Question Period Note: 2022-23 VAC SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES (B)

• Veterans Affairs Supplementary Estimates (B) reflect this government’s continued commitment to ensuring there is sufficient funding in VAC’s programs and services to support all eligible
• Veterans and their families who may come forward.

• Over 90% of the Department’s budget represents payments to Veterans, their families and other program recipients.

BACKGROUND – 2022-23 VAC SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES (B)

VAC’s budget will increase by $78 million, representing a 1.4% increase over current budget. VAC’s budget will increase from $5,524 million to $5,602 million in relation to the following transfers and adjustments:
New Treasury Board Submissions
• $52.9M funding to Extend Disability Benefits Adjudication Resources
o This additional funding and increased capacity will help reduce the backlog of Veteran disability benefit applications and to meet and sustain the service standard for claims processing.
• $14.4M funding to retain Case Management resources
o This funding will assist the organization in supporting Veterans with complex needs by allowing VAC to extend temporary resources to support case management.
• $8.4M funding for Mental Health Benefits Program
o This funding will support the development of a Mental Health Benefits Program to enhance existing mental health supports for Veterans (Budget 2021).
• $2.3M funding for 2025 Invictus Games
o This funding will support the organization and delivery of the 2025 Invictus Games hosted in Vancouver-Whistler.

Transfers
• $800k from Vote 1 to Vote 5 for increase in Veterans Emergency Fund
o This transfer of funds will be used to fund pressures on the Veterans Emergency Fund.
• $60k from Vote 1 to Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) for Commemoration
o This transfer of funds will be used for a project to have dedicated student interpreters at the National War Memorial, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

WHEN PRESSED

Q1. Will the funding to extend Disability Benefits Adjudication Resources help reduce the backlog?

Yes, this funding will be used to continue to make gains in reducing our backlog and meeting and sustaining our services standards by allowing us to extent temporary resources and to hire new temporary resources.
As a result of the extension of resources, more disability benefit applications will be adjudicated and paid to Veterans.

Q2. Why has your Department received funding for Case Management resources?

The total number of Veterans requiring case management has increased. This funding will assist the organization in supporting Veterans with complex needs by allowing VAC to extend temporary resources to support case management. VAC provides Case Management services to support Veterans facing complex challenges. The objective of case management is to support wellbeing by helping Veterans with complex needs who are finding it difficult to navigate services and access programs needed to support their care, treatment and independence.

Q3. Can you describe the purpose of the new Mental Health Benefits Program funding?

This funding will support the development of a Mental Health Benefits Program to enhance existing mental health supports for Veterans. This funding will support mental health care for Veterans immediately upon application for disability benefits for an eligible mental health condition until such time as a decision is made on the application, or for a period of two years. Early intervention and faster access to mental health services will lead to improved health outcomes and will ultimately contribute to the Departmental result that Veterans are physically and mentally well.

Q4. Why is the Department providing funding for the 2025 Invictus Games?

In supporting the 2025 Invictus Games and Veteran participation in Team Canada, this meets a mandate letter commitment of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence to “recognize modern Veterans and underrepresented Veterans” and encourages recognition and pays tribute to injured Veterans and service CAF members.