1.0 Introduction

Initially established in 1930, the War Veterans Allowance (WVA) Program, hereinafter called the “Program” delivered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), provides monthly financial assistance to help low income War Service Veterans^{Footnote 1}, qualified civilians^{Footnote 2} and their survivors meet basic needs. In addition to the monthly income support, a favourable decision provides access to other departmental benefits such as: Health Care Benefits (Treatment Benefits), Veterans Independence Program, Long Term Care and the Assistance Fund.

1.1 Program Overview

The amount an eligible War Service Veteran or qualified civilian receives is dependent upon: their income, marital status and number of dependents. A surviving spouse/common-law partner or orphan may also qualify for financial support based on the deceased War Service Veteran/qualified civilian’s war service and income level.

The monthly maximum allowance payable to eligible recipients is adjusted quarterly as set out in the WVA Act in accordance with increases to the Canadian Consumer Price Index^{Footnote 3}. The maximum monthly allowance payable for January 1 to March 31, 2018, is presented in the table below.

Over the past five years, expenditures relating to the Program have decreased by 28% (from $8.5 million in 2013-14 to $6.1 million in 2017-18). This trend is expected to continue over the next five years with a forecasted further 31% decrease to $4.2 million in 2022-23. As of March 31, 2018, there were 1,895 Program recipients. Of this group, 323 were Veterans and qualified civilians while 1,572 were survivors and orphans. The Program represented approximately 0.1% of total VAC program expenditures in 2017-18.

As of September 30^th, 2018, the average age of Veterans and qualified civilians (including Near Recipients^{Footnote 5}) was 94 years old with 61% of recipients who are male and 39% who are female. The average age of survivors was 86 and orphans was 55.