Education and Training Benefit (VAC PPU 710)

Description: This bank describes information that is used in support of determining eligibility and entitlement for grants for the Education and Training Benefit. The information is about individuals who applied for and/or receive the Education and Training Benefit. The personal information may include name; contact information; language; identifying numbers; date of birth; signature; military service information, including years of service, date and type of release; Member Personnel Record Résumé (MPRR); opinion of, or about individuals; eligibility information related to the Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS) program, Rehabilitation and Vocational Assistance program, and Career Transition Services program; client progress reports and evaluations; social insurance number; employee of VAC; educational information; validation of identity documentation; direct deposit information; health information.

Note: Revised in 2019.  Information may be stored in VAC's physical and electronic systems including: Client Service Delivery Network (CSDN), GCCase which may include client initiated actions and responses made through My VAC Account, and/or VAC staff/contracted resource initiated actions.

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: Veterans of the Canadian Forces (Regular and Reserve, including Supplementary Reserve), and/or their representatives.

Purpose: The personal information is used to determine eligibility for and administer the Education and Training Benefit. Personal information is collected pursuant to Part 1.1, sections 5.2 to 5.93 and section 78.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act formerly known as the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act and its accompanying 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.

Information such as eligibility and tombstone information may be shared with a contracted National Service Provider for the purpose of delivering Education and Training Benefit services on behalf of VAC.

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) and identifiers may be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Province of Quebec to issue income reporting slips to individuals.

Personal information may be shared with the Department of National Defence (DND) to obtain/verify Service Records and/or Service Health Records in support of program administration. (refer to Personnel Files – Training – DND PPE 842, Canadian Forces Member Personnel Information File – DND PPE 818, Human Resources Management Information System (HRMS) – DND PPE 805, and Unit Military Personnel Bank - DND PPE 836).

Personal information 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 - Digital Imaging Solutions). PSPC will not use the personal information for the purposes of making administrative decisions.

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).

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.

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.

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.