caregiver Relief Benefit (FCRB). This change resulted from concerns raised by Veteran caregivers and stakeholders that the benefit did not recognize, in a tangible way, the contributions of caregivers, as the benefit was provided to Veterans and not the caregivers themselves. In addition, the 2015 mandate letter of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence provided overarching direction to do more to support the families of Canadian Veterans. As a result, in April 2018, the CRB was implemented with an increaseFootnote 3 to $1,000Footnote 4 monthly paid directly to caregivers.

1.2 Program Eligibility

A Veteran is eligible for the CRB under section 65.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act if:

  1. the Veteran has had an application for a disability award or pain and suffering compensation approved under section 45 of the Veterans Well-being Act;
  2. the Veteran requires ongoing care as a result of the health condition(s) for which the disability award or pain and suffering compensation application was approved;
  3. the Veteran has not been awarded a pension or compensation under the Pension Act;
  4. an informal caregiver who is 18 years of age or older plays an essential role in the provision or coordination of the ongoing care to the Veteran in the Veteran’s home for which the informal caregiver receives no remuneration; and
  5. the Veteran requires at least one of the followingFootnote 5:
    1. a level of care and supervision consistent with admission to an institution such as a long-term care facility ;
    2. daily physical assistance of another person for most activities of daily living;
    3. ongoing direction and supervision during the performance of most activities of daily living; or
    4. daily supervision and is not considered to be safe when left alone (i.e. Veteran poses a risk to him/herself or others if not supervised on a daily basis).

A Veteran is considered to need ongoing care, if his/her health condition(s):

  1. are continuous, and unlikely to substantially improve; or
  2. the duration cannot be determined, but are not expected to substantially improve for at least 12 months.

A caregiver plays an essential role in the provision or coordination of ongoing care in the Veteran’s home when, in the absence of the caregiver:

  1. the provision or coordination of the ongoing care would be compromised; and
  2. the health and well-being of the Veteran would be placed at risk.

Groups not eligible for the CRB include:

  1. Veterans whose caregivers are under 18 or who are being paid for the provision of services or support.
  2. Still-serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members. However, they may be provided CRB information and application pre-release to ensure a seamless transition.
  3. Veterans awarded for a disability pension or prisoner of war compensation of 1% or greater under the Pension Act.
  4. Veterans who reside in a health care facility where the level of care provided eliminates the need for an informal caregiver (for example, an acute care or long-term care facility or a nursing home).

1.3 Program Delivery

Applications for the CRB are made by the Veteran either through My VAC Account or via paper form. CRB decisions are made by the Centralized Operations Divisions at Head Office, Veterans Affairs Canada. In an effort to avoid requesting additional information and/or assessments for the Veteran, decision makers attempt to use information already on file to support their decisions.

 
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