Budget 2017 - And VAC Part in it -

Budget 2017 - Expansion of the Veteran Family Program

Expansion of the Veteran Family Program

Supporting families who serve, where they serve.

We are expanding access to all 32 Military Family Resource Centre locations across Canada. Medically released Veterans and their families can now take full advantage of the services and programs offered across the country.

- Referrals

- Information

- Orientation

- Programming

- Sessions

- Educational Assistance

- Outreach

- Employment Assistance

- Child Care

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/supporting-families/military-family-support-program-graphic

Budget 2017 - Career Transition Services

Career Transition Services

Support to help transfer your military skills and experience into the job you want in your post-military life.

The re-designed program offers more access, service and support to help you find the job you want in your post-military life.

- Available to spouses and partners

- Counselors who understand the transition from military to post-military life

- Coaching to match your skills to the right job

- Counseling and job placement services

- Available at any time during your life

- Available to all Veterans post-release

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/education-and-training/career-transition-services-graphic

Trooper wrote:

Budget 2017 - Removal of Time Limits
Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program

The Government of Canada is enhancing support for survivors and common-law/spouses by eliminating the current one year application time limit for Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance program.

The proposed changes deliver directly on the mandate commitments of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. This benefit is just one step the Government is taking to improve benefits and services offered to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families.

$23.8 million over six years to eliminate time limits for veterans’ spouses and survivors to apply to the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program.

Removing the time limit would allow survivors a period of time to gain resiliency and adopt coping strategies and then choose a time that works for them to move forward and address future vocational and financial needs.

Removing time limits would give more flexibility for spouses/common-law partners who pursue vocational assistance while caring for ill and injured Veterans.

With no time limit, families are not pressured to be active in the vocational assistance process while still adjusting to the Veteran’s health circumstances.

Examples of who could benefit from this change:

Sheila’s husband, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, recently passed away. Sheila is a stay-at-home mother and now has to consider rejoining the workforce. With the removal of the time limit to apply for assistance, Sheila is able to take time to grieve and adjust to her new situation without the pressure of having to make an immediate decision about her future.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/education-and-training/vocational-rehabilitation-facts

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Compared to the G.I. Bill these benefits don't stack up

Budget 2017 - Centre of Excellence on PTSD and related Mental Health conditions

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) plans to create a new Centre of Excellence in Veterans’ care, specializing in mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder and related issues for both Veterans and first responders.

This is part of the Minister’s mandate and he is committed to adding resources and expertise to ensure comprehensive services and supports are available to Veterans and their families.

The Centre of Excellence will be responsible for advances in applied research, knowledge transfer and the development of tools to support treatment by health care providers from coast to coast to coast. The Centre will have a strong focus on the creation and dissemination of knowledge and awareness that addresses evidence-based mental health injury prevention, such as PTSD, as well as assessment and treatment needs of Veterans and CAF members.

It is but one element of a joint mental health strategy between Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces, which also includes forums to share best practices in assessment and treatment, collaborative research and continuing education opportunities for health care professionals. The centre will allow for the collection and distribution of best practices throughout Canada to benefit Veterans receiving mental health support from coast to coast to coast.

Significant consultations with stakeholders and Veterans over the past year will support the development of the Centre of Excellence, which will include comprehensive research capabilities to ensure the Centre will be:

- Focused on recovery and prevention;

- Culturally relevant and sensitive to all Veterans;

- Multidisciplinary;

- Innovative;

- Veteran and family-centric; and

- Accessible.

Education, counselling and training will be integral to the Centre of Excellence and will support public awareness and de-stigmatization of mental health illness. It will ensure Canada’s military—whether they are still in uniform or already released—have access to mental health care that is comprehensive, integrated and consistent no matter where they live.

Over four years, $17.5 million will be dedicated creating a Centre of Excellence on PTSD and related Mental Health conditions to increase knowledge of CAF members and Veterans’ mental health issues.

Over the last 5 years, VAC has committed more than $3 million in research projects designed to better understand and meet the needs of Canada’s Veterans and their families. This includes the Life After Service Studies (LASS), studies on Mental Health, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Veteran Families, Equine Therapy, Identity and Recognition, Suicide, Employment, and Homelessness.

Of all Veterans who received a benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada, 17% received a disability benefit for a mental health condition.

Seventy-three (73%) of Veterans, who received a benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada for a mental health condition, received it specifically for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Thirteen percent (13%) of members who deployed to Afghanistan have received a Veterans Affairs Canada pension or award for a mental health condition.

The new changes would come into effect April 1, 2018.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/supporting-families/centre-of-excellence-on-mental-health-facts

Budget 2017 - Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund

The Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to the well-being of Veterans and their families through the establishment of a Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. This fund would be used for the development of new and innovative ways to support Veterans and their families by providing financial support to organizations to conduct research and implement initiatives and projects. These organizations can be non-profit, voluntary and in some cases, for-profit as well.

This benefit is just one step the Government is taking to continue to improve benefits and services offered to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families.

$13.9 million over four years to establish a Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund to foster the development of innovative programs by third-party organizations.

VAC would identify an annual theme, linked to issues impacting Veterans and their families, and host an annual call for proposals where stakeholders would be invited to submit applications for funding. The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund would be used to support these projects and initiatives.

The fund would support the promotion of increased knowledge and understanding through research, and the development of community based and innovative services to address new and emerging needs within the Veteran community.

The new fund would come into effect April 1, 2018.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/supporting-families/well-being-fund-facts

Budget 2017 - Removal of Time Limits
Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program

The Government of Canada is enhancing support for survivors and common-law/spouses by eliminating the current one year application time limit for Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance program.

The proposed changes deliver directly on the mandate commitments of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. This benefit is just one step the Government is taking to improve benefits and services offered to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families.

$23.8 million over six years to eliminate time limits for veterans’ spouses and survivors to apply to the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program.

Removing the time limit would allow survivors a period of time to gain resiliency and adopt coping strategies and then choose a time that works for them to move forward and address future vocational and financial needs.

Removing time limits would give more flexibility for spouses/common-law partners who pursue vocational assistance while caring for ill and injured Veterans.

With no time limit, families are not pressured to be active in the vocational assistance process while still adjusting to the Veteran’s health circumstances.

Examples of who could benefit from this change:

Sheila’s husband, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, recently passed away. Sheila is a stay-at-home mother and now has to consider rejoining the workforce. With the removal of the time limit to apply for assistance, Sheila is able to take time to grieve and adjust to her new situation without the pressure of having to make an immediate decision about her future.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/education-and-training/vocational-rehabilitation-facts

Budget 2017 - Supporting the well-being of both Veterans and their families

Supporting the well-being of both Veterans and their families

...to help them succeed in their post-military lives

The well-being of a veteran’s entire family is important. That is why we offer familes better programs and services that are easier to access.

- Guided Support: VAC staff to help you with your transition

- MFRCs: Access to 32 Military Family Resource Centres across Canada

- Caregivers Benefit: 1K a month directly to caregivers

- Online Support: An online caregiver module for information and tools

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/supporting-families/supporting-families-graphic

Budget 2017 Investing in Education and Training

Investing in Education and Training

...so you can reach your goals in post-military life

We are making investments in your education and training to help you leverage your assets or further your education. We want you to get the job you want and successfully transition to post-military life.

Career Transition Services:

- Coaching, counseling and job placement

- Available throughout your life

- Available to spouses and partners

- Available to all Veterans

Education and Training Benefit:

- Up to 80K for education

- Up to 5K for professional development

- Available to all Veterans

Vocational Rehabilitation:

- Support to get back to work

- Specific to your needs

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/education-and-training/education-and-training-graphic

Budget 2017 - Veteran Emergency Fund

The Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to provide emergency financial support for Veterans, their families and survivors.

The health and well-being of Veterans involves multiple factors that go well beyond the scope of traditional health services and benefits. The new fund would provide Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) with the flexibility needed to financially assist Veterans and their families quickly and efficiently in their time of urgent need.

This benefit is just one step the Government is taking to improve benefits and services offered to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families.

$4 million over four years to establish a Veteran Emergency Fund to enable Veterans Affairs Canada to address unique and urgent veteran-specific situations.

This new fund would provide the flexibility to address unique and urgent situations that a Veteran may be facing. When an urgent or unexpected need is not covered under existing programs and services, the Emergency Fund will be in place to ensure the overall well-being of Veterans and their families as a short term support mechanism while other longer support arrangements are made.

This new fund would be available to any Canadian Veteran or survivor living in Canada whose well-being is at risk as a result of an urgent or unexpected situation.

This new Fund would be put into place April 1, 2018.

Examples of who could benefit from this change:

Jenna, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, has fallen on difficult financial times and her electricity has been turned off. She has been struggling to make ends meet and she does not have enough money to pay the amount owed and get her power restored. Jenna would be able to access the Veteran Emergency Fund in order to get the electricity back on in her house and VAC staff would guide Jenna through the process to receive on-going support via other programs and services to ensure her on-going well-being and financial security.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/ensuring-financial-security/veteran-emergency-fund-facts

Budget 2017 Ensuring Financial Security

Ensuring Financial Security

...so you and your family can focus on your well-being and transition to post-military life

We understand that financial security is essential to your well-being. We are keeping our promise to provide financial stability to ill and injured Veterans.

- Successful transition to post-military life

- Well-being

- Security in retirement

- Stability

- Support

- Health

- Safety

- Purpose

Financial Security

- Supplementary Retirement Benefit (SRB)

- Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS)

- Earning Loss Benefit (ELB)

- Career Impact Allowance (CIA)* * as of April 1, 2017

- Retirement Income Security Benefit (RISB)

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/budget/ensuring-financial-security/ensuring-financial-security-graphic

With respect to the Grandfather Clause within the PA, this clause is in place to allow those Veterans who were receiving benefits from the PA prior to April 01, 2006 to continue receiving those benefits.
No change in this regard.

With respect to BILL C-42 and the pension act, the way I read it still leaves room for those who were granted a pension for an injury or disease from the Pension Act, to receive an award payable under this act, (PA), after 2006.

I know this part of the bill, it was always in place, unless I'm missing a part of the bill.
The difference in entitlement I think relates between what is a pension, versus an allowance.

Pension Act

19 (1) The portion of subsection 3.‍1(1) of the Pension Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

No award payable

3.‍1 (1) Despite any other provision of this Act, no award is payable under this Act in respect of any application made by or in respect of a member of the forces after April 1, 2006 unless

(2) Paragraph 3.‍1(1)‍(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(b) the application is in respect of the death of a member of the forces, if the death occurred before April 1, 2006 OR is the result of an injury or a disease, or the aggravation of an injury or a disease, for which a pension has been granted.

So bottom line, it is the allowance that reflects what is available for application under the charter, from those carrying 1% or more from the PA.
I don't see any change, whatever is in place with the FCRF regarding those receiving a pension from the old act and not being able to apply, I would guess that the same will be in place with the CRB.

Unless I'm missing something?

Confusing they just can't make it simple, thanks!

johnny211 wrote:Iceman - ref your conv above about pa and AA, and fcrb. Read my post on this back on page 3. Around mid page, Johnny Out,

Johnny, I'm the same. PTSD.

I depend on my wife to keep me on meds etc.

AA is physical only as I read it, and completely disabled.

According to how I read bill c-42, ANYONE that has or or has ever received a pension, or any other sort of compensation under the pension act, is not eligible for the new CRB.

I get 5% PA, so only eligible for AA

It is the compensation bit that will get slid right through that I am worried about for others that might not get a pension, but might have received ANY little bit of compensation in the past under the pension act. The way I read it, they could even say that if they paid for your parking at one time, you had received some sort of compensation.

NAVRATILOVA wrote:Iceman, Could you explain that a little more. I'm not catching what you are referring to about the grandfather clause?

The grandfather clause

When I got out in 93, I filed a claim that was rejected. In the last couple of years, I filed a few more including the injury that I had previously claimed. I totally forgot that I had claimed it in 93

They granted a da for that injury, and then during an internal departmental review they initiated, a year later they realized it had been previously claimed in 93. They switched that da to a pa, backdated to 3 years prior to application as per the pension act. Used back owed to pay puff the da, and I now have a 5% pa.

As it exists right now, any claim after April 1 2006, that had been claimed and rejected prior to 2006, are still paid out under the pension act. (Grandfathered)

Bill c 42 removes that.

Iceman - ref your conv above about pa and AA, and fcrb. Read my post on this back on page 3. Around mid page, Johnny Out,