Question Period Note: VETERANS EMERGENCY FUND

• The Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) helps Veterans and their families during times of crisis when they are facing emergency financial situations that threaten their health and well-being.

• $5.6 million dollars was distributed to Veterans and their families between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2022.

• For the fiscal year 2022 -23 VEF has supported 501 Veterans and their family members with $1.06 million dollars in funding as of November 9, 2022.

BACKGROUND — VETERANS EMERGENCY FUND

The purpose of Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) is to enable Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to provide prompt, non-taxable financial assistance to eligible Veterans and their families who are facing an emergency that threatens their health and well-being. Applicants will also be referred to additional resources for longer-term support.

VEF has received $1 million dollars of funding every fiscal year since program implementation in April 2018. Over $1.361 million dollars was distributed to Veterans and their families in 2021-22. VAC has been required to internally reallocate resources to the fund in order to meet the annual need.

Qualifications for VEF are intentionally broad to assist as many people as possible who require urgent financial help. An applicant does not need to be in receipt of other VAC benefits in order to qualify for the fund.

The following groups can qualify for VEF if they are a Canadian resident and a(n):
• Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF);
• Current spouse/common-law partner of a Veteran;
• Survivor of a deceased Veteran or deceased CAF member; or Orphan of a deceased Veteran or deceased CAF member (or the legal guardian if the orphan is under the age of 18).

Decision makers will consider each VEF application on a case by case basis and can approve the following types of essential items:
• food;
• shelter;
• basic clothing; and
• personal care items.

Decision makers are authorized to approve an annual maximum of up to $2,500 ($10,000 in exceptional circumstances) per Veteran per household within a fiscal year (between April 1 and March 31).

WHEN PRESSED:
Q1 - What happens when the million dollars in the fund runs out?
Every year since the program started in April 2018, the demand for the Veterans Emergency Fund has been more than the $1 million dollars of annual funding. To ensure the safety and well-being of Veterans and their families, VAC has met the demand by reallocating resources within the department.

Q2 - Why are RCMP not eligible?
VAC does not have an agreement with the RCMP to provide VEF to current or former RCMP members. A current or former RCMP member, who is also a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, can receive VEF funding.

RCMP members can apply for emergency funding through the Legion at The Legion - Financial Assistance.

Q3 - What does VAC do after VEF is approved?
When a Veteran or family member reaches out for VEF support, VAC will refer them to other resources to help with their well-being over the long term. Some examples include:
• VAC Case Management Services,
• VAC Rehabilitation Program,
• Income Replacement Benefit,
• Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS),
• Military Family Resource Centers, and
• Veteran community programs.

Q4 - What types of items can be approved under VEF?
VEF is for essential needs that, if removed or unavailable, could lead to a crisis or emergency situation. Some examples of essential needs include:
• food,
• shelter,
• clothing,
• uninsured essential one-time medical or dental needs, and,
• personal care items.

Q5 - Are applicants required to access other funds prior to applying for VEF?
Veterans and their families do not need to access other programs or services before applying for VEF. VAC will also encourage Veterans and their families to work with community agencies (i.e. Legion, Support our Troops, food banks, Vets Canada, etc.) to meet their needs.