[ Browse by Service Category : Topics Related to Veteran Membership Organizations (9) ]

Veteran Benefits Assistance

Programs that provide assistance for veterans who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law based on service to their country. The programs may help veterans understand the eligibility criteria for benefits and services, the benefits and services provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits and services application forms; negotiate on their behalf with Veteran Affairs Canada staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are veteran rights organizations that offer a range of advocacy services (such as the Royal Canadian Legion's Command Service Officers, who are legislatively mandated to assist both Legion members and non-members) as well as legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

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Veteran Employment Programs

Programs that provide resume preparation assistance, career counselling, vocational assessment, job development, job training, job search, job placement and/or other services for unemployed veterans who need assistance re-entering the workforce. Veteran employment programs may be configured for recently separated veterans, homeless veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities and other special populations or may be broadly available to veterans in general.

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Veteran Burial Benefits

A program of Veterans Affairs Canada that provides a variety of burial benefits for deceased veterans of peacetime or wartime service who are without the necessary financial resources to provide for a dignified funeral and burial. The Last Post Fund Corporation (LPF), a nonprofit organization, is mandated to deliver the program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada and applications must be made to the Last Post Fund. Funeral and burial expenses of the deceased, as well as other debts, are considered when determining the value of the estate. If it is determined that the estate and, if applicable, the financial resources of any surviving spouse are sufficient to provide for the funeral and burial, assistance will not be approved. If there are sufficient assets to cover a portion of the expenses, a grant in the amount of the difference, up to the maximum amounts stipulated by legislation, may be approved. Burial costs may include the cost of the grave, the rental of a lowering device, the opening and closing of the grave and the costs of perpetual care.

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Veteran Disability Pension

A program administered by Veterans Affairs Canada that provides regular monthly payments to compensate individuals who have service-related medical disabilities and who are either a Canadian Forces Veteran or a Merchant Navy Veteran of the First or Second World War or the Korean War; a current or former member of the Regular or Reserve Force; or a civilian who served in close support of the Armed Forces during wartime. Pension entitlement is based solely on the severity of the disability and the relationship between the disability and military service. Additional monthly allowances and attendance care allowances are provided to pensioners who are exceptionally incapacitated in whole or in part by their pensioned disability. When a disability pensioner dies, the surviving spouse may receive the same pension for a period of one year, after which a survivor's pension will automatically be paid. Applications can be made directly to Veterans Affairs or to a service officer of the Royal Canadian Legion or another veterans' organization.

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Veterans Health Programs

Programs that are designed to help clients of Veterans Affairs Canada maintain their independence and quality of life by facilitating their ability to continue to live at home. Benefits may include medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations, supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment and other community health care services and benefits. Extended treatment benefits such as prescription drugs are available for pensioners with disabilities.

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Veteran Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members were previously affiliated with one of the branches of the armed forces, their families and friends. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; may focus on former prisoners of war, veterans of specific wars, e.g., the Gulf War, women who are veterans or other specific veteran populations; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes and put their lives back together if they have been troubled by homelessness, disability, substance abuse, depression or other issues related to their service to the country.

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Veteran Reintegration Counselling

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance for veterans who have emotional problems including post traumatic stress disorder relating to experiences in the service, or who are having other difficulties adjusting to their civilian status.

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Veteran/Military Hotlines

Programs that provide confidential assistance for military personnel and veterans who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem. Trained staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text. Most military/veteran hotlines are also available to family members who are concerned about a loved one.

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The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.


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