Government Implements 3 New Benefits for Canadian Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans

June 30, 2015 – Ottawa – Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, confirmed today that the Retirement Income Security Benefit, the Family Caregiver Relief Benefit, and the Critical Injury Benefit for Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Veterans and their families will come into effect on July 1, 2015.

The Retirement Income Security Benefit will provide moderately to severely disabled military Veterans with continued assistance in the form of a monthly income support payment beginning at age 65.

The Family Caregiver Relief Benefit will provide Armed Forces Veterans with a tax-free annual grant of $7,238, allowing their informal caregivers some relief when they need it, while also ensuring that the Veteran’s care needs are being met.

The Critical Injury Benefit will provide a $70,000 tax-free payment to recognize and compensate severely injured or ill Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans.

Quick Facts:
• The Retirement Income Security Benefit will ensure that an eligible military Veteran’s total annual income is at least 70% of what he or she received in financial benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada before age 65.
• The Family Caregiver Relief Benefit will provide funds to be used for a wide range of relief options such as covering the cost of having a professional caregiver come into the home or covering the cost for another family member or friend to travel to the Armed Forces Veteran’s home.
• The Critical Injury Benefit is being paid to eligible Canadian Armed Forces personnel and military Veterans who have suffered a service-related sudden traumatic injury or developed an acute disease and works in concert with existing services and benefits so that there is a continuum of support from the onset of a traumatic injury or disease.
• These benefits are part of the Government of Canada’s response to the June 2014 House Standing Committee report on Veterans Affairs on the New Veterans Charter. These benefits are in addition to other enhancements of benefits for part-time Reserve Force personnel, expanded eligibility criteria for the Permanent Impairment Allowance, and the hiring of new case managers and additional staff for disability benefits, previously announced by the Minister.

Quotes:
“We promised to implement these benefits as quickly as possible and we are keeping our promises. The Government of Canada, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, continues to ensure that Canadian military Veterans and their families have the support they need and are treated with care, compassion and respect.”
The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs

Associated Links:
• New benefits and services for Veterans and families
• Improving supports for Veterans and families