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Veterans Affairs Disability Pension Program
You may qualify for a disability pension if you have a medical disability that is related to your service and you are:
Additional benefits may be awarded if you are a disability pensioner who has a spouse/common-law partner or other qualified dependants. The Pension Act provides coverage under two principles:
Determining Eligibility - The ProcessHow to apply
Where to apply
What information you supply
Who will help you
How they assist
Once your application is submitted, a VAC Pension Adjudicator will
Pension DecisionPension Entitlement is
Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines Thirty-five Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines will be implemented on May 1, 2002 addressing approximately 50 commonly claimed medical disabilities. The Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines are now available for viewing. Frequently Asked Questions: Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines A number of additional Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines covering various medical disabilities are under development. Assessment of Disability
Medical Questionnaires The Medical Questionnaires have been developed to complement the revised Table of Disabilities. Health care providers complete only the medical questionnaire sections relevant to the claimed/pensioned condition(s). Although the medical questionnaires have been developed to be utilized with the future TOD revision, the revised medical questionnaires can be utilized with the current table for assessment determination. The provided medical information represents a composition of the Veteran's/members current disability and is utilized, along with other pertinent submitted medical information, to determine the medical impairment and ultimatley the Pensionable Disability Assessment, which includes the quality of life". Pension Payable The pensionable assessment, which is determined by multiplying the entitlement (1/5 to 5/5) by the assessment (1% to 100%), determines the rate of pension payable, e.g. 3/5 x 25%=15% pension. When there is more than one pensioned disability, the assessments are combined:
Back to Top Prisoner of War CompensationA veteran of the Canadian Forces, or Canadian merchant mariner, who was a prisoner of war for 30 days or more, or who evaded capture or escaped from the enemy for 30 days or more, may be entitled to compensation under the Pension Act. Compensation may also be paid to members of Allied Forces who were domiciled in Canada or Newfoundland at the time of enlistment in the First or Second World War, and to some civilians who served in support of the Canadian Forces. The term "prisoner of war" now also includes those who were interned in a neutral country designated as enemy-occupied territory. Algeria and Tunisia are among areas designated in this way. Additional compensation for a spouse/common-law partner and dependants, similar to that awarded for a disability pension, is also available. A prisoner of war is entitled, on application, to basic compensation equal to:
You may apply for prisoner of war compensation by contacting Veterans Affairs Canada. Back to TopSpecial AllowancesExceptional incapacity allowance An additional monthly allowance is provided to pensioners who are exceptionally incapacitated in whole or in part by their pensioned disability. The amount of the allowance is based on the extent of the helplessness, pain, loss of enjoyment of life and shortened life expectancy of the pensioner. Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance is available to a pensioner who has a disability assessed at 1% or more and/or is receiving prisoner of war compensation. The pensioner must also be totally disabled and in need of attendance due to his or her physical or mental state. The amount is based on the degree of attendance needed in the day-to-day personal care of the pensioner. Clothing allowance Pensioners who are amputees, wear special appliances, require specially-made clothing or who suffer from a pensionable disability which causes them to soil their clothing excessively, may receive an additional monthly allowance to purchase special clothing. Back to TopSurviving Dependant BenefitsSurviving Spouse/Surviving Commom-law Partner When a disability pensioner dies, the survivor may receive, for a period of one year, the same pension and / or POW compensation amount (including Attendance Allowance and Exceptional Incapacity Allowance, if applicable) being paid to the pensioner at the time of death. After one year, a survivor's pension will automatically be paid. If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid at a rate of 48% or greater, the survivor is entitled to a full survivor's pension (which is equal to three-quarters of the basic pension paid to a single pensioner at the 100% rate). If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid between the 5% and 47% rate, the survivor is entitled to a proportionate survivor's pension (which is equal to one-half the disability pension in payment at the time of the pensioner's death). Surviving spouses/surviving commom-law partners who remarry will continue to receive survivor benefits. Children Surviving children may be eligible to receive orphan benefits following a pensioner's death. Education Assistance ProgramThe Education Assistance Program provides post-secondary education assistance to those children of deceased Veterans or Canadian Forces members who have died as a 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 36 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. Parents and Siblings If the deceased pensioner had been supporting parents, brothers or sisters who are now without adequate means of support, these dependants may be awarded a pension. Awards of this nature are discretionary and are based on the circumstances of each case. Back to TopOther Pension-related Services and BenefitsEligible applicants may also receive:
Review and AppealIf you are not satisfied with the pension decision received, you may request a departmental review - if you can provide new evidence to support your application. You also have the right to request a review hearing before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) - without new evidence. VRAB is an independent body which hears appeals when pension claimants are not satisfied with decisions made by the Department. The Bureau of Pensions Advocates provides free legal assistance to any person who wants to appeal a decision before a review or appeal panel. The Bureau has offices across Canada staffed by experienced lawyers who have the responsibility to represent applicants before (VRAB) panels. Veterans' organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion also provide assistance, free of charge, in preparing appeals. Hearings are held across the country and applicants are given the right to appear before the Board and provide evidence in person or via video-conferencing. Back to Top |
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