Allied World War Veterans Will Receive Veterans Allowance

On June, 2009, the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, introduced changes to the War Veterans Allowance Act, extending to low-income Allied Veterans and their family members. With this new legislation, we are giving Allied World War Veterans more choices, more options, and more hope of living out their lives with respect, comfort, dignity and honour, the Minister added.

Under this legislation, low-income Allied War Veterans of the World War I, the World War II and the Korean War who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years, and continue to do so will have access to War Veterans Allowance and associated assistance and health benefits.

An Allied Veteran is a Veteran who served with the forces of any nation including India, allied with Canada during the First World War and the Second World War. The eligibility has also been extended to include those who fought for Allied Forces in the Korean War.

To qualify for these benefits, these low-income Allied Veterans must:
* have served with Allied Forces in the First World War, the Second World War or Korean War
* have lived in Canada for at least 10 years; OR lived in Canada prior to enlisting;
* live in Canada now.

Programs under this amended legislation would include:

War Veterans Allowance - Guaranteed monthly income to meet basic needs.

Assistance Fund- Financial assistance in times of emergency that affect health and/or safety.

Funeral and Burial- Financial Assistance to ensure a dignified funeral and burial for Veterans.

Treatment Benefits- Coverage ranging from hearing aids to prescription drugs to dental and vision care.

Veterans Independence Program- A home care program that includes care services, access to nutritious meals, housekeeping, grounds maintenance and other services.

Long-Term Care- Care in a facility for those who are no longer able to stay at home.

Family members may receive the War Veterans Allowance and the Assistance Fund, and survivors may receive housekeeping and ground maintenance to help them remain in their own houses.

Like all Veterans Affairs programs, eligibility for these programs is based on a variety of factors, including location and duration of military service, income and the nature and extent of health conditions. Implementation is expected in January 2010.

Once finalized, eligible Allied Veterans and family members may receive payment for benefits back to October 14. 2008. “We need to extend these benefits as soon as possible,” added Minister Thompson. How to apply:
* Call 1-866-522-2122 (English) 1-866-522-2022 (French).
* Have your service record information on hand.
* You will be mailed an application as soon as possible.
* More information is available on -line at www.vac-acc.gc.ca
Lieut Colonel Pritam Singh Jauhal World War II Veteran
Founder President Indian Ex-Servicemen Society British Columbia, Canada

Date: Saturday, 8 August, 2009, 6:02 PM
Sir,
I came across a 93 year old WW II veteran in dire state.He took part in the Burma Campaign as a signaller,spent nearly a year and a half in Japanese jails as a POW. On repatriation after the war ,he was retrenched without any pensionary benifits.I notice thro' your blog that Govt of Canada has come out with a scheme of honoring their WW II veterans.Do we have any scheme like that? Can somebody suggest a door where he can knock to derive some financial benifit that would sustain him thro' the fag end of his very meaningful life.His name is sgmn Narayanan Nair.Please oblige.
Rgds,
Lt Col Rajan Mannil (Retd)
Jabalpur