Disability Pensions for Veterans of the British, Commonwealth or Allied Forces of World War I

This policy replaces the following PPM policy: Article 64 - Supplementary Pension - World War I.

Purpose

The following policy provides guidance in the adjudication of disability pension applications submitted by or in respect of individuals domiciled in Canada on the date of commencement of World War I, who served in the British, Commonwealth or Allied forces during World War I.

Policy

Adjudication

1. Where an application for survivor benefits is received and the provisions of section 64 are applicable, the adjudication of the application shall not be delayed pending adjudication by the Commonwealth or other Allied government. The Minister shall deal with the application upon receipt and any subsequent award made by the Commonwealth or other Allied government shall be applied to offset any award in payment under the Pension Act.
2. The Minister will continue to forward copies of such applications to the British government on behalf of applicants who served with the British Forces in World War I.
3. The purpose of paragraphs 1 and 2 is to attempt to reduce delays in providing for pension payments for surviving dependents of eligible Veterans who have served in Commonwealth or Allied forces. This can only be done when reciprocal agreements exist for transfer of pension funds so that there is a means of recovery in the event of an overpayment. At the present time, Great Britain is the only Commonwealth or Allied country with which such an agreement exists.

Date of Application

4. The date of application is the date an applicant first approached the British, Commonwealth or Allied government or the Canadian authorities for pension entitlement in respect of a condition for which entitlement is subsequently granted by any of the authorities concerned.
5. Where the date an applicant first approached the British, Commonwealth or Allied government or the Canadian authorities is not known, the date of application shall be the date that one of these authorities renders a decision.

Effective Date

6. The effective date of any award authorized under section 64 of the Pension Act will be determined under the provisions of section 39 or 56 of the Act in a like manner as claims granted under the provisions of section 21 of the Act for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and section 21.1 for members of the Merchant Navy.

Countries Allied with His Majesty During World War I

7. The following countries were allied with His Majesty during World War I:
   1. Belgium
   2. British Empire
   3. France
   4. Greece
   5. Italy
   6. Japan
   7. Montenegro
   8. Portugal
   9. Roumania
   10. Russia
   11. Serbia
   12. United States

Reference

Pension Act, sections 39, 56, 64, 67, 68, 69, and 70