Question Period Note: CRITICAL INJURY BENEFIT

• The Critical Injury Benefit focuses on those who need it the most: Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans who sustain a severe and traumatic injury or develop an acute disease while in the line of duty.

• The purpose of this benefit is to recognize and compensate for the immediate stress and hardship a Canadian Armed Forces member or Veteran experiences as a result of sudden and singular event such as Improvised Explosive Device explosions, gunshot wounds and serious motor vehicle accidents.

• Our Government places the highest priority on making sure Veterans and their families have the support and services they need, when they need them.

BACKGROUND – CRITICAL INJURY BENEFIT

The Critical Injury Benefit provides a $74,659 tax-free award for Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans who, since April 1, 2006, experienced a severe and traumatic injury or developed an acute disease caused by a sudden and single event that resulted in an immediate and severe impairment and interference in quality of life.

Since the program was implemented in 2015, 173 Critical Injury Benefits have been awarded (as of March 2019).

To determine that the traumatic injury or acute disease, whether physical or psychological, immediately caused a severe impairment and interference in quality of life, at least one of the following must have occurred:

1) Amputation
a) immediately sustained an amputation at or above the wrist or ankle

2) For conditions that lasted less than 12 consecutive weeks
a) immediately admitted to intensive care for at least five consecutive days, or
b) immediately hospitalized for acute or rehabilitative inpatient care and received complex treatment

3) For conditions that lasted 12 consecutive weeks or more
a) immediately hospitalized for acute or rehabilitative inpatient care
b) immediate blindness in both eyes
c) immediate paralysis of one or more limbs
d) immediate loss of control of kidneys, bladder or bowel

4) For conditions that lasted 16 consecutive weeks or more
a) Required immediate assistance of at least one person for three or more of the following activities: eating, bathing, walking, toileting or transferring (e.g., from bed to chair)

This benefit has no impact on any other benefit(s) payable by Veterans Affairs Canada. For example, an individual could receive a Critical Injury Benefit and Pain and Suffering Compensation in respect of the same service-related injury/disease that results in a permanent disability. In addition, individuals can receive this Critical Injury Benefit more than once, if the situation arises.

The Critical Injury Benefit legislative provisions allow the Minister to waive the requirement to make an application. If the Department has sufficient evidence to determine the Canadian Armed Forces member/Veteran is eligible for the benefit, the payment may be released with no further application required. If the member/Veteran declines the offer to waive the application, the member/Veteran will not receive the benefit at that time, but may apply again at any time.

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