Extended Benefits to Allied Veterans and their Families

[W. K. Lis]

Government Introduces Changes to Legislation to Extend Benefits to Allied Veterans and their Families

From the News Release from Veterans Affairs Canada:

News Release

June 1, 2009
Government Introduces Changes to Legislation to Extend Benefits to Allied Veterans and their Families

Ottawa, ON — The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, introduced Legislation today to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act to extend benefits to Allied Veterans and their family members.

"Our Government made a promise to support Allied Veterans living in Canada by extending benefits that were removed in 1995. We are proud to be keeping that promise today by amending this legislation," said Minister Thompson. "Our Government has made major improvements to programs, services and benefits for Veterans and their families since 2006. With this new legislation, we are building on our commitment-by giving Allied Veterans more choice, more options, and more hope of living out their lives with respect, comfort, dignity and honour."

Under the proposed legislation, Allied Veterans of the Second World War, who live in Canada and have for at least ten years, will have access to War Veterans Allowance and associated assistance and health benefits. Eligibility will also be expanded to include those who fought for Allied Forces in the Korean War. Family members may also receive benefits. These changes, when enacted, will allow payment of benefits retroactive to October 14, 2008—the day this Government was given a new mandate to act on its pledge to Allied Veterans.

"We want to extend these benefits as soon as possible," added Minister Thompson. "That's why eligible Allied Veterans and their family members may receive payment for benefits back to October 14, 2008."

An Allied Veteran is a Veteran who served with the forces of any nation allied with Canada during the First World War, Second World War or the Korean War.

For more information, visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca or call 1-866-890-6813 (service in English) / 1-866-890-9437 (service in French) / 1-800-465-7735 (TTY/ATS).

Backgrounder — Government Introduces Changes to Legislation to Extend Benefits to Allied Veterans and their Families

Questions and Answers — Proposed amendments to the War Veterans Allowance Act

Countries Allied with His Majesty during Second World War:*

Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
China
Costa Rica
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Ethiopia
France
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
India
Iraq
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Panama
Philippines
Poland
South Africa
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
United Kingdom
United States
Yugoslavia

Note: Resistance Organizations within Allied Countries would not be recognized.


Countries Allied with United Nations Forces during the Korean War:*

Australia
Belgium
Colombia
Denmark
Ethiopia
France
Greece
India
Italy
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Republic of Korea
South Africa
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

*Note: These lists may not be exhaustive and may be subject to war-time participation dates. For the purposes of this document, the term "Allied Veteran" is defined in the War Veterans Allowance Act. It includes those former members of His Majesty's forces, and former members of forces of countries that were allied with His Majesty, during the Second World War​

Benefits include:

War Veterans Allowance — Guaranteed monthly income to meet basic needs
Assistance Fund — Financial assistance in times of emergency that affect health and/or safety.
Funeral and Burial — Financial assistance to ensure a dignified funeral and burial for Veterans.
Treatment Benefits — Coverage ranging from hearing aids to prescription drugs to dental and vision care.
Veterans Independence Program — A home-care program that includes personal care services, access to nutritious meals, housekeeping, grounds maintenance and other services.
Long-term Care — Care in a facility for those who are no longer able to stay at home.

Family members may also receive the War Veterans Allowance, the Assistance Fund and housekeeping and grounds maintenance to help them remain in their own homes. While implementation is expected in January 2010, eligible Allied Veterans and family members may receive payment for benefits back to October 14, 2008.

You may want to pass this information onto allied veterans, or friends or families of allied veterans.

 

[Maggie]

We owe them so much for our Freedoms and Liberties. Whatever these Men and Women want they should receive. It's to bad Rememberance Day is only once a year.

 

[kEiThZ]

Why not recognize the resistance fighters? They were just as valuable as the troops. We could not have won without them.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Why not recognize the resistance fighters? They were just as valuable as the troops. We could not have won without them.

I don't think they will have documents that say "resistance fighter" on it. Especially, for those in Eastern Europe at the time. They were taken "care" of by the U.S.S.R. Would like to see some kind of documents that would recognize them however.

 

[kEiThZ]

Personally, I'd like to see them provide veterans benefits to soldiers that fought us as well. With the exception of those who served in elite units like the SS, the rest were conscripts forced into service just trying to stay alive. I think they deserve some consideration for their efforts...even if they were against us.

And you'd probably find few of those in uniform opposed to that sentiment. Soldiers are after all, often the first and sometimes only people who truly respect their opponents.

Though I dunno if the general population would buy it....