The Service Officer’s Toolbox

Introduction Joseph Waugh Command Service Officer BC Mainland/Yukon (604) 575-8840 joseph.waugh@legionbcyukon.ca Clifford Rose Command Service Officer Vancouver Island (250) 381-3992 Clifford.Rose@legionbcyukon.ca

Benefits and Services including Eligibility Agenda Benefits and Services including Eligibility But first…

The Legion Claim Form The first tool in your toolbox. This form formally allows the Command Service Officer to represent a client to VAC. Without it, a Service Officer has no authority to act on their behalf. It must be signed twice to be considered valid: in sections A or B, and D .

Section B is for one-time authority Section A gives authority for an unlimited time period Sections A and B are Mutually Exclusive! Section C allows case to be used as a precedent

Condition is identified as First Application Section 8 is reserved for conditions, not benefits. Each condition is briefly stated and numbered This claim is indicated as a Departmental Review Section D MUST be signed

Photo ID Note: If claim falls under PA, then photo ID of spouse is also required Write client’s service number on page with photo ID If client is already registered with VAC, write client’s File (HO) number instead

Benefits and Services I don’t know. Talk to a Branch Service Officer. Al, do you think I’m entitled to benefits?

VAC Programs and Eligibility VAC has many different programs that target many different kinds of veterans. Eligibility varies between programs, but the most popular are: Veterans Independence Program (VIP) War Veterans Allowance (WVA) Long Term Care (LTC) Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) Earnings Loss Benefit (ELB) Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA)

Veterans Independence Program Veterans receive financial assistance in procuring services such as grounds maintenance; housekeeping; personal care; access to nutrition; health and support services provided by a health professional

Veterans Independence Program Eligibility (one or more of the following): Disability Pension or Award ** In receipt of POW Compensation Eligible but unable to access Long-Term Care A low-income (GIS) or disabled (DTC) survivor of an eligible veteran The eligibility guidelines are just that: guidelines. Just because a veteran meets one of these criteria does not automatically entitle them to VIP, but it might be a good idea for them to apply. The most fool-proof way to qualify for VIP is to have won a Disability Pension or Award. Often, but not always, the condition that a veteran is pensioned for must obstruct a Veteran’s ability to care for themselves in some way in order for the veteran to qualify, though there is the frail-pensioner clause.

War Veteran’s Allowance A monthly allowance to War-Veterans to ensure a minimum standard of income. Available only to low-income Veterans of WWII and Korea and their survivors Provides funds to a predetermined maximum The rate of pay is not the sum of money that a vet will receive. VAC will take into account a veteran’s income and top up the amount to these maximums. Only veterans making less than the amount shown may receive funds. Apply directly to VAC. Maximum per month Single Married Each additional dependent child $1,559.45 $2,324.01 $247.33

Long Term Care There are two types of Long Term Care: Community beds are in community facilities with beds that provide nursing home care to Veterans as well as other provincial residents. Contract beds are in community facilities that have beds designated for priority access for eligible Veterans (such as George Derby). *Referral is the responsibility of Provincial Health Authorities

Attendance Allowance Provides funds to provide home-care for Veterans who require assistance with tasks of daily living Eligibility criteria: Be awarded a Disability Pension of 1% or more or Prisoner of War compensation; Be totally disabled by reason of military service or not; Be "in need of attendance“, defined as the need for assistance or supervision of another individual with feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility or medication administration.

Last Post Fund Provides Funds to ensure Veterans may receive a dignified funeral Eligibility is primarily based on means If a Veteran dies of a service-related condition, burial may be offered without means test Apply directly to LPF The financial benchmark for the means-test is rather low. This can be a difficult program to qualify for, however, it is usually in the best interest of the estate to contact that Last Post Fund to inquire directly. In general, it is better to inquire and be turned down than to fail to inquire at all. A burial as a matter-of-right is the only way to avoid a means test. Matter-of-Right When a Veteran’s death is related to military service due to a condition for which Veterans Affairs Canada provided a disability benefit, assistance may be granted as a matter-of-right (no means testing needs to be performed). This must be determined by a medical authority from Veterans Affairs Canada.

Vocational Rehab/Earnings Loss Benefit Vocational Rehabilitation. Vocational professionals will work with a Veteran to help transfer their skills and education to build a rewarding civilian career. Vocational rehabilitation or vocational assistance may include: 1. help to identify a suitable job; 2. career finding services (such as résumé writing and interview skills); 3. financial support for training and related costs (such as tuition and books).

Vocational Rehab/Earnings Loss Benefit While undergoing Vocational Rehab, a Veteran may be eligible for… Earnings Loss Benefit (ELB) The Earnings Loss Benefit is a taxable, monthly benefit that ensures a Veteran’s total income will be at least 75% of their gross pre-release military salary. Note: If the Veteran is deemed to be unable to return to work, ELB can be extended to age 65.

Permanent Impairment Allowance The Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) is a taxable, monthly benefit—payable for life. Eligibility: A severe and permanent impairment for which a Veteran has received a disability benefit, and a VAC-approved application for rehabilitation services.

Mental Health

(Operational Stress Injury Social Support) OSISS (Operational Stress Injury Social Support) Joint program between VAC and DND In layman’s terms, OSISS is a network of peer support groups that provide weekly support meetings for Veterans with an operational stress injury (OSI). Meetings are moderated by a Peer Support Coordinator that is typically a former CF Veteran that has first-hand, lived experience of an OSI and the possible impacts. At these meetings Veterans can share their struggles and their successes with other Veterans that are going through the same thing.

OSISS Eligibility: Any member of the Canadian Forces who feels that they are suffering from an OSI. The condition: Does NOT have to be clinically diagnosed Does NOT have to strictly be PTSD At these meetings Veterans can share their struggles and their successes with other Veterans that are going through the same thing. * Call Command Service Officer for referral!!

Veterans Transition Program Free, guided group therapy designed to create a peer support network and help a Veteran make the mental transition from military to civilian life. Be proud. This is a Legion program!! Sessions take place in a completely confidential environment facilitated by clinicians and paraprofessionals, focusing on the transition process, the effects of trauma on the person, building skills for self-regulation, communication skills, and completing “unfinished business”. More info at http://vtncanada.org/ Command Service Officer makes referral

24 Hour Crisis Line Free, 24 Hour call centre staffed by professional counsellors. They can: Do on the spot crisis intervention Provide short-term referrals for sessions with local Mental Health Care Providers Talk over any concern the Veteran might have such as: transition to civilian life marital and family problems personal and emotional problems conflict at work or home grief any other concerns affecting well-being 1-800-268-7708

Scenarios

Scenario #1 An elderly widow of a WWII Veteran says she needs housekeeping and grounds-keeping services. What should you do? Q1: Did your husband have a disability pension through VAC? A1: No. Q2: Did he have poor hearing at the time of his death? Maybe you could lodge a posthumous claim for Hearing Loss. A2: Ok. Q3: Are you in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplements (GIS)? A3: Yes.

Scenario #1 Possible Benefits? Disability Pension In the event that VAC awards entitlement for the condition of Hearing Loss, this widow will become eligible for a Disability Pension. War Veterans Allowance (WVA) Because this widow is in receipt of GIS, she is likely to be considered “Low-Income”, and as a widow of a WWII Veteran she may be entitled to WVA. Veterans Independence Program (VIP) If this widow’s posthumous claim for Hearing Loss is successful, or if she is granted WVA, she may qualify for VIP on the basis of a Disability Pension and Low income, or on the basis of her receipt of WVA.

Scenario #2 A Veteran of the peacekeeping mission to the former Yugoslavia claims that he has PTSD, and needs help. What should you do? Q1: Have you filed a claim with VAC for the condition? A1: No. FU: You should talk with a Command Service Officer about filing a claim for PTSD. Q2: Have you heard of OSISS? A2: No. FU: (explain OSISS). If you’re interested, you should talk with a Command Service Officer about it. They can make a referral. It can be completely anonymous if that’s what you want.

Scenario #2 Q3: Have you heard of the Veterans Transition Program? A3: No. FU: (explain VTP) If you’re interested, you should talk with a Command Service Officer about it. They can make a referral. Q4: If you ever feel like you’re in crisis, or if you just need someone to talk to call 1-800-268-7708. A4: I will.

Scenario #2 Possible Benefits? Disability Award In the event that VAC awards entitlement for the condition of PTSD, this Veteran will be eligible to receive a disability award in the form of a lump-sum. Vocational Rehab/Earnings Loss Benefit If the Veteran is awarded entitlement for PTSD, and the condition has impeded their ability to engage with the civilian workforce, they may be eligible to receive Voc Rehab and ELB. Permanent Impairment Allowance If the Veteran is awarded entitlement for PTSD, and is engaged with Voc Rehab/ELB, they may receive this allowance if their symptoms are of a sufficient severity.

Scenario #2 Possible Benefits? OSISS If the Veteran feels that their PTSD is service related, they are eligible to join a peer support group. Veterans Transition Program If the Veteran feels his PTSD is service related, they are eligible to attend VTP. 24 Hour Crisis Line Any CF member or family of a CF member can call this line!

VAC Programs and Eligibility To Recap: The Legion Claim Form Earnings Loss Benefit (ELB) Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) War Veterans Allowance (WVA) OSISS Long Term Care (LTC) Veterans Transition Program Attendance Allowance 24 Hour Crisis Line Last Post Fund Vocational Rehabilitation Questions??

Thank You!