Question Period Note: CAREGIVER RECOGNITION BENEFIT

CAREGIVER RECOGNITION BENEFIT

• Established in 2018, the Caregiver Recognition Benefit, is a monthly, tax-free payment in recognition of the contributions caregivers make to the health and well-being of eligible Veterans.

• An evaluation of the Caregiver Recognition Benefit was released in July 2020 by Audit and Evaluation.

• The Evaluation found that there is continued need for this program and that there are opportunities to improve program policy and guidance; and to ensure the program reaches its intended recipients.

• Veterans Affairs Canada is analyzing the recommendations to explore opportunities for program innovation.

BACKGROUND — CAREGIVER RECOGNITION BENEFIT

The Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB) was introduced in Budget 2017 as part of a comprehensive package that focused on improving the overall well-being of Veterans and their families. Established on April 1, 2018 the CRB provides a monthly, tax-free payment (indexed annually) in recognition of the contributions the caregivers make to the health and well-being of eligible Veterans. The current 2021 rate is $1,053.89 per month.

This benefit is paid directly to caregivers to recognize the integral role that they have in supporting a Veteran`s well-being. Qualification for this program remains unchanged.

Veterans who have received an approved Disability Award/Pain and Suffering Compensation must:
• Need ongoing care which is a result of the health conditions(s) for which their disability benefit was approved,
• Have an ongoing need for care expected to last more than 12 months,
• Are not a permanent resident of a long term health care facility, and
• Their informal caregiver is not paid for providing and/or coordinating care.

Veterans must also require at least one of the following :
• Care and supervision consistent with admission to an institution;
• Daily physical assistance with most activities of daily living (ADLs);
• Ongoing direction and supervision during performance of most ADLs; or
• Daily supervision and are not considered safe when left alone.

A caregiver is an individual designated by a Veteran who is 18 years or older, and who plays an essential role in the provision or coordination of ongoing care to the Veteran for which they are not receiving payment.

CRB has received criticisms for not including stronger consideration for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Some stakeholders contended that the lack of this inclusion prevents some Veterans with mental health conditions from accessing the benefit. However over 80% of those receiving this benefit have a mental health condition or a combination of both mental health and physical health conditions.

During the Evaluation of CRB, Caregivers were surveyed. During the survey some caregivers indicated some concerns with the program. The key themes were:
• the amount of money is inadequate and does not represent amount of care needed;
• caregivers have a loss of income/work due to their caregiver role;
• the benefit is difficult to be approved for/it does not reflect mental health problems

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