Question Period Note: FAMILIES

• The Government understands that when a member serves, the whole family serves with them and their health and well-being is also a priority.

• Under VAC treatment and rehabilitation programs, family members may be involved in the Veteran’s care when it supports the treatment outcomes and rehabilitation goals established for the Veteran.

• Family members can access help and mental health services that are available at no cost, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year by calling the VAC Assistance Service.

• Family members may also qualify for additional mental health services through Operational Stress Injury Social Support, Operational Stress Injury clinics, Mental Health First Aid and the Public Service Health Care Plan.

BACKGROUND: FAMILIES – SERVICES/BENEFITS/PROGRAMS

Mental Health Policy

The Mental Health – Treatment Benefits and Rehabilitation Services policy provides guidance on the range of mental health services that may be reimbursed under the Treatment Benefits Program or under the Rehabilitation Program. Over the past year, the Department reviewed this policy and found that it was not being consistently applied in all situations. Under the Treatment Benefits and Rehabilitation Programs, family members may be involved in the Veteran’s care but cannot be treated for their own mental health condition. In certain situations, benefits were being provided to family members for their own health condition(s) which is beyond the scope of helping a Veteran achieve their treatment outcomes or rehabilitation goals. The Department is now using this policy as it was originally intended.

At present, all requests for mental health services under the Treatment Benefits Program or the Rehabilitation Program consider the following criteria:
• The Veteran has a treatment or rehabilitation plan that supports the need for the mental health services for their family member.
• The request is for a short-term period of time.
• The request for services is not to treat a family member’s own condition, rather, in support of the Veteran’s treatment.
• For rehabilitation participants, VAC may cover these services if they are necessary to achieve a rehabilitation goal and are not available through other programs.

Additional - Supports to Veteran’s family members

The Department offers a wide range of additional services to Veterans’ family members, beyond what is provided under the Treatment Benefits Program or the Rehabilitation Program (Mental Health Policy (POC 12)).

The following are examples of additional benefits and services available to family members:
• Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service;
• Operational Stress Injuries Social Support;
• Operational Stress Injury Clinics;
• Mental Health First Aid;
• Public Service Health Care Plan;
• Pastoral Outreach network;
• Veteran Family Program;
• Case Management and Transition Services;
• Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance;
• Career Transition Services
• Caregiver Recognition Benefit;
• Educational assistance; and
• Financial benefits and disability/death benefits.

Budget 2017

Budget 2017 included targeted supports for Veterans’ families. On April 1, 2018, changes announced in Budget 2017, came into force, including:
• Improved programs such as the Career Transition Services, opening it up to Veterans’ survivors, spouses, and common-law partners;
• Created the Caregiver Recognition Benefit replacing the Family Caregiver Relief Benefit with a new Benefit that pays directly to the caregiver; and
• Eliminated the time limit for Veterans’ survivors and spouses to apply for the Rehabilitation and Vocational Assistance Program.

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