EDMONTON, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, today highlighted new benefits for Veterans and their families.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Veterans and their families have the support and services they need by introducing the following new measures:
- The new Retirement Income Security Benefit, which would provide moderately to severely disabled Veterans—those who need it most—with continued assistance in the form of a monthly income support payment beginning at age 65.
- The new Family Caregiver Relief Benefit, which would provide eligible Veterans with a tax-free, annual grant of up to $7,238 so that their informal caregivers—who are often their spouse or other devoted family members—will have flexibility or relief when they need it while also ensuring that the Veterans' care needs are met.
- Broadened eligibility criteria for the Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) which, together with the PIA Supplement, provides approximately $600 to $2,800 a month in life-long monthly financial support to Veterans whose employment potential and career advancement opportunities have been limited by a permanent service-related injury or illness.
- Enhanced benefits for injured part-time Reserve Force Veterans, who will now be assured the same minimum income support payment through the Earnings Loss Program as full-time Reserve Force and Regular Force Veterans.
The Government of Canada will continue to ensure that Canadian Veterans and their families have the support they need, and are treated with care, compassion and respect.
Quick Facts
- Proposed new services and expanded eligibility for existing programs are expected to benefit thousands of Veterans and their families today and in the future.
- Many of the measures introduced respond directly to the recommendations of Veterans advocates, including the Veterans Ombudsman and the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA).
Quote
"We are taking action on the issues that are most important to Veterans and their families. I believe the Government of Canada has taken major strides to close the gaps in the New Veterans Charter and increase supports for our most seriously injured and their families."
The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs
"The improvements our Government is making to supports for Canada's seriously injured Veterans, reservists and their families address the concerns of Veterans right here in Edmonton. These new services will greatly improve the well-being of our Veterans and their families."
The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
Associated Links
- Backgrounder – Retirement Security Income Benefit
- Backgrounder – Respect for reservists
- Backgrounder – Expansion of Permanent Impairment Allowance eligibility
- Backgrounder – Family Caregiver Relief Benefit
- Mental Health Services for Veterans
Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to ensuring Veterans are treated with the care, compassion and respect they deserve. Veterans and their families are at the centre of everything we do. #Veterancentric
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Martin Magnan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649; Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468
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