Financial Assistance for Veterans in Need
You should be aware that there is financial assistance available and there are many organizations that provide financial assistance to veterans and their families who are in financial need.
Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Trust Fund
The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Trust Fund grants are available to veterans including serving and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP members and their dependents that are in financial need. Grants are available for food, fuel, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances or equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or other similar types of assistance. You can apply for financial assistance from The Royal Canadian Legion by contacting the service officer at your local Legion branch, the provincial command or through Dominion Command.
The Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion also acts as a coordinator for several United Kingdom Benevolent Funds through the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League. These funds are generally reserved for veterans and their dependents in need, which suffer misfortune, encounter an emergency or are seriously disadvantaged. If the veteran or dependent is having difficulty making ends meet on an ongoing basis they may also be considered for an annuity.
For more information on financial assistance available from the Legion visit their website http://www.legion.ca or call toll free 1-877-534-4666 to speak to a Legion service officer.
Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund
The Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund is available to provide assistance to veterans and their spouses who served in the navy and are in financial need. Additional information is available on their website http://www.rcnbf.ca or call toll-free 1-888-557-8777 or 1-613-996-5087.
Support Our Troops Program
The Support Our Troops Program, administered by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services provides financial assistance through a number of programs:
- Military Families Fund provides financial assistance to serving and former CAF regular force and reserve force members and their families who may find themselves in unforeseen situations with often immediate financial needs which have resulted from conditions of military service.
- Soldier on Fund supports ill and injured military personnel, including serving and former CAF members and their families, to achieve an active and healthy lifestyle. It supports these personnel in increasing their independence, in developing new skills, in achieving goals and opening the door to other life opportunities. It furnishes an opportunity for them to socialize and explore common interests, and share learning experiences.
- Hospital Comforts Fund ensures that serving CAF members who find themselves hospitalized due to illness, injury, accident or surgery for longer than 48 hours have access to telephone, television, Internet services, and reading material for the duration of their stay in hospital.
For more information any of the funds within the Support Our Troops Program, please send an email to [email protected] or call toll-free 1-877-445-6444.