Editor's Corner

Dear Editor: My husband just passed away. Who do I contact to enquire what my adjusted pension entitlement will be? And how long will it take to receive that information?

Dear Reader: Please accept our condolences on the loss of your husband. Contact your local District Office and provide them with the information. With the new computer system we have in place to process concerns such as this one, you could have an answer to your question within two days.

Dear Editor: My husband is a veteran pensioner. We've lived in our home for 40 years but we're finding it hard to keep things up. Can VAC do something to help us?

Dear Reader: Your husband may be eligible to receive assistance under our Veterans Independence Program (VIP). VIP is a national home and community care program that provides eligible clients with services like grounds maintenance, housekeeping, personal care and home meal delivery. Please contact your District Office for more information.

Dear Editor: I am currently residing in England and would like to have the address of whom I should contact in case of future necessity. Thank you.

Dear Reader: Thank you for your letter. If you require assistance, you should contact our Foreign Countries Operations office, located in Ottawa, at (613) 996-2242. If you are calling from Canada or the United States the toll-free number is 1-888-996-2242.

Dear Editor: I read in your last issue of Salute! that veteran and civilian pensioners are now able to access health care benefits for all their health needs, not just those related to their pensioned conditions. Does this mean I get full coverage anywhere in the world?

Dear Reader: The change you are referring to applies to veteran and civilian pensioners who receive disability pensions (excluding any allowances) of 78% or more under the Pension Act where at least one of the disabilities was incurred during the First or Second World Wars or the Korean War. The Veterans Health Care Regulations still require that treatment and long-term care provided outside Canada must be related to your pensioned condition. Amendments to the Regulations allow seriously disabled veterans to receive non-pension related benefits only while they are in Canada, and only to the extent that these services are not covered by their provincial health plan.