Benefits for Primary Caregivers

• Who is eligible?
• What VIP services are covered?
• If you are eligible for VIP
• Fact Sheet:  Important New Facts for Primary Caregivers
• Application and Guidelines

On February 15, 2005, Regulatory amendments addressing Veterans Independence Program housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services for primary caregivers received approval. Primary caregivers of all veterans who were receiving housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services under the VIP program before they passed away or were admitted to a long-term care facility may now be eligible to continue to receive these services for life. Primary caregivers include eligible spouses, common-law partners and others.

Who is eligible?

The primary caregiver would be an adult person, 18 years or older, who, on the date of the veteran's death or admission to a long-term care facility, whichever is the earlier:

1. had been the person primarily responsible for ensuring that care was provided to the veteran;
2. had not been receiving a wage for ensuring the care;
3. had been maintained by or had been maintaining the veteran for a continuous period of at least one year; and
4. had been living in the principal residence of the veteran for a continuous period of at least one year.

For the primary caregiver to be eligible for continuation of VIP services:

1. the veteran must have been in receipt of the housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services at the time of death or at the time of admission to a long-term care facility, whichever is earlier;
2. he or she must have been assessed within one year after the veteran's death or admission to a long-term care facility, or present evidence relating to their health condition during that period. On the basis of this assessment, it must be determined that the services are needed for a health reason and will enable the primary caregiver to remain independent in his/her home;
3. no one else in the primary caregiver's principal residence should be capable of performing the housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services;
4. the housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services should not be available from a private insurance or from a provincial or community program; and, finally
5. the primary caregiver must reside in Canada.

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What VIP services are covered?

Only the VIP housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services can be provided to eligible primary caregivers. More specifically, only the service(s) the Veteran was receiving at the time of death or admission to a long-term care facility, whichever occurs first, can be continued. Thus, if a veteran was only receiving grounds maintenance services, the primary caregiver will only be entitled to grounds maintenance services.

Housekeeping Services, including:

• vacuuming;
• laundry, including ironing and mending;
• making and changing beds;
• cleaning floors (sweeping, washing, waxing, etc.);
• dusting and general picking up;
• kitchen and bathroom cleaning;
• meal preparation;
• appliance cleaning;
• washing and changing windows; and
• errand services to purchase food, do banking, pay bills, etc.

Grounds Maintenance Services, including:

• snow removal from steps, walkways and driveways to allow safe access to the principal residence;
• snow and ice removal from roofs and eaves troughs when such conditions pose a threat to safety and access;
• periodical cleaning of leaves and debris from eaves troughs;
• tilling ground to enable the client to plant a small flower or vegetable garden; and
• lawn mowing and raking.

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If you are eligible for VIP

For more information on how to apply call the toll-free number 1-866-522-2122.