The Caregiver Recognition Benefit
Having a disability sometimes means you need ongoing care to remain in your home. The Caregiver Recognition Benefit recognizes the important role a caregiver delivers on a day-to-day basis by providing them with a tax free, monthly benefit.
Financial
Q1. How much is the monthly payment amount?
You can find the current CRB payment amount on our rates page. The CRB is indexed annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
Q2. Is the Caregiver Recognition Benefits payment taxable?
No. CRB payments are not considered income by Revenue Canada.
The CRB is intended to recognize the contribution that an unpaid informal caregiver makes to the health and well-being of the Veteran.
Q3. Does the CRB provide reimbursement for related expenses such as housekeeping, healthcare coverage or travel expenses?
No, it is only a financial benefit paid to the caregiver. However, there other VAC programs that may be available for qualified Veterans, such as:
Eligibility
Check the “Do you qualify?” section to find all the details regarding the eligibility criteria for this program.
Q1. What are activities of daily living?
Activities of daily living are used to determine if a Veteran qualifies for the CRB. The following are considered when a decision maker reviews a CRB application:
Mobility - ability to do transfers and ambulation (e.g., climbing stairs, walking, etc.), and
Self-care
- Feeding - ability to eat and drink prepared foods (e.g., cutting up food, buttering bread, etc.)
- Washing - ability to wash their face, trunk, extremities, and hair
- Dressing - putting on and taking off all pieces of indoor and outdoor clothing
- Grooming/Foot Care/Personal Care - ability to brush their hair and teeth, shave and apply make-up, skin and nail care, cleansing and personal care associated with toileting
- Toileting - ability to get to and from the toilet facilities and the ability to control continence of bowel and bladder
- Taking medication - ability to prepare and self-administer medication
Q2. What if I received a VAC disability benefit for a mental health condition and not a physical condition? Do I still qualify for the CRB?
Yes, you can. Your need for ongoing care is the most important determining factor for receiving this benefit.
If your disability benefit was provided as a disability pension, you would not be eligible for the CRB. However, you could be eligible for the Attendance allowance.
Q3. I am still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Can I be approved for the CRB?
No. A currently serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces does not qualify for the CRB. However, you can apply for CRB if your anticipated release date is within the next 6 months. The decision on your application can be made when we receive your release date.
Q4. Do I need to re-apply each year for the CRB?
No. The CRB is paid on an ongoing basis to your designated informal caregiver. Based on your health assessment, we may ask you and your caregiver to provide updated information to confirm that you still qualify for the CRB.
Q5. What happens when a Veteran no longer requires an informal caregiver?
It is your responsibility to inform VAC if your circumstances change, and you no longer require an informal caregiver. Once notified, we will stop CRB payments to your caregiver to avoid creating an overpayment situation for them.
Q6. What if the Veteran moves into a long-term care facility?
If you permanently move into a long-term care facility, you need to inform us of this change in your care situation, so we can stop CRB payments to your caregiver to avoid creating an overpayment situation for them
Application process
Check the “How to apply” section for the details of the application process and how to submit your application.
Q1. Is there a time limit to apply for this benefit?
There is no time limit. You can apply for the CRB at any time.
Q2. When can a CRB decision be expected?
You and your caregiver can expect to receive a decision letter within 8 weeks of submitting a complete application. A CRB application is considered complete when it is signed by you and your caregiver, and we have all the supporting documentation required to render a decision.
Q3. If my CRB application is approved, when will my caregiver begin to receive this support?
If your CRB application is approved, your designated informal caregiver will receive a payment within 1 week of the decision date.
The effective payable date will be the first day of the month in which your application was received.
Q4. Can I appeal a CRB decision?
You can request a review of your CRB decision by contacting us in writing within 60 days of receiving the decision, via a My VAC Account secure message or by mail at:
Veterans Affairs Canada
National First Level Appeals
PO Box 6000
Matane QC G4W 0E4
If this review does not meet your expectations, there are more review and appeal options.
Caregivers
For the purpose of receiving the CRB, an informal caregiver is a person 18 years of age or older who plays an essential role in the provision and/or coordination of ongoing care for a Veteran in their home and, who receives no payment for this work.
Q1. Why must the caregiver be at least 18 years old?
Legislation requires that an informal caregiver be at least 18 years of age. This age threshold was determined to be appropriate given the nature and degree of care you need to provide or coordinate.
Q2. If the CRB is paid to my caregiver, why do I need to apply?
Since it is your health needs that require the services of a caregiver, you must apply for the benefit. Your caregiver is required to complete and sign a section of your application. If you have granted power of attorney to an individual, that person may apply on your behalf.
Q3. Can the Veteran change their designated informal caregiver?
Yes. If you need to change your designated informal caregiver, you should let us know as early as possible. You and your new caregiver will need to submit a new Caregiver Recognition Benefit Application.
As with your original application, a decision will be processed within 8 weeks. If approved, your new designated informal caregiver can expect payment within 1 week of the decision. The effective payable date is the first day of the month in which your application was received.
Q4. My caregiver is already receiving the CRB on behalf of another Veteran. Can they also receive the benefit on my behalf?
Yes. It is possible for more than one Veteran to designate the same informal caregiver. In this circumstance, the caregiver must be capable off fulfilling the role of providing support to more than one Veteran in order to receive additional CRB payments.
Q5. Can the CRB be paid to my informal caregiver if they do not live with me?
Yes, they can. Your informal caregiver is not required to live with you, or even live in the same province/country as you, if they are coordinating your care.
Q6. What other resources are available for caregivers?
The following resources may be beneficial to you as a caregiver:
- VAC Assistance Service - Veterans, former RCMP members, their families and caregivers can speak to a mental health professional 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 1-800-268-7708.
- LifeSpeak - A self-help website with videos and information about mental health, nutrition and other issues that matter to you.
- Pastoral Outreach - Spiritual support when Veterans or their families are dealing with end of life issues or bereavement.