This evaluation assessed the relevance and performance of the Financial Benefits Program. The evaluation covered program activities from April 2010 to March 2015. Therefore, recent program changes such as introducing the RISB and the announcements of Budget 2016, such as increasing the ELB amount to 90%, were outside of the evaluation scope.
The evaluation found that increasing uptake and expenditures; recent program enhancements; similar types programs offered by Allied countries; and a lack of direct duplication/overlap all point to a continued need for the Program. The Program aligns with federal government priorities as well as VAC’s mandate and strategic outcomes.
As part of this evaluation, the performance and effectiveness of the program was assessed. The evaluation found that some eligible Veterans were not deemed TPI until after age 65, thus impacting their eligibility to receive other benefits, such as SRB. The evaluation is recommending that a monitoring system be built in the CSDN so that these individuals can be proactively identified. As well, the evaluation found that the immediate outcome of the program, eligible Veterans and other Program recipients have access to income replacement or income support, was met. The intermediate outcome, eligible Veterans and other Program recipients are able to fund basic needs, was generally met although the evaluation has recommended that CFIS rates be adjusted to meet comparative income measures used Statistics Canada. The ultimate outcome, basic needs of eligible Veterans and other eligible program recipients are met, was generally achieved. As an unintended outcome, the evaluation identified that Financial Benefits are having a negative impact on Rehabilitation Program completion rates. This relationship between Financial Benefits and the Rehabilitation Program should be reviewed.
In general, the Program is administered in an efficient and economical manner, although there are opportunities for improvement. The evaluation identified that PIA processes were found to be inefficient. These processes have recently been revised and it is of the evaluation team’s opinion that quality assurance activities be completed to ensure these new processes are performing as intended. As well, the evaluation found that the processing of applications for SRB and CFIS is a manual process and that the process be incorporated into the CSDN. Finally, the evaluation identified that certain letters, attachments, and application forms provided to Veterans were unclear and/or did not provide the necessary level of guidance or instruction. The evaluation is recommending that these documents be reviewed and adjusted to be more Veteran centric.
In addition to this evaluation, VAC has been conducting a comprehensive analysis of the Program. It is of the evaluation team’s opinion that the findings of this evaluation should be reflected in any future changes to the Program.
Recommendations:
- It is recommended that the Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management, implement a monitoring system for Financial Benefit Program recipients likely to be deemed totally and permanently incapacitated to determine TPI eligibility before they turn 65.
- It is recommended that the Director General, Policy and Research propose adjustments to the rates for the Canadian Forces Income Support so that they are sufficient to meet a person’s basic needs.
- It is recommended that the Director General, Policy and Research review the relationship between Financial Benefits and the Rehabilitation Program completion rates and propose adjustments which support the Veteran outcomes.
- It is recommended that the Director, Health Care, Rehabilitation and Income Support Programs, conduct quality assurance review/activities regarding the Permanent Impairment Allowance process to ensure the new procedures are being followed and are achieving the desired result.
- It is recommended that the Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management, in collaboration with the Director General, Information Technology, Information Management and Administration, incorporate Supplementary Retirement Benefit and Canadian Forces Income Support processing into the Client Service Delivery Network.
- It is recommended that the Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management, further review letters, attachments and application forms sent to Veterans in regards to the Program.