Career Impact Allowance (CIA) and the Career Impact Allowance Supplement (CIAS)

Received a favourable decision today. So a full 24 weeks for a decision. Only problem is I don't see any funds being back dates to date of application only this months payment of CIA. Am I correct that VAC should pay back to date of application which is April 1st for me?

I applied CIA April 1st and my VAC says I was out at step 3 April 1st as well. I previously applied when it was PIA and was denied. I still have not received a decision yet and am on my 24th week. I have inquired bit was simply told that the amount of applications coming in has slowed everything down. I continue to wait.

Good Afternoon,

I just got off the phone with VAC...
If you applied for CIA and CIA supplement after April 2017, I guess you won't be seeing a decision letter at the prolonged 16 week mark. VAC told me the estimate Service Standard date of 16 weeks is now lapse by 6 to 8 weeks and could be a 24 weeks wait time before getting a decision letter.
Has any one heard anything different?

Furthermore, the VAC operator had an abrupt grouchy attitude with me...
Pretty much what I got from our conversation was....IT WILL GET THERE WHEN IT GETS THERE!

Cheers,
By the Bay

Any letter that is sent to a Veteran by VAC is recorded in their data base. There should be no reason why those answering the phone from the 1 800 VAC number cannot answer any questions relating to any letter. That's what they get paid for, to answer questions from Veterans.
If for some reason the question is to complicated to be answered by the VAC employee, that employee should take the question to the supervisor and get the question answered one way or another. After all, the context of the letters are written from VAC, leaving a Veteran with an unanswered question is not only frustrating and stressful to the Veteran, it also undermines the integrity of VAC.

As I have said many times before, we better all get use to seeing things like CIA, DEC and so forth, this is what the NVC is all about, creating complex and sometimes down right stupid changes to induce future workloads for the bureaucrats. Let's look at the CIA, Career Impact Allowance, one would think that any human being that is let go or released from their employment for medical reasons have had their career impacted, if this is the case, all medically released Veterans should automatically qualify for the CIA. Same goes for the DEC, all who have been medically released have had their earnings diminished. So if these two examples are not proof of make work projects for the future of the bureaucrats, I just don't know what is.

Johnny211,

You know what would be great? If VAC had a "Let's Chat" option on their website. Geez, if small online store can support that type of communication than VAC should be able to implement it as well....
This way if a Veteran has an important question that they are stressing over, especially during the night when the hamster wheel is turning in our brains, they can  immediately answer our questions. It would take a very small staff to operate this option....

This waiting for reply through VAC My Account or waiting days for Case Manager to return phone calls is for the birds....


Cheers,

By the Bay

Called my CM in reference to this delay.

Your claim is at the decision making level. All your supporting documentation was received on June 15, 2017. Although we strive to provide a decision within 6 weeks, provided a previous CIA decision has been completed, we are currently experiencing a higher than normal volume of applications.
NOTE: I am approved CIA, so I know that's completed.

My physician (psychiatrist) told me to apply for the DEC.

This is all BS!
None of my fellow veterans (friends prior to the NVC 2006) have to jump throw so many hoops!
A lesson for all!
If you're injured, document and gather plenty of witness statements to back you up and prepare your mind and soul for the fight of a lifetime with VAC.

It seems crazy that we the injured Vets, have to dig into para and sub paras in VAC,s massive Policy's. They have so complicated a simple system, with their add ons when it should be under one name. Cranky Old Rad Op, just having his first cup of joe, and oil for the day. But there objective of having a layered system, is so only the toughest like this forum, will plug away with there crap red tape..Out, VVV...

Thanks ScottyG!

I guess I need a special decoder to understand all VAC policies/terminology. 😂 I am confused most days but since my dealings with VAC, I'm starting to get wrinkles! Lol

Cheers,
By the Bay

I can help ! By the bay if you were previously approved for rehab services if so you are still entitled to CIA and CIA s if you have DEC . Once you are deemed DEC ....your rehab can be transfer to a spouse and also if you get better you can ask to be put back on voc rehab.
If you get CIA its for life unless things medically change for the better. CIA s is granted if you are DEC.

I think I may have found the answer to my question....Under Policy Document CIA/CIAS located in the sub category for Eligibility it states:


Eligibility

"11. CIA is payable to a Veteran who:
has one or more physical or mental health problems that are creating a permanent and severe impairment, and
the Veteran has, in respect of each of those health problems,
had an application for rehabilitation services approved; and
received a disability award or a disability pension, or would have received an award or pension but has not as the sum of the Veteran’s assessments and deemed assessments exceeds 100%, or has not received a disability award as the disability has not yet stabilized.

12. The phrase "has had an application for rehabilitation services approved" will include those cases where the Veteran has already completed a rehabilitation plan.  It will also include those cases where it is determined, based on assessment, that the client has a Diminished Earning Capacity."

Please correct me if I am wrong, according to paragraph 12.... I may still be eligibility for CIA under this criteria???

Does this sound correct or am I wishful thinking!


Cheers,
By the Bay

my letter was almost verbatim Pinger.  except it said vocational rehabilitation.  I still get psycho-social rehabilitation.

Hello all,
Bottom line BTB try to contact your cm in person or have them visit YOU if possible.
Mmm, VaC wording sure does get confusing on it's own doesn't it ?
And the last thing I wanna do is create more confusion. But I'll try lol.


BTB wrote " a letter from VAC stating that " a rehabilitation plan will not be developed for you. As no rehabilitation needs were not identified in your recent case mangers assessment, your participation in the Rehabilition Services and Vocational Program is completed." "

So what the heck was completed ? A Pass or Fail ELB... to approach other benefits ?
I went through the ELB/Canvet thing a few years ago (that was then).

I did not apply for PIA PIAS or TPI until after I got a letter stating, and I quote...
" It has been determined that you have completedyour rehabilitation program as there is evidence that further rehabilitation interventions will not be effective in achieving the rehabilitation case plan desired outcomes " Medical...

Bottom line, see the cm IN PERSON and eye to eye.

---- I wonder if my rehab participation was completed because I was deemed DEC last month?----
??? I don't know but I'm lending you my lucky horseshoe btb

Stay well very all...

I'm still on Rehab and DEC.
My appeal is taking forever. Seems like no one wants to help. super frustrating.

Thanks Trooper!

I have been waiting for my case manager to call me back but she is out of the office for the rest of the week. I also call VAC and asked if I still meet the criteria for ELB and CIA but the operator was unsure of the Requirements needed to be approved for CIA once the Rehab program has been completed. She has not heard of this situation! And suggested that I ask my case manager for clarification.

I wonder if my rehab participation was completed because I was deemed DEC last month?

Cheers,
By the Bay

Trooper wrote:

By the Bay wrote:Hi,
I just received a letter from VAC stating that " a rehabilitation plan will not be developed for you. As no rehabilitation needs were not identified in your recent case mangers assessment, your participation in the Rehabilition Services and Vocational Program is completed."

Does this mean I will not be approved for CIA benefits that I have applied for because I am no longer under a Rehabilitation plan?
I am so confused at this point because I thought I had to be in a Rehabilition plan in order to be approved for CIA..
Cheers,
By the Bay

If you were approved for rehab, but could not participate because of what was written by your case manager, and they are saying your rehab is complete, this could mean that you have met the criteria for the CIA and the ELB with respect to completing your rehab part of the criteria for the CIA and ELB, after all, they did say your rehab is complete.

So my advice would be to contact VAC and ask them if this letter means you have met the criteria for both the CIA and the ELB with respect to the rehab aspect of it, being that the letter states that your rehab is completed.

Just one more point to add to this By the Bay,

In the letter I also see where they state that "your participation in the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Program is completed."

That part of the letter acknowledges your participation in the rehab service which is the criteria for the CIA and ELB.

So you should be good to go regarding your CIA.