Honoring Veterans

References

Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (CFMVRCA), Pension Act, Veterans Health Care Regulations (VHCR), Children of Deceased Veterans Education Assistance Act, DAOD 5018-2, CFAO 24-6

Purpose

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members, Veterans their survivors and/or dependent children may be eligible for benefits and services administered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

Eligibility

Eligibility for benefits and services vary. Specific requirements for entitlement are in the details section that follow.

Death Benefit

The Death Benefit (DB) is a non-taxable, lump sum benefit payable to survivors and dependent children that recognizes and compensates for the non-economic impacts of a sudden service-related death, which includes the member's loss of life, the resulting loss of guidance, care and companionship; and the impact of the member's death on the functioning of the household.

If a DB is payable to a surviving spouse/common-law partner or a dependent child, the benefit will be awarded as follows: 

• Where there are no dependent children - 100% to surviving spouse/common-law partner;
• Where there is a survivor and dependent children - 50% to the survivor and 50% to the dependent children, divided equally amongst them
• Where there is no survivor – 100% to the dependent children divided equally amongst them if there is more than one.

Funeral and Burial Assistance

Matter-of-Right: A Veteran who dies while on treatment strength of VAC, or a disability pensioner who is deemed to have died either from a pension condition(s) or a condition which can be related to military service may be entitled to full funeral and burial benefits up to the maximum amounts payable under current legislation as a matter-of-right (no means test is performed on the estate of the deceased). Arrangements may also be made for funeral and burial benefits when a Veteran dies without next-of-kin.

Means Tested: Funeral and burial assistance may be provided to:

• a Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy Veteran of the Second World War (1 September 1939 to 1 April 1947)
• a Canadian Veteran of the Korean War who served in the theatre of operations, or has been part of the Special Forces designated to go to the Republic of Korea anytime before 31 October 1953
• a Veteran who served in the CAF and is receiving a disability benefit, an earnings loss benefit or a CAF income support benefit from VAC
• an Allied Veteran who served with the Allied Forces during the Second World War or the Korean War and has also lived in Canada for at least 10 years, or lived in Canada prior to enlisting and was living in Canada at time of death

If the estate of the deceased and the financial resources of any surviving spouse are not sufficient to pay the expenses of the funeral and burial (as determined by a means test) then assistance may be provided to cover all or part of the cost.

Contact

For more information on available services and benefits, to find out if you qualify, or to apply:

• Web site: www.veterans.gc.ca
• E-mail: information@vac-acc.gc.ca
• 1-866-522-2122 (English)
• 1-866-522-2022 (French)
• Veterans Affairs Canada
  
PO Box 7700, Charlottetown PEI

  C1A 8M9
• VAC District Office
• Integrated Personnel Support Centre
• Service Canada Office