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Guide to Government of Canada Services for Seniors
Veterans and Canada's Military
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)Veterans Affairs Canada offers services and benefits to: - war veterans and certain civilians with "theatre of war" service;
- former and still-serving members of the Canadian Forces (regular or reserve); and
- members of the RCMP.
In many cases, the benefits and services extend to the person's family.
For information on these benefits and services: VAC National Client Contact Centre at 1 866 522-2122
www.vac-acc.gc.ca Click on "Clients". For help with veterans' claims: - The Bureau of Pensions Advocates offers free counselling, legal case preparation and representation on pension reviews and appeals.
1 877 228-2250
- The Assistance Service provides professional counselling to Canadian veterans and former Canadian Military members and their families. This service is voluntary and confidential.
1 800 268-7708, 24 hours a day.
TTY: 1 800 567-5803
Income support programs- The veterans' disability pension program is a tax-free payment to those who have a disability as a result of their military (wartime or peacetime) service.
- The War Veterans Allowance (WVA) program provides monthly payments to low-income veterans or to civilians who served in the war. It is based on wartime service, age, health, income, family status, number of dependants and residency.
- If you receive a WVA benefit, you may also qualify for the Assistance Fund, which provides up to $1,000 per year for shelter, clothing and health emergencies.
Health programs and services
- As an eligible veteran, you may qualify for treatment and other health-related benefits, including medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations. You may also receive supplementary benefits, such as travel costs for examinations or treatment.
- The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is a needs-based program to help eligible veterans and civilians stay independent and healthy in their homes and communities. The program provides a range of services.
- If you receive a disability pension, you are entitled to treatment benefits such as prescription drugs for your pensioned condition. You may also be entitled to treatment benefits if you are receiving health services under the VIP or have a limited income, or if the expenses are not covered by a provincial health plan.
- The Residential Care Program provides a bed in a long-term care facility or the Department's hospital. To qualify, you must meet eligibility requirements.
- Health promotion information and services are also available to help veterans stay as healthy as possible. They include information on preventing illness, injury, falls and disease, as well as referral, assessment, counselling and follow-up services.
Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces
For general enquiries, contact the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces:
613 995-2534
TTY: 1 800 467-9877 www.forces.gc.ca
Email: information@forces.gc.ca
Contacting Forces personnel
- Do you want to contact someone who is overseas with the Canadian Forces but don't know how? Call the Mission Information Line of the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency.
1 800 866-4546
- Would you like to invite a member of the Canadian Forces to speak at your local community association? National Defence's Directorate of External Communications and Public Relations arranges for guest speakers from the Canadian Forces to give presentations to community groups. Contact your regional public affairs office:
-Atlantic Region (Halifax): 902 427-6688 -Quebec (Montreal): 514 283-5280 -National Capital Region (Ottawa): 613 996-9266 -Ontario (Toronto): 416 635-4406 -Prairies and Northern Region (Calgary): 403 974-2822 -Pacific Region and Yukon (Vancouver): 604 666-0174 - Would you like to write to the troops? The men and women of the Canadian Forces are contributing to peace and security around the world. Let Canadian Forces members know you appreciate their service. To send an electronic message or obtain addresses for regular post:
www.forces.gc.ca Click on "Write to the Troops" from the menu on the right.
Commemorating Veterans and Armed Forces Members- The Funeral and Burial Program helps pay for the funeral, burial and grave marking of eligible veterans and some civilians. This includes the cost of preparing the remains, a casket, public viewing, transporting the remains locally, an earthen burial plot, care of the plot (perpetual care) and a military-style grave marker. This program is administered by the Last Post Fund.
1 800 465-7113 - The Canadian Virtual War Memorial recognizes the achievements and sacrifices of Canadians who defended freedom. The memorial contains photographs of and memorabilia about many Canadians. It also has information about the graves and memorials of more than 116,000 Canadians who gave their lives for their country.
www.virtualmemorial.gc.ca
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission marks and maintains the graves of members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars. The Commission builds and maintains memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown. It also keeps records and registers. Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and South Africa share its costs.
To find the final resting place of the Commonwealth's war dead:
1 613 992-3224 (call collect)
www.cwgc.org Email: cwgc-canada@vac-acc.gc.ca
- The National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces is in Ottawa. The following persons may be buried there:
-members of the Canadian Forces (regular or reserve); -former Canadian Forces members who have been honourably discharged; and -Canadian veterans of the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War, including
merchant marines. 1 800 883-6094
Military History- The new Canadian War Museum is one of the world's finest venues dedicated to understanding human conflict. Learn more about the Museum's collections and programs at:
1 800 555-5621 TTY: 819 776-7003
www.warmuseum.ca
- The National Defence Headquarters Library has about 30,000 books, mostly on Canadian military history. This is a treasure trove for researchers, historians and novelists. You can borrow these books through your local public library.
- National Defence's Directorate of History and Heritage has information on military museums, honours and awards. It welcomes your history-related enquires by phone or fax.
1 877 741-8332 Fax: 613 990-8579
www.forces.gc.ca Click on "History and Heritage" from the menu on the left.
- The Canadian Military History Gateway is an online service providing access to websites and digitized resources about Canada's military history.
www.cmhg.gc.ca
- Do you have military objects that you would like to leave to posterity? You may be able to donate them to a Canadian military museum. Contact the Organization of Military Museums of Canada:
www.ommc.ca
Email: ommc@ns.sympatico.ca - If you are planning to sell or give a firearm to someone else, please contact the Canada Firearms Centre:
1 800 731-4000 www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca
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