IS THE DISABILITY AWARD AN INCOME REPLACEMENT OR PROVIDED FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING

Rex,

That is correct but that has to do with untouchable in the event of Garnishment for instance - or if you were to be sued - the disability pension is untouchable.

What I think loggie is talking about is support payments - support payments be it child, or spousal is touchable for either of these supports.

However, the only good news here if you can call it that, is that only the disability pension portion of the DVA income can be attributed towards the calculation of any such payments.

Here is the ref case fact;

Hart v. Hart, {2003} 0.J. No. 2836 (S.C.J), O'Neill J, considered whether the husband's disability pension from Veterans Affairs, which $1,351.99 per Month should be considered for the purpose of child support. In that case, the pension allowance contained an allocation of $511.26 as an "attendance allowance" and $16.07 as a "clothing allowance"

In O'Neill J. reason he quotes from Mackenzie J. in Elliot v. Elliot {1997] A.J. NO.80 at para 10 of those reasons: The attendance allowance has a purpose. That purpose is highly personal to the recipient. It is paid for very special needs and will cease should those needs disappear. It is not intended to provide for the ordinary livelihood of the recipient as is the pension and disability pension. it is Intended only to assist in extraordinary needs of the recipient. In the case of pension payments which are intended to provide livelihood part of those can be assigned to or ordered paid to the opposite spouse because the recipient can change his or her standard of living. In other words, at least to some extent, the recipient can reduce his or her need for those payments. However, in the case of attendance allowance and clothing allowance the recipient cannot change the need for the payment.

Justice O'Neill concluded that the disability pension was income for child support purposes but that the attendance allowance and clothing allowance were not.

So bottom line here is that for support payments from your tax free disability pension from DVA is by law subject to be used in calculating support payments - only the pension portion of your tax free pension should be used - like I have already said - no Lawyers know this - so you can be your own Lawyer and use these case facts to your benefit.

The Pension Act had clear instructions that a disability pension was untouchable.

"30. (1) No award shall be assigned, charged, attached, anticipated, commuted or given as security, and the Minister may refuse to recognize any power of attorney granted by a person with reference to the payment of an award.
Marginal note:Exemption from seizure and execution

(1.1) An award is exempt from seizure and execution, either at law or in equity."

Unfortunately, I could not find any such wording in the the "Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act". It may be there, but I just couldn't find it.

Thanks for the help my brothers and sisters however I am looking for a specific quote/reference that I can hand to the other side and then say, go away.
Any ideas on where to look?
As always thank you and keep well.

Well, after sitting through the SISIP hearing, I can attest that the courts do use PA pensions when calculating child support. Since the child support guidelines were the only legal example used by the GOC lawyers of when the PA could be considered as income. So if you do not have any children under the age of 18, or still in school, your ex should have no claim towards your actual PA pension. The only problem would be that the settlement from the lawsuit was for LTD income replacement, and not Pain and Suffering, so she legally is entitled to half of any money paid for years that you were still together. Your settlement worksheet will detail how much money had been deducted for each year.

it is not an income replacement . it is in fact an award for pain and suffering.

propat

Hi loggie,

Really don't know if this helps - or even comes close to answering your question, but since your talking about your EX seeking more support I will pass the following on to you.

This I do know, when calculating for support with respect to DVA and only the tax free portions of what you are receiving from DVA - " ONLY THE PENSION PORTION OF YOUR PENSION IS CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING YOUR INCOME FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING AMOUNTS PAID FOR SUPPORT "

In English - If you would look at your DVA pay statement, you would see different awards, IE: pension amount / clothing allowance / incapacitated and so on.

The only one that is to be used in the calculation of support is the pension amount, the rest is money allotted to you, and only you, it cannot be used in calculating for support payments.

NOTE: Many lawyers are not familiar with this - as they do not deal with these types of tax free pensions - but I will guarantee you the courts do - I use to have the fact case on this, as I have used it in the past for child support - so it is fact.

And of course any taxed income can be used in calculating support.

Loggie, my understanding is that the disability award from DVA is not intended to be an income replacement but rather compensation for pain and suffering et al, a point confirmed in the lawsuit and the reason it could not be deducted as an earning by Manulife. Again, anyone please confirm.

If any monies you receive are considered earn able income and you receive a T4 slip for them then that be it but as far as anyone taking anything from you ie your retro then I would advise you to seek legal counsel brother. I went through that crap but during the 10 year period I claimed the ex was already gone so it sucked to be her. Hope that helps some

Good day everyone I have been a way for a while trying to get my head unwrapped. If only my massage therapist could get in there and work on the knots!!!
Just when I thought I was making progress along comes my ex. Typical she wants more since I was awarded money from the MacInnis case as well as receiving an increase to my Disability award and being awarded ELB.
I am seeking your help please.
I am trying to find out whether-or-not our Disability Award (not ELB or PIA) but the actual medical pension in provided for pain and suffering OR is it an income supplement?
Any references that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you all in advance for everything you do, whether it be informative insights or little diddies like from Mr Royal.