So...I`m about to lose my Job can someone walk me through what VAC can do for me?

You need a professionals report in most cases Yes!
Start at step one!
Its a long silly process and there are delays and stresses involved in the process.
Lots get discourages some give up...
If you are near a VAC office ...I would insist on an personal interview with a CM to assist you.

ScottyG wrote:The ELB is just what it says. You get it as a top up if your working part time etc. dollar for dollar reduction.
CM will assist you with all the answers you are seeking via the phone. If its not clear take a paper and pen call VAC ....ask all the questions take notes...
24 hours later call and get them to explain again ...
48 hours later do it again...  I did!  

Then come here and tell us what you heard and we will confuse you again .... Just kidding !!

what does "dollar for dollar reduction" mean?

You can apply for ELB yes ! In fact you can apply for all the listed programs.... at any time!

The DEC you can request a via your Case manager usually they will start that process after 24 months after you receive the CIA .... that is needed for the CIA s ....

I know this is confusing ..... i was in your shoes several months ago ....Hang in there and try to smile ....

The ELB is just what it says. You get it as a top up if your working part time etc. dollar for dollar reduction.
CM will assist you with all the answers you are seeking via the phone. If its not clear take a paper and pen call VAC ....ask all the questions take notes...
24 hours later call and get them to explain again ...
48 hours later do it again... I did!

Then come here and tell us what you heard and we will confuse you again .... Just kidding !!

ScottyG wrote:in order apply:
1.Rehab
2.ELB
3.CIA
next:
4.DEC
Lastly
5.CIA (s)

If you do it in order then it flows well. If not its a mess!

I hate clogging up the board, but I only learned about all of these things from this board, about 4 months ago after a meeting with my CM the idea of applying for CIA was raised so we did the paperwork and off it went. so its a 12 week wait to gather all necesssary info then up to another 4 months for VAC to make a decision. so...since I didn`t do it in the order you recommend, can I apply for ELB while still waiting the outcome of CIA ?

ScottyG wrote:If you did it this way ....i would get your reports forwarded from your other health care professsional and then go see him with your forms.... The Dr likely will fill out the reports based on your forwarded  file.

Not to be repeditive, but which do you need a Dr. to sign off on, CIAS , DEC, ELB or all 3?...not that any fo this matters yet as I may be refused CIA in the first place, then the ball just stops rolling, I guess.

in order apply:
1.Rehab
2.ELB
3.CIA
next:
4.DEC
Lastly
5.CIA (s)

If you do it in order then it flows well. If not its a mess!

If you did it this way ....i would get your reports forwarded from your other health care professsional and then go see him with your forms.... The Dr likely will fill out the reports based on your forwarded file.

ScottyG wrote:CIA is 12 weeks from the service standard date ....that date is where they have all the neccessary information to make a decision. Expect an answer within 16-20 weeks from the date of submission of the initial application. If you are turned down an appeal for CIA will take another 12 weeks from the date they received your request for an appeal in writing.

If you`re turned down for CIA can you still apply for ELB?, can you claim ELB if you have a job ?, or is that only if you are found unempolyable?

ScottyG wrote:I havent read all your posts Artie. Nevertheless....Your psychiatrist is a Med doctor his report for PTSD etc is all you need. Family doctors if you have one will 99% of the time support your psychiatrist report. Additionally, if you have just a psychologist his or her reports usually supported by family doctors.
In many of our situations with PTSD etc the psychologist report meets the requirements for Sisip LTD and Vet affairs ELB not a MD necessarily.

I hope so, I`m not going to a Dr. for a 1 time visit with a form in my hand and have to start explaining to a stranger the events of my military career that led to my mental condition, I doubt a regular Dr. would know what to do with the information anyway.

CIA is 12 weeks from the service standard date ....that date is where they have all the neccessary information to make a decision. Expect an answer within 16-20 weeks from the date of submission of the initial application. If you are turned down an appeal for CIA will take another 12 weeks from the date they received your request for an appeal in writing.

I havent read all your posts Artie. Nevertheless....Your psychiatrist is a Med doctor his report for PTSD etc is all you need. Family doctors if you have one will 99% of the time support your psychiatrist report. Additionally, if you have just a psychologist his or her reports usually supported by family doctors.
In many of our situations with PTSD etc the psychologist report meets the requirements for Sisip LTD and Vet affairs ELB not a MD necessarily.

Newfie wrote:Artie, I was working and was unreliable for work so I left work and have since been deemed unemployable by my Doctor. I appplied for ELB in October and was granted ELB top since November and I am NOT on vocational rehab but Medical Rehab.

My CM appiled for CIA on my behalf 12 weeks ago, I`ve heard nothing back, I guess you were one of the lucky ones that got an answer in 30 days like they promise. There would be no point in me taking Vocational REHAB until my physical/mental needs are taken care of, but I`ve been seeing a Psychologist for 2 years and I`ve read his assessment he sees long term progress as non existant as over the years my view of society has become skewed. he suggests a drug to change my mental patterns and lessen my abilty to grow angry but I`m not taking any more mind altering pills

Trooper wrote:

Artie Simm wrote:Just to clarify, I already know about the REHAB program, my concern is, what if you attempt the program, but don`t get satisfactory results and are deemed unemployable, what happens then?

The rehab program is the first step in qualifying for the Earnings Loss Benefit.

If you attempt the program and are deemed unemployable, this will green light you for the Earnings Loss Benefit.

Earnings Loss Benefit: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/transition/rehabilitation/earnings-loss

Note: Rehab does not necessarily mean work, a program will be set up to meet your standards.

This is a good starting point for you.

In terms of other benefits from VAC, CIA and the CIAS.           Veterans Independence Program (VIP)  
          Family Caregiver Relief Benefit.

Outside of VAC, Canada Pension Plan Disability - Disability Tax Credit.

Regarding filling out applications you will need support from a Physician. If you do not have a family physician, and have a specialist, you can use your specialist for certain applications, those that require a family physician, talk with your specialist and ask him or her to help you with obtaining a family physician.

You should also look into a case manager if you do not have one, be in command when dealing with these case managers. Don't ever let them discourage you from applying for any benefit, their job is to help you with your applications.

We will support you here on the forum with any assistance you require.

Great job in asking the questions!

Your questions helps others as well!

I don`t particulary like airing my dirty laundry in public, but I find this place has the best answers. I do have a CM they filed for CIA on my behalf 3 months ago but I`ve heard nothing back. My main concern is, it was hard enough to find a suitable psychiatrist to dump all my baggage in front of, what do you mean by a "Specialist'?, I don`t know how to go about obtaining a family physician, there is a phone # you can call that spits out a list of Dr. that are accepting new patients, but I just can`t see me walking into a Dr. office and explaining why I`m so "Removed By Trooper" the head. My psychiatrist knows why, is that not enough to fill out any and all forms thrown at me by VAC. because if a health physician is required I`m at a roadblock. I have lots of those, alcholism, my temper, my view of the world, I manged to hold my current job because it pigeon holed me into a spot no one else wanted so my employer tolerated my idiosyncracies but I looked at the requirements for REHAB I`m over 50 with no marketable skills,I could never return to a school trades training and even if I did get through it would not enough to feed a family on. Even if Medical rehab helped me get a control on my drinking, and education training got me another job, it`s my mouth, anger and behaviour that are making me unemployable in the work force, the only solution my psychiatrist can come up with is medication, but after what Mefloquine did to me I`m not taking any more drugs

Artie, I was working and was unreliable for work so I left work and have since been deemed unemployable by my Doctor. I appplied for ELB in October and was granted ELB top since November and I am NOT on vocational rehab but Medical Rehab.