Caregiver Recognition Benefit (VAC PPU 702)

Description: This bank describes information that is used in support of determining eligibility and entitlement for benefits under the Caregiver Recognition Benefit program. The information is about individuals who applied for financial recognition for on-going informal caregiving provided without remuneration by their spouse, common-law partner, other adult family member, or other adult informal caregivers, designated to receive the benefit.

Personal information collected for both the Veteran and caregiver may include name, contact information, date of birth, personal opinions or views about the applicant and their caregiving needs, and signatures. Personal information collected for the Veteran only may include client identification numbers and health information. Personal information collected for the caregiver only may include other identification numbers, and financial information. Other required personal information may include whether the applicant is a VAC employee, other information required for identity validation, and information regarding a representative.

Note: Revised in 2019. Formerly known as the Family Caregiver Relief Benefit. For all Family Caregiver Relief Benefit applications made under subsection 65.1(1) of the Veterans Well-being Act, as it read on March 31, 2018, and that was received by the Minister before April 1, 2018, are to be dealt with in accordance with the Personal Information Bank VAC PPU 702 as it read on March 31, 2018.  Information may be stored in VAC's physical and electronic systems including: Client Service Delivery Network (CSDN) and/or GCCase, which may include client initiated actions and responses made through My VAC Account, and/or, VAC staff/contracted resource initiated actions and responses made through Benefit and Health Services On-line (BHSOL).

Some documents received in VAC from the Department of National Defence (DND) may reference the social insurance number (SIN) as DND personnel were required to use the SIN as their personal identification number between 1960 and 1990.

Class of Individuals: Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, informal caregivers, and/or representatives.

Purpose: The personal information is used to administer the program, determine eligibility and entitlement, and disburse funds. Personal information is collected pursuant to section 65.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act, as well as the associated Veterans Well-being Regulations.

Consistent Uses: Information may be used and disclosed for planning, research, development, evaluation and/or reporting of programs, policies and services. The use and disclosure is limited to VAC areas that are involved in the identified program, service and policy, and may also be shared with senior management.

Personal information may be shared with other VAC programs, including programs covered by the application waiver provision under sections 80.1 of the Pension Act and/or 78.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act, for the purpose of determining eligibility for additional benefits, assessments, case management, mental health initiatives, and/or commemorative activities, where applicable.

Disclosure of Veteran and/or designated caregiver information may occur between VAC, the Veteran, and the designated caregiver for purposes of administering the program.

Name, contact information, identifying number, entitlement amounts and direct deposit instructions may be shared with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for the purposes of issuing payments (refer to Receiver General Payments – PWGSC PCU 712).

Personal information may be obtained by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in accordance with an established Memorandum of Agreement, for the purpose of creating a digital image of the record for use by VAC (refer to PSPC institution-specific personal information bank, PWGSC PCU 709 – Document Imaging Solutions); PSPC will not use the personal information for the purposes of making administrative decisions.

Personal information such as name, contact information, service information, health and financial information may be shared with an authorized and approved third party, in accordance with an established Service Level Agreement for the purpose of printing and mailing services. The approved third party will not use the personal information for the purposes of making administrative decisions.

Veterans Affairs Canada has contracted an authorized and approved third party, located in Canada, to provide transportation, storage, maintenance retrieval, delivery, and destruction services of VAC records, where applicable.

Retention and Disposal Standards: Regardless of the format, as part of the client record, the retention period is 7 years after the date of death of the applicant. If the date is not known, the retention period is 110 years after the date of birth provided there are no known dependents, no outstanding claims against the crown, no actions involving the estate, no indication on file of the legal status of a dependent, and no activity of any kind.