Question Period Note: COVID-19

COVID-19

1. SUPPORT FOR VETERANS DURING COVID-19

GENERAL:

• The health, safety and well-being of Veterans and their families, and our employees is the priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• It is essential that we are not complacent, but rather do our part to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to support Veterans and their families during this very difficult time.

• Essentially, all of our employees are equipped to work remotely, enabling us to continue to provide services to Veterans and their families in the midst of this global pandemic.

• The Department will continue to take guidance from public health officials and work with its partners across government to support easing restrictions in a gradual, phased and controlled manner that prioritizes the health and safety of employees and those accessing services at departmental buildings.

VETERANS IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES:

• Veterans Affairs Canada currently supports over 3,900 veterans in more than 1,100 long-term care facilities across the country.

• Veterans Affairs Canada continues to contact the families’ of Veterans in facilities with positive cases of COVID-19 to share information and address any questions/concerns they may have.

• Veterans Affairs Canada is appreciative of the work long term care facilities are doing to support Canada’s Veterans in their facilities and we are mindful that their operational priorities are to protect their residents and staff during the pandemic.

• We are also proud of our members of the Canadian Armed Forces who, at the request of the provinces, supported long term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec when called upon.

1. VETERANS’ ACCESS TO TREATMENT DURING COVID-19
   • We remain committed to ensuring that Veterans and their families have access to the support they need.
   • Veterans Affairs Canada has extended coverage to include telehealth/virtual health services in lieu of in-person services when these alternate delivery methods are deemed to be appropriate by both the healthcare provider and their governing body.
   • We are also covering the cost of Personal Protective Equipment when it is required by the Veterans to receive in-person treatment.
   • As a result, Veterans continue to access mental health treatment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other treatments while respecting social distancing measures.
   • Our Operational Stress Injury Clinics also continue to provide services to Veterans through phone and virtual/telehealth sessions.
   • The VAC Assistance Service remains available to provide support for difficulties that affect the well-being of Veterans and their family members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost.

2. IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FINANCIAL BENEFITS

• We are committed to ensuring that Veterans receive the respect, care, and financial support they deserve in this difficult time.

• The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) that was recently announced by this government will have no impact on the benefits Veterans and their families are receiving from Veterans Affairs Canada.

• Workers may be eligible for the Employment Insurance Emergency Response Benefit (EIERB) if they cease working for reasons related to COVID-19 or they would otherwise have qualified for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits under the normal rules. It is closely aligned with income support payments under the CERB Act.

• The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will not be deducted from any financial benefits Veterans or their families are receiving from Veterans Affairs Canada.

• We are fully committed to well-being of Veterans and their families and will continue to work hard to ensure their needs are being met as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

BACKGROUND- SUPPORT FOR VETERANS DURING COVID-19

VETERANS DURING COVID-19

• Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) Emergency Operations Centre was activated on March 9, 2020 to respond to COVID-19. While a vaccine is being developed, a more sustained and enduring response will be required. As such, the Emergency Operations Centre transitioned into the Pandemic Response Centre on September 21, 2020. The Centre provides an integrated and coordinated systemic approach to ensure, at a minimum, that departmental critical operations continue, and that employee health, safety and productivity is supported for employees working remotely and those working from VAC locations.

• Since the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer issued guidance on March 15, 2020 for employees to telework due to COVID-19, VAC has equipped and enabled almost all employees to work remotely so that all services continue for Veterans and their families ensuring they are well supported during this difficult time.

• The Department is working with key partners to plan resumption activities for employees to return to the office based on federal and provincial public health guidance based on the principle of health and safety of our employees and efficiency and effectiveness of operations. There will continue to be a focus on remote work for the foreseeable future. Occupancy at VAC offices will initially be a maximum of 10% and will increase to 25% when conditions permit.

• Veterans Affairs Canada currently supports more than 3,900 veterans in over 1,100 provincially and privately owned and operated facilities across the country.

• While the provision of long term care services fall under provincial jurisdiction, when Veterans Affairs Canada is aware of confirmed cases in long term care facilities, we work closely with Veterans and their families, as well as facility management to ensure Veterans’ needs are being met.

To the extent possible, Veterans Affairs Canada will continue to contact Veterans’ families or the legal representatives of Veterans in facilities with positive case(s) of COVID--19 to share any information and address any questions/concerns they may have

What is VAC doing to ensure Veterans get access to treatment benefits?

VAC suggests that Veterans contact their providers, as they generally have plan in place to support them. Alternatively – VAC is working with Veterans to find provider supports who can offer emergency support or who can offer alternative methods of delivery.

VAC has extended coverage to include telehealth/virtual health services in lieu of in person services when these alternate delivery methods are deemed to be appropriate by both the professional opinion of the healthcare provider and their governing body during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VAC has temporarily waived the need for renewal prescriptions required to obtain healthcare services to ensure that access continues even though it may not be feasible to see their health professional in order to obtain such documentation.

Cannabis for Medical Purposes

As of 26 June 2020, Health Canada has updated the Cannabis Regulations to let federal licensed sellers extend registration dates for those who can't access their health care practitioner for a new medical document.
If a Veteran’s registration expires between 13 March 2020 and 30 September 2020 they qualify for this extension. If their registration expires between 26 June 2020 to 30 September 2020, the six-month extension will start on the day after their current registration is set to expire.
If Veterans are still able to safely contact your health care practitioner and medical specialist to get the documents for reimbursement of cannabis for medical purposes, they are encouraged to do so.
If Veterans have an existing approval for cannabis for medical purposes and cannot reach their medical specialist for renewal, they may contact Medavie Blue Cross.

Operational Stress Injury Clinics
All Operational Stress Injury Clinics are providing services to their Veteran clients, mostly through phone and virtual/telehealth sessions. A few Clinics offer in-person sessions using appropriate security measures according to provincial authority regulations. Check-ins are done with all OSI Clinic Clients including clients on waitlists. There is a reduced capacity in some Clinics and provincial directives in others to provide only essential services but all referring agencies (Veterans Affairs Canada, Royal Canadian Mountain Police, and Department of National Defense) are notified to make sure no Veteran is left behind without services.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service
The VAC Assistance Service remains available to provide support for difficulties that affect the well-being of Veterans and their family members. The services are available for issues such as: health concerns; work-related issues; family and marital problems; psychological difficulties; bereavement and other problems that may affect their well-being. The psychological support is available 24/7 and is being provided through phone or telehealth at 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803.

Mental Health First Aid Training for the Veteran Community

Given that the courses are offered in a group setting, in accordance with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) COVID-19 Advisory, the Mental Health First Aid courses for the Veteran Community have been postponed in order to ensure the safety of learners and trainers. These courses will be rescheduled post-pandemic.

 
3. IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FINANCIAL BENEFITS

• We are committed to ensuring that Veterans receive the respect, care, and financial support they deserve in this difficult time.

• The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) that was recently announced by this government will have no impact on the benefits Veterans and their families are receiving from Veterans Affairs Canada.

• Workers may be eligible for the Employment Insurance Emergency Response Benefit (EIERB) if they cease working for reasons related to COVID-19 or they would otherwise have qualified for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits under the normal rules. It is closely aligned with income support payments under the CERB Act.

• The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will not be deducted from any financial benefits Veterans or their families are receiving from Veterans Affairs Canada.

• We are fully committed to well-being of Veterans and their families and will continue to work hard to ensure their needs are being met as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

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