Question Period Note: FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS

• Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes the central role families and caregivers have in Veteran well-being and we are committed to ensuring supports are available.
• I have directed the Department to have ‘max flex’ when applying mental health treatments for family members. Veteran Affairs Canada offers access to mental health treatments, health care benefits, vocational assistance as well as financial support to eligible family members and survivors and orphans of deceased Veterans.
• The VAC Assistance Line and various online resources are available for families and caregivers through programs like the Caregiver Zone and Life Speak.
• Peer support is offered through the Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program as well as the Veteran Family Program.
• The Caregiver Recognition Benefit provides a monthly, tax-free payment directly to the caregiver in recognition for the contributions caregivers make to the health and well-being of Veterans.

BACKGROUND — FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) recognizes the important role families and caregivers play in Veteran well-being. There are a number of programs and services accessible to families within VAC’s suite of programs.

There can be considerable strain on the overall mental health of a family when a Veteran is facing an Operational Stress Injury. The Mental Health (POC 12) policy at VAC describes mental health services which may be funded as part of a Veteran’s treatment or rehabilitation plan, including mental health services for family members. Its purpose is to enable funding of mental health services for family members in support of the Veteran’s treatment. This includes funding for family, group and/or couples counselling (where the Veteran is present) and individual or group counselling (where the Veteran is not present), as provided by licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists and social workers.

In March 2020, the Minister instructed the Mental Health policy be applied using care, compassion and maximum flexibility in all cases. On May 6, 2020, VAC issued a new guideline, Guideline for Funding Mental Health Services Involving Veteran’s Family Member(s) indicating the following:

• Treatment Benefits: Family members may be involved in mental health services when the Veteran’s treating mental health professional indicates it is required for the Veteran’s recovery.
• Rehabilitation Program: Family members may be involved in mental health services when the assessing or treating professional identifies it will help meet the Veteran’s rehabilitation goal.

The Department offers additional services to Veterans’ family members, such as:

• The Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service (1-800-268-7708) or TDD (1-800-567-5803) is a 24-hour toll-free help line, which offers face-to-face and virtual psychological support.

• Health Care for families may also be accessed through the Public Service Health Care Plan through Veterans Affairs Canada.

• Operational Stress Injury Clinics have a network of 11 sites. Family members can attend educational sessions and counselling.

• Operational Stress Injury Social Support Service (OSISS) offers confidential peer support. Trained peer support coordinators and family peer support coordinators provide peer support.

• Veteran Family Program is available for medically released Veterans and their families at all of the 32 Military Family Resource Centers across Canada. This includes access to a suite of transition services as well as the Family Information Line and CAFconnection.ca.

• Veteran Family Telemedicine Service is a new pilot initiative between VAC and the Military Family Services (MFS) that is available for medically releasing Veterans and their families to provide access to family physicians or nurse practioners for one year following release.

• Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB) provides a monthly, tax-free payment in recognition of the contributions caregivers make to the health and well-being of Veterans.

• Mental Health First Aid for is a virtual mental health literacy training for members of the Veteran community, including family members and caregivers.

• Online Resources includes PTSD Coach Canada, the OSI Connect mobile applications, Life Speak, the Online Caregiver Training Program, and the Operational Stress Injury Resource for Caregivers.

• Caregiver Zone is an online resource aims to improve the overall health and well-being of Veteran caregivers.

• Vocational Assistance may be available to a spouse through the Rehabilitation Program if the Veteran has been deemed unable to participate in vocational rehabilitation.

• Career Transition Services are accessible to spouses and survivors.

• Financial programs may also be available for surviving spouses and children if a Veteran’s death is service related.

• Veterans Independence Program also helps other eligible individuals (Spouses, Survivors and/or Dependents) remain independent and self-sufficient in their home and community with ground maintenance and housekeeping services.

WHEN PRESSED:
Q1 – Will the new mental health benefit be available to spouses and family members?
Family Members are not eligible to apply for mental health benefits. If a client is receiving mental health benefits coverage and their mental health professional believes that involving family members in treatment will achieve positive outcomes for the client, family members may qualify to receive mental health services.
Q2 – Did the Caregiver Recognition Benefit policy update that occurred in January 2022 consider the needs of Veterans with mental health conditions?

The policy has been clarified to include direction about eligibility criteria, especially in relation to Veterans with mental health conditions. In addition, the clarified policy provides clearer direction about making decisions based on the Veteran’s current health condition.
Q3 - Why can’t family members access mental health treatment in their own right?

Family members may be involved in mental health services when the Veteran’s treating mental health professional indicates it is required to support the Veteran’s recovery.
Q4 - What services are available to spouses to support employment?

Career Transition Services is available to spouses and survivors. Vocational Assistance may be accessible through the Rehabilitation Program if the Veteran has been deemed unable to participate in vocational rehabilitation.
Q5 – Are there other services or programs that would allow family members to access health treatments?

Health Care can be accessed through the Public Service Health Care Plan under Veteran’s Affairs Canada. Veterans can choose the coverage that is right for them and are responsible for paying monthly premiums.
Veteran Family Telemedicine is now available for medically releasing Veterans and families to have virtual access to family physicians for one year following release.