VIP Expands
The Government of Canada is putting in place new regulations that expand the
number of qualified primary caregivers who may receive housekeeping and/or
grounds maintenance services for as long as needed under our Department's
Veterans Independence Program (VIP). Most primary caregivers are spouses or
common-law partners, but adult children, siblings and others may also qualify.
Providing they meet certain other qualifications (see below), the changes
to VIP mean that:
- Primary caregivers may be eligible for VIP housekeeping and/or grounds
maintenance services if the veteran they cared for received these services in the
years since the program began in 1981 and the veteran was in receipt of these
services at the time of death or admission to a long-term care facility.
- Primary caregivers will continue to receive the VIP services for as long as
needed if the veteran they are caring for now, or in the future, is in receipt of VIP
housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services on the day he or she passes away
or is admitted to a long-term care facility.
Other Qualifications
To qualify for VIP housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services as a primary caregiver under the above changes, you must also:
- need the services to remain independent in your home but your health prevents you from doing the tasks; and
- at the time the veteran passes/passed away or is/was admitted to a long-term care facility you:
- were primarily responsible for ensuring care was provided to the veteran;
- were not paid a wage to provide care to the veteran;
- supported, or were supported by, the VAC client for a continuous period of at least one year; and
- lived in the veteran's "principal residence," or permanent home, for a continuous period of at least one year.
If you think you might qualify, please call 1-800-443-0382 (toll-free) for more information.
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