Earnings Loss (VAC PPU 607)

Description: This bank describes information that is used in support of determining eligibility and entitlement for benefits under the Earnings Loss program. The personal information may include name; contact information; biographical information; date of birth; date of death; dependent children information, including confirmation of whether or not a dependent child has a physical or mental incapacity; educational information collected for dependants over 18 and attending post-secondary education in cases of continuing a claim upon the death of the member/Veteran or in cases of “lifetime claims” – in such cases, family information is only collected in cases when the applicant is the spouse/common law partner or orphans (i.e. where the death of the CAF member or Veteran is related to service);  financial information; confirmation of receipt/decision of Canadian Armed Forces Long Term Disability (SISIP) program; employee identification number as referenced on pay stubs/statements of remuneration; language; opinion of, or about, individuals; gender; signature; Social Insurance Number (SIN); guardian or power of attorney information; decision and/or entitlement information about individuals may be received from other VAC programs, including the Rehabilitation Program – decision on eligibility and termination of the Rehabilitation Program, decision on Diminished Earning Capacity (DEC), decisions on Disability Pensions (including additional pension for spouse/common-law partner and dependants), Disability Benefits decision (Disability Pension and Disability Awards) on death being related to service and on eligibility of spouse/common-law partner and orphans. Military service number; military service information; client identifier information; dependent children information – only in cases where the death of the CAF member or Veteran is related to service and the Earnings Loss Benefit is therefore payable to the surviving spouse/common-law partner and orphans; marital status; spouse/common law partner information;  Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR).

Note: Revised in 2017. Information may be stored in VAC's physical and electronic systems including: Client Service Delivery Network (CSDN), 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 Benefits and Health Services On-line (BHSOL). Some documents received in Veterans Affairs Canada (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: Individuals who have applied for and/or received benefits under the Earnings Loss Program may include, but is not limited to: Former members of the Canadian Armed Forces, eligible survivors and dependent children or orphans of a CAF member or Veteran who died due to a service-related injury or disease; or a non-service-related injury or disease aggravated by service, and guardians and/or authorized representatives.

Purpose: The personal information is used to administer the earnings loss program and determine eligibility, disburse funds and provide benefits. Personal information required for the administration of the Earnings Loss Benefit is collected under the authority of sections 76(1) and 80 of the Veterans Well-being Act and section 17 of the Regulations. The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is collected pursuant to section 82 of the Veterans Well-being Act and is used for data matching purposes, including income verification. In accordance with the Income Tax Act, the SIN is also used to issue income reporting slips, where applicable, to individuals. The personal information is also used to make a one-time compensation payment to eligible Veterans and survivors for disability pension offsetting under section 6 of the Budget Implementation Act.

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. Such information 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 section 78.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act, for the purpose of determining eligibility. Information may also be shared to support the provision of case management services to the client, if applicable. Name, contact information, client identifier, 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. Data elements may be shared with SISIP to facilitate and support the harmonization of services to mutual clients and to make informed decisions and avoid duplication of services regarding client needs which are addressed between two different agencies (VAC and SISIP). The SIN and personal identifiers may be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Province of Quebec. In accordance with an established Memorandum of Understanding, the SIN and other personal information may be shared with CRA to facilitate income verification (refer to CRA institution-specific personal information bank, Individual Returns and Payment Processing – CRA PPU 005). In accordance with an established Memorandum of Understanding the SIN, and other personal information may be shared with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to facilitate income verification. In exchange, ESDC will provide confirmation of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) gross payment amount to ensure EL benefit payments are accurate and are provided in a timely manner (refer to the ESDC personal information banks Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement Allowance – ESDC PPU 116 and Canada Pension Plan – Retirement, Disability, Survivors and Death Benefits Individual – ESDC PPU 146). Personal information, including Service Health Records, may be obtained by 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. By Order in Council 2011-1348, Employment and Social Development Canada may provide services on behalf of VAC. Personal information received by VAC may be shared with other VAC programs to determine if individuals may be eligible for additional benefits and/or case management, mental health initiatives, or for commemorative activities, where applicable. VAC 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. Personal information such as name, contact information, service information, health and financial information may be shared with Shared Services Canada in accordance with an established Service Level Agreement for the purpose of printing and mailing services (Utility Computing Services – SSC POCS 169).

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.