1.0 Introduction

1.0 Introduction

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) was established by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in 1981 to help Veterans to remain in their homes and communities. The program contributes financially toward services that support independence and health. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act gives VAC the authority to provide VIP. Its framework is laid out in the Veterans Health Care Regulations under that Act.^{Footnote 1}

1.1 Program overview

VIP complements, but does not replace other federal, provincial and municipal home care programs. It is designed to help Veterans maintain their independence at home through a combination of services. When care at home is no longer appropriate, the program will then assist Veterans financially with long-term (nursing home) care to remain in their communities. Appendix A includes the program logic model.

In 2019-20, there were 83,855 Veterans, survivors and Primary Caregivers (PCGs) who were VIP program recipients.^{Footnote 2} About 36% of program beneficiaries are survivors and PCGs. Program expenditures in 2019-20 were approximately $339.2M, the majority (79%) going to annual grants for housekeeping and grounds maintenance.

1.2 Program delivery

When VAC receives an application for VIP, it does and an initial screening for eligibility. Next, VAC would complete a needs assessment to determine the type of benefits and services including the amount of financial support. VAC contracts a third-party Health Claims Processor to process VIP claims for recipients and service providers such as community home care providers, nursing care, and meal delivery services. Along with VAC Case Managers, the Health Claims Processor follows up with recipients, at a minimum, every three years to determine if there has been a change in their needs.

VIP provides funding for the following services for Veterans:

Grounds maintenance (snow removal, lawn mowing, etc.);
Housekeeping (assistance with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, errands, etc.);
Access to Nutrition (meal delivery services);
Health Support and Services (nursing services, occupational therapy, etc.);
Personal care;
Ambulatory healthcare (assessments, diagnostics and respective transportation);
Transportation (transportation to social and community activities or services);
Intermediate Care (care in a nursing home) and;
Home adaptations (contribution towards modifications to the Veteran’s principal residence that are necessary for the Veteran to carry out everyday activities).^{Footnote 3}

VIP also provides funding for the following services for PCGs^{Footnote 4} and survivors:^{Footnote 5}

Grounds maintenance (snow removal, lawn mowing, etc.); and
Housekeeping (assistance with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, errands, etc.).

Grounds maintenance and housekeeping services are supported through an annual grant (paid in two installments) to the recipient. The amount is determined through an assessment using a grant determination tool. Costs for all other services are reimbursed based on claims submitted by the recipient.

1.3 Program eligibility

VIP recipients include Veterans, PCGs and survivors. Eligible Veteran recipients include those who:

have VIP needs related to an existing disability benefits;
have VIP needs, have a condition that qualifies them for a disability benefit combined with other conditions which places them at risk of being frail;^{Footnote 6}
are a War Services pensioner with a certain level of disability who have VIP needs;
receive Prisoner of War Compensation; or
are eligible for, but unable to access, a contract bed under VAC’s Long-term Care program.

VIP eligibility for PCGs and survivors is distinct. VIP for PCGs includes funding to help cover the cost of grounds maintenance and housekeeping if the Veteran who was receiving VIP has moved to nursing home care or is deceased.^{Footnote 7} For spouses who are not eligible for VIP as a PCG (i.e., the Veteran was not receiving VIP at the time of their death), they may be eligible for VIP grounds maintenance and housekeeping as a survivor. To be eligible, the survivor’s spouse must have been receiving or have been eligible for a Disability Pension or the War Veterans Allowance. Also, the survivor must meet other eligibility criteria including that they are low-income or in receipt of a Disability Tax Credit.^{Footnote 8} The annual maximum amount of financial assistance for survivors is lower than for PCGs.^{Footnote 9} For details on program eligibility see Appendix B.

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Department of Veterans Affairs Act, RSC 1985, c V-1; Veterans Health Care Regulations, SOR/90-594

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Footnote 2

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/news-media/facts-figures/5-0#vip

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Footnote 3

Veterans Independence Program on VAC website (veterans.gc.ca)

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Footnote 4

A primary caregiver, as defined in s.16(3) of the Veterans Health Care Regulations and for the purposes of s. 16 of the Regulations, means, in relation to a client, the adult who immediately before the client died or was admitted into a health care facility: (a) primarily responsible, without remuneration, for that ensuring care was provided to the client; and (b) for a continuous period of at least one year, resided in the principal residence of the client and maintained the client or was maintained by the client.

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Footnote 5

A survivor, as defined in s. 16.1(2) of the Veterans Health Care Regulations and for the purposes of s. 16 of the Regulations, means, in relation to the person, an adult individual who immediately before the person died or, if the person died in a health care facility, immediately before the person was admitted into the health care facility: (a) was primarily responsible, without remuneration, for ensuring that care was provided to the person; and (b) for a continuous period of at least one year, resided in the principal residence of the person and maintained the person or was maintained by the person.

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Footnote 6

VAC Frail Disability Benefits Policy, Eligibility may include the Veteran’s ability to remain self-sufficient in their principal residence is impaired by their disability benefits entitled condition; or the Veteran needs services because they are frail―defined as the occurrence of a critical mass of physiological conditions that place an individual at risk for falls, injuries, illnesses or the need for supervision or hospitalization. Frailty also results in a severe and prolonged impairment of function with little or no likelihood of improvement. Frailty is based on the premise that for individuals who suffer from multiple health conditions, one of which being a disability benefits entitled condition; this is a complex interplay of disabilities which impairs their ability to remain self-sufficient at their principal residence.

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Footnote 7

PCGs are generally eligible for VIP if they were the primary caregiver (unpaid) to the Veteran; lived in the Veteran’s primary residence for at least a year prior to their passing or admission to a long-term care facility; currently live in Canada and have a health-related need for these services.

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Footnote 8

Survivors are eligible for VIP if they were primarily responsible for ensuring that care was provided to the Veteran continuously for at least one year (unpaid); are low-income (and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement); or are disabled (and receive the Disability Tax Credit); and have a health-related need for these services, and currently live in Canada.

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Footnote 9