The Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) disability benefits are offered by Veteran Affairs Canada to help support the well-being of those who have served in the armed forces. If you’re a veteran who’s suffering from a disability, you may be eligible for financial support.
Key Points
- The VAC Disability Program provides a tax-free payment to support the well-being of veterans with a disability.
- Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering or a disability pension.
- You can choose to be paid a monthly benefit or a lump sum payment.
What Is The Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Disability Program?
The Veterans Affairs Canada disability program operates through the Bureau of Pensions Advocates. It is a tax-free monetary payment that is meant to support the welfare of qualifying veterans.
Based on need, the amount beneficiaries receive depends on your entitlement level and your condition’s severity. The more your disability reduces your quality of life, the higher the value of the benefit. This is determined through an assessment performed by VAC.
Who Is Eligible For The VAC Disability Program?
To qualify for this benefit, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or a veteran thereof
- Be either a former or current Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) member
- Be a veteran of World War II or the Korean War, including the Merchant Navy
- Be a qualifying civilian who served during World War II
If you fall into one of the above categories, have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, and can prove that your injury originated from your service, then you should apply. To be eligible for the plan, you must meet all of the above criteria.
VAC Disability Payment Dates 2024
As with most government-issued benefits, you can register for direct deposits to receive the payment on the day the benefit gets issued. The VAC disability and pension payment dates for 2024 are as follows:
| Benefit Payment Dates |
| January 30 |
| February 28 |
| March 27 |
| April 29 |
| May 30 |
| June 27 |
| July 30 |
| August 29 |
| September 26 |
| October 30 |
| November 28 |
| December 23 |
VAC Benefits
Depending on your situation, you can qualify for one of two types of benefits.
Compensation For Pain and Suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering comes in either the form of a lifetime monthly benefit or as a lump sum amount. The choice lies with the beneficiary, with specific amounts as follows:
| Rate of Pain and Suffering Compensation (%) | Disability Extent (%) | Monthly Benefit ($) | Lump Sum Amount ($) |
| 5 | 5-7 | $67.77 | $22,049.60 |
| 20 | 18-22 | $271.08 | $88,198.39 |
| 40 | 38-42 | $542.15 | $176,396.78 |
*The table above is a shortened sample, for the full list of rates please click here.
Disability Pension
Disability pension provides a lifetime benefit, paid monthly. It increases depending on how severely your disability impacts your life. The VAC performs an assessment to determine the level at which the issue impacts your ability to function. This determines the class into which you get categorized.
Additionally, if the qualifying veteran has any dependents such as children or a spouse, then the amount increases. Here’s an example:
| Monthly Benefit ($) | Additional Monthly Payments ($) | ||||
| Class | Single Veteran | With Spouse | One Child | Second Child | Each Additional Child |
| 1 | $3,357.30 | $839.33 | $436.45 | $318.94 | $251.80 |
| 5 | $2,685.84 | $671.46 | $349.16 | $255.15 | $201.44 |
If there is exceptional incapacitation, there is an additional allowance issued based on severity. The highest amount is $1,777.25 and the lowest is $592.44 per month. There are other benefits, such as Critical Injury and Death Benefit, that address the immediate expenses paid after extreme circumstances.
How To Apply For The VAC Disability Program?
If you are an eligible veteran and plan to apply for the VAC benefit, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Method Of Application
You can apply in one of 3 ways:
- By phone: 1-866-522-2122
- Online through your My VAC Account (this is the fastest way)
- In person at a Veterans Affairs Canada office, Service Canada office, or Royal Canadian Legion
Complete your application form, sign, it, and be sure to indicate whether you’ve received other compensation for your condition.
Step 2: Have Your Healthcare Practitioner Sign Your Medical Questionnaire
Once you apply for disability benefits, you will be sent a medical questionnaire to be completed and signed by your doctor. It must include a formal diagnosis. Be sure to include as much supporting information as possible, such as X-rays or MRI reports. Then, send Veterans Affairs the completed paperwork.
Step 3: Wait For Your Application To Be Reviewed
Your application will be thoroughly reviewed once you’ve sent it in. If there is anything missing, you will be contacted to clear it up.
Step 4: VA Will Access Your Health Records And Review Your Condition
A copy of your health records will be accessed by VA. This can be a lengthy process and can take as long as 3 months. To expedite this process, make sure all information you provide is accurate and up-to-date, and include as much documentation and proof of your condition as possible.
Once all necessary information has been received, your condition will be reviewed, including when it started, how severe it is, and the effect it has on your life.
Step 5: Wait For A Decision
After reviewing your application and all relevant paperwork, the adjudicator will determine whether you are eligible for Disability Benefits. If you’re approved, the adjudicator will determine how much you’re eligible to receive. You’ll receive this information in a letter.
Step 6: Receive Your Payment
If you’re eligible for Disability Benefits, your benefit amount will be calculated. You’ll start receiving payments shortly after. To receive your payments faster, make sure to include your direct deposit information along with your application.
If you have any issues with the online service, you can call 1-866-522-2122 or visit Service Canada or Royal Legion and complete the application in person. You can download the forms, fill them out, and mail them in rather than completing an online application.
What If I Don’t Agree With the Decision?
If you do not agree with the decision made about your VAC disability benefits application, you have the right to request an application review or appeal hearing. You can get assistance with this process from one of the following:
- Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA)
- Royal Canadian Legion Service Officers
- Office Of The Veterans Ombud (OVO)
Before you decide to go ahead with your request for a review or appeal hearing, make sure you understand the reasons for the decision, whether any information was missed or inaccurate, and if you have any additional information that could change the decision.
Additional Veteran Programs You May Qualify For
Regardless of whether you qualify for the VAC disability benefits, there are other Veteran support benefits you may be able to access. These include:
Critical Injury Benefit
The Critical Injury benefit has a cash value of $87,992.30 that gets issued as a lump sum amount. It is entirely tax-free and is designed to address the immediate results of traumatic and severe injuries or diseases that result from service.
Rehabilitation Services
This service is a part of the Income Replacement Benefit and is meant to supply 90% of your gross, pre-discharge military salary. It is available while you participate in Rehabilitation Services through the VAC. The benefit provides a minimum income of $54,812.92 yearly, before tax.
Clothing Allowance
If you receive a disability benefit for an issue that directly causes extra wear and tear on your clothing, then you can qualify for this benefit. It also applies if you have a service-related disability that causes you to require specialty clothing.
There are 10 tiers for the benefit, each representing a different level of severity. The highest value of the benefit is $251.74 and the lowest amount is $27.91.
Treatment Benefits
Treatment benefits offer financial benefits and a variety of services to assist veterans in maintaining health. If you qualify, you can get a VAC healthcare card that covers medical out-of-pocket expenses for things like prosthetics and prescriptions. The actual amount of coverage depends on the severity of your issue.
Benefits For Survivors
Financial support is provided for survivors (spouse, children, etc.) of a pensioner receiving disability, a member of the armed forces, or a Veteran who died while serving.
Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation
This tax-free benefit is issued to veterans who incur a permanent, service-induced disability. The extreme severity must pose a barrier to the veteran becoming established as a civilian after service.
As with the other benefits, it varies based on how much the disability impacts the veteran. The minimum value is $589.30 monthly, while the maximum is $1,767.89 per month.
Attendance Allowance
This benefit is meant to compensate for the price of hiring a caregiver, whether full or part-time, to assist with regular activities. It varies from $355.57 to $2,221.53 per month, based on how severe the disability is. Attendance refers to the amount of time the caregiver spends tending to the needs of the veteran.
Exceptional Incapacity Allowance
A tax-free benefit issued monthly, the exceptional incapacity allowance is for serious injuries or illnesses that drastically impact the veteran’s quality of life. Provided the veteran undergoes ongoing pain, emotional, mental, or physical, the benefit has a value of up to $1,777.25. As with the other benefits, it is based on the severity of the issue.
What Is The VAC VIP Program?
The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is a tax-free benefit that is meant to assist veterans in retaining independence within their homes and can assist with costs such as landscaping, personal care, transportation, nutritional requirements, and other needs. The program coordinates with various registered service providers and reimburses them directly, requiring no out-of-pocket expenses.
If the veteran uses non-registered providers, they can submit receipts for reimbursement. For situations where the veteran is awaiting payment, the VAC processes it along with their regular monthly benefit payments.
Other Disability Programs In Canada
In addition to the VAC Disability Program, there are other disability-related credits and supplements that may be worth looking into to see if you qualify:
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
The Disability Tax Credit in Canada is a non-refundable tax credit that persons living with disabilities or their caregivers can claim to reduce the income taxes they must pay. In turn, this can help offset some of the costs associated with the disability. The maximum amount you can claim if you’re 18 years and older is $9,428.
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
The Medical Expense Tax Credit is available to Canadians who spend a significant amount of money on medical costs for themselves, their spouses, or dependents.
Qualifying medical expenses may include dental services, nursing home services, prescription medication, and hearing aids, among others. The maximum amount you can claim is $2,635 or 3% of your net income, whichever is lower.
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement
The Refundable Medical Expense Supplement is available to low-income working Canadians who pay high medical or disability support expenses. The maximum supplement is either $1,399 or 25% of both medical expenses and disability support expenses, whichever one is lower.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
In addition to the credits and benefits available to those with a disability, there is also a government-backed savings plan available to help you save up and ensure you have enough money to care for yourself.
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long-term savings account that is designed to help Canadians who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The savings accumulated in the plan help to ensure there is enough money available to cover the costs of medical expenses and other related costs over the long run. The plan may also be available to parents and caretakers of a disabled person.
You can apply for 2 types of plans when you open an RDSP account:
- The Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG). The federal government will match your contribution to your RDSP with a CDSG. The government may contribute up to $3,500 in grants annually, with a maximum lifetime grant of $70,000.
- The Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB). Lower-income households may be eligible for the CDSB without having to make any contributions. You’ll automatically receive the bond into your RDSP plan if you qualify. You’ll be eligible up until the year you turn 49. The annual benefit amount is up to $1,000 annually, with a maximum lifetime limit of $20,000.
Final Notes
Whether you’re a qualifying veteran or know someone who may benefit from these services, it can help to understand how VAC disability benefits work. The easiest way to access financial assistance is to use the online portal to reach your veteran’s account and apply within the portal. By taking advantage of the programs available to you as a veteran, you can claim the benefits you earned while serving your country.
