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Veterans Affairs in Service to the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceHTML print version | PDF versionClient Services
Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to providing quality service to serving and discharged regular and civilian members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This booklet will give you a brief introduction to VA and its services. You could be eligible for benefits and services administered by VA on behalf of the RCMP, including disability pension and health care benefits. Read on to learn more about these benefits and how to apply. Our OrganizationIn recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadians in this nation's war and peacekeeping efforts, VA offers a wide range of services and benefits to qualified Veterans, still-serving Canadian Forces members, RCMP members and certain civilians, as well as to their dependants or survivors. Client ServicesVeterans Affairs Canada (VAC), as a client-centred organization, is fully committed to involving its clients and their families in discussions and decisions that affect them. In addition to disability pensions and health treatment benefits, RCMP members may receive one or all of the following services:
All persons contacting Veterans Affairs Canada are guaranteed a level of service consistent with their need for assistance and in accordance with their eligibility for programs and services. In recognition of the need to provide consistent service to all clients, now and into the future, VAC has implemented the Integrated Service Delivery Framework (ISDF). The ISDF improves the consistency of our service and helps us to better understand what our clients need so that they can recieve the right service, at the right time, by the right person. This approach to client service is very important because it allows us to:
Disability Pension ProgramA disability pension is designed to compensate you and/or your dependants if you become disabled or die as a result of your RCMP service. It is payable to eligible serving and discharged members and survivors. Disability pensions are not, however, an income replacement plan. Disability pensions are awarded in accordance with the Pension Act, administered by VAC, as provided by section 32 of the RCMP Superannuation Act and section 5 of the RCMP Pension Continuation Act. You may be eligible for disability pension benefits from VAC if you now have, or later develop, a permanent disability resulting from an injury or disease that:
If you experience, or have experienced, an injury or illness during your RCMP service, be sure to have it documented by medical personnel, and request a copy for your own files. That record could be very important if your injury or illness results in a permanent disability. Coverage for Deployed RCMPRound-the-clock disability pension coverage is available to RCMP members deployed to serve in conditions of elevated risk - either a SDA or SDO. This coverage begins the moment they are deployed and extends to any part of the world, including Canada. The Pension Act provides coverage under the following two principles:
Determining Eligibility - The ProcessIf you believe you have an RCMP service-related disability, you should inquire about eligibility for a disability pension. How to ApplyObtain and complete a disability pension application. Forms are available through VAC District Offices or www.vac-acc.gc.ca Where to Apply
When to ApplyAlthough there is no time limit on accepting applications, you may apply as soon as it appears that the disability from your injury or illness will be permanent or long-lasting. If your application results in a favourable decision, the effective date of entitlement will normally be the date you contacted VAC, i.e. the date of application. Information you supply
If You Need AssistanceA Pension Officer at a VAC District Office, a Service Officer of The Royal Canadian Legion, or a representative of another Veterans' organization will help you free of charge. How They Assist
Once Your Application is Submitted, a VAC Pension Adjudicator will:
Pension DecisionPension Entitlement
Assessment of Disability
Pension PayableThe pensionable assessment, which is determined by multiplying the entitlement (1/5 to 5/5) by the assessment (0% 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 for a total pensionable assessment. Effective January 1, 2003
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Total Pensionable Assessment | Payment Amount (Single Rate) | Payment Type | Payment Due |
1% - 4% | 1% - $623.59 4% - $2494.38 |
One-time Lump Sum | Within 2 weeks of decision being processed |
5% - 100% | 5% - $96.57 100% - $1931.41 |
Monthly | Second last banking day of each month |
Pension payments awarded under the Pension Act are tax-free in Canada and are indexed annually.
If you are awarded pension of 5% or more, additional pension may be payable to you upon application, on behalf of:
Your Total Pensionable Assessment | Spouse/Partner | First Child | Second Child | Each Additional Child |
5% | $24.14 | $12.55 | $9.18 | $7.24 |
100% | $482.85 | $251.08 | $183.49 | $144.86 |
Eligible applicants may also receive:
Special AwardsAttendance Allowance - Pensioner must be:
Clothing Allowance - Pensioner must be :
Exceptional Incapacity Allowance - Pensioner must be:
Based on your pensionable disability or RCMP-related death, survivor benefits may be paid to:
If you are not satisfied with a pension decision, on either the issue of entitlement to pension or with respect to the percentage at which your disability has been assessed, you may request a Departmental Review, providing you have new evidence to submit. You can contact the Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA) for assistance with this (see "Who Can Help").
The Veterans Review and Appeal Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency completely separate from VAC. If you are not satisfied with the departmental decision, you have a right to two levels of appeal:
The Canadian Government is the only government in the world which provides, free of charge, a Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA) composed of skilled lawyers whose sole purpose is to represent serving and discharged personnel in appealing disability pension decisions. The Bureau has offices in all the major centres in Canada and can be reached by calling toll-free 1-877-228-2250. Your call will automatically be directed to the office nearest you.
Veterans' organizations, such as The Royal Canadian Legion, also represent clients at both levels of appeal, free of charge.
If you wish to use your own lawyer or other representative, at your own expense, or choose to represent yourself, you should contact the Veterans Review and Appeal Board in writing and you will be advised how to proceed. You may call the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Enquiries Line, toll-free, at 1-800-450-8006.
All civilian members and discharged members of the RCMP, in receipt of a disability pension, are eligible to receive VAC health care benefits that are required because of their pensioned condition(s). Health care benefits consist of:
Treatment benefits are available for a pensioned condition. They consist of any medical, surgical or dental treatment provided by a health professional; surgical or prosthetic devices or aids and any home adaptation to accommodate their use; and pharmaceuticals prescribed by a physician or other person authorized to prescribe pharmaceuticals. The Programs of Choice include:
Clients who receive treatment benefits may receive supplementary benefits. These include:
Discharged RCMP pensioners are eligible to receive a Treatment Allowance, for up to 60 days per calendar year, if they receive "in-patient" (in hospital acute care) for their pensioned condition. Treatment Allowance is payable at a rate that is equal to the difference between the monthly pension paid to the client and the amount a client would be paid if in receipt of a pension paid at the 100% rate.
Please Note: Your access to VAC health benefits will depend on your eligibility status and your health needs. Some benefits also may be subject to frequency or dollar limits. These limits may be different than limits you may be familiar with under the health program currently administered by the RCMP. To find out which health benefits you are eligible for, and any restrictions that may be in place, please contact Veterans Affairs Canada before you receive the benefit.
For more information on services and benefits, to find out if you ar eligible, or to apply, please call:
1-866-522-2122 (English)
1-866-522-2022 (French)
VAC web site: www.vac-acc.gc.ca
The Veterans Review and Appeal Board Website can be accessed at www.vrab-tacra.gc.ca.