VAC Health, Wellbeing and Transition Programs

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offers a wide range of health, wellbeing and transition programs and services to qualified veterans, including still-serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, RCMP members, and certain civilians. Some of these services may also be available to their families or survivors.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFIT

The Education and Training Benefit provides up to $80,000 to help you achieve your education and career goals.

This benefit will provide funding to cover tuition, books and living expenses for the education of your choice.

  • Available to all honourably released Veterans, Regular and Reserve, with at least 6 years of service
  • Eligible Veterans who released after April 1, 2006 will have up until March 31, 2028 to use this benefit
  • Eligible Veterans who release after April 1, 2018 will have ten years from the date of their release to use this benefit

Veterans will not be limited to formal post-secondary training. The benefit may also be used for career or personal development courses that give Veterans purpose and help them feel satisfied with their main post-military job or activity.

CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

VAC Career Transition Services (CTS) provides access to career counselors who offer information about the job market, career counseling, job search training and job finding. This program is available to:

  • A serving CAF member or Veteran who completed basic training on or after April 1, 2006; and their survivor, spouse or common-law partner
  • A Veteran or survivor who is entitled to the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit.

If you are a CAF member, Veteran or survivor, you are eligible for the CTS program at any stage of your working life. If you have already released, your spouse or common-law partner may receive benefits from the CTS program until March 31, 2020. If you are serving, your spouse or common-law partner will have two years from the date of your release to access the program.

REHABILITATION SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

The VAC Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program provides CAF veterans with access to medical, psycho-social and vocational rehabilitation services or vocational assistance services to support their transition to civilian life. CAF veterans are supported by individual case management services throughout the program.

There are 4 groups of people who may be eligible for the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program:

  • CAF veterans (including some Reservists) who have been medically released within the last 120 days
  • CAF veterans who have a physical or mental health problem resulting primarily from their service in the CAF, which is preventing or limiting their function in the home, community or workplace
  • Spouses or common-law partners of CAF veterans, if the veteran is unable to benefit from vocational rehabilitation (for example, if the veteran is not capable of suitable, gainful employment) as a result of the eligible health problem(s)
  • Survivors of CAF members or veterans who have died as a result of a service related injury or disease
  • There is no time limit for spouses, common-law partners and survivors to apply for the rehabilitation program

Types of rehabilitation services that may be funded through the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program include:

  • Medical rehabilitation servicesincluding services as medical treatment, psychiatric treatment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, prosthetics and aids
  • Psycho-social rehabilitation servicesincluding services as pain management, psychological counselling and life skills training
  • Vocational rehabilitation servicesincluding specialized assessments, vocational counselling and reimbursement for training and related costs, such as tuition and training supplies
  • Vocational assistance servicesincluding employability assessments, career counselling and reimbursement for training and related costs

HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM

The VAC Health Benefits Program provides eligible CAF veterans and survivors with access to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) for themselves and their families. There is a monthly cost for access to the PSHCP.

The following people may qualify for PSHCP benefits:

  • CAF veterans who have been approved for benefits under the Service Income Security Insurance (SISIP) Plan – Long Term Disability (LTD) and do not otherwise qualify for the PSHCP
  • CAF veterans approved for VAC’s Rehabilitation Program who are not otherwise eligible for PSHCP after their release
  • The survivors of CAF members or veterans whose death is service-related and are not otherwise eligible for PSHCP

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

Those who receive benefits through certain VAC disability programs are also eligible for various treatment benefits, which are broken down into 14 Programs of Choice:

  • Aids for daily living
  • Ambulance services
  • Audio services
  • Dental services
  • Hospital services
  • Medical services
  • Medical supplies
  • Nursing services
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Prescription drugs
  • Prosthetics and orthotics
  • Related health services
  • Special equipment
  • Vision (eye) care

Supplementary Benefits are costs associated with travel to receive medical treatment for a disability pensioned/awarded condition, including the cost of travel for an escort, when necessary, may be covered in certain circumstances.

Treatment Allowance is an allowance that is paid to a pensioner who is receiving acute care for a pensioned condition in a hospital or on an outpatient basis.

OTHE PROGRAMS
For information on other health and well-being programs, visit the links below.

MORE INFORMATION

In view of the complexity of VAC Programs and Services, it is recommended that you visit the VAC website http://www.veterans.gc.ca or call toll-free 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French)