Disability Pensions: The $s and Sense

If you qualify for a disability pension, the amount you receive will be based on several factors, including your:

• Pension Entitlement. Basically, this is the extent to which your disability is related to your service. There are five "levels" of entitlement. If your service is entirely responsible for your disability, it would be given a high rating of five-fifths (5/5). If your service played only a small part in causing, or worsening, your disability, it would likely have a low rating of one-fifth (1/5).
• Assessment. This measures the extent of your disability. Assessments range between 0% and 100% (i.e., the total loss of vision in one eye would result in a 30% assessment; the loss of both legs would mean a 100% assessment). Assessment levels are based on a rating system that has been established by our Department. These rates are published in the Table of Disabilities.

Calculating the Amount

The amount of your pension is calculated by multiplying your entitlement (1/5 to 5/5) by your assessment (1% to 100%), e.g., 3/5 x 25% = 15% pension.

If you have more than one pensioned disability, the assessments are combined. For example, if you are awarded 15% for a hearing impairment, 20% for a back injury and 65% for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, your pension would be paid at the 100% rate. If you are single, your total tax-free monthly disability pension (at the 2003 rate) would be $1,931.41.

You may be eligible to receive more pension if you are married, have a common-law partner, or dependent children. For example, if you are married, with two children, your monthly payment at the current 100% rate would be $2,848.83.