VAC Veterans Disability Benefits Payment Dates (2024)

The latest data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada shows that 82,900 veterans received disability benefits in 2022.

This number of VAC benefit recipients has decreased significantly compared to 2018, when 101,451 beneficiaries received VAC benefits.

VAC veterans disability benefits payment dates are typically during the last few days of the month so that beneficiaries have the funds available to use at the beginning of the following month.

Below, I’ll give you a full breakdown of the upcoming VAC veterans disability payment dates for 2023, show you how much you could receive, and what benefits you may be eligible for.

VAC Veterans Disability Payment Dates For 2024

Here are the VAC veterans disability payment dates scheduled for 2024:

  • January 30, 2024
  • February 28, 2024
  • March 27, 2024
  • April 29, 2024
  • May 30, 2024
  • June 27, 2024
  • July 30, 2024
  • August 29, 2024
  • September 26, 2024
  • October 30, 2024
  • November 28, 2024
  • December 23, 2024

VAC benefits are typically paid on the second-to-last business day of the month.

For example, if the last day of the month is on a Tuesday, you’ll be paid on Monday. If the last day of the month is on a Monday, you’ll be paid the Friday before, and so on.

The one exception to this rule is during the holiday season in December. During the holidays, disabled veterans can expect their VAC benefit payment on the second-to-last business day before Christmas.

Since Christmas falls on a Monday in 2023, you’ll receive your benefit on Thursday, the 21st.

This is a nice gesture, as it ensures that veterans receive their funds before the holidays, which can relieve some of the stress felt by lower to middle-income veterans during the holiday season.

What Are VAC Disability Benefits?

The 2021 Canadian census revealed that there are currently 461,240 veterans living in Canada. Of these, roughly 18% (82,900 veterans) have at least one disability that they receive benefit payments for.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) recognizes the sacrifice made by military service members and offers monthly benefit payments to compensate them for disabilities as well as pain and suffering.

Many disabled veterans are also eligible to receive additional allowances and benefit payments based on their needs and unique circumstances.

Offering your time, youth, and health in service of the Canadian Armed Forces is a sacrifice that most aren’t willing to make. As the average cost of living in Canada continues to increase, these benefit payments can provide vital support to veterans who sacrificed their health in the course of duty.

The government rewards provides financial benefits to veterans who fell victim to a long-term illness or sustained long-term injuries during the course of their service. These payments are all administered by the department of Veterans Affairs Canada.

There are several different disability benefits and allowances that Canadian vets may be eligible for, including:

  • Disability pension (the most common)
  • Pain & suffering compensation
  • Income replacement benefit
  • Clothing allowance
  • … and more

If you’re eligible to receive VAC disability benefits, you can expect the amount of your combined benefits to be issued as a single payment on the dates listed above. Now, let’s take a minute to go over the two primary VAC disability benefits.

Disability Pension

The disability pension is a monthly payment issued to eligible Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) veterans who have been diagnosed with a medical condition or disability related to their military service.

Other than having a proveable disability, applicants must:

  • Be a current member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Be a current or former member of the RCMP
  • Be a veteran of World War II or the Korean War
  • Be a civilian who served in World War II

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a lifetime monthly pension payment. The amount of the benefit may be increased depending on your living situation and whether or not you have dependents in your care.

Pain & Suffering Compensation

Depending on your case, the VAC may determine that you’re better suited for the pain and suffering compensation benefit. This benefit differs slightly from the standard disability pension and is designed to compensate CAF members or veterans for extensive pain and suffering caused by a service-related injury or sustained disability.

Are CAF Afghanistan Veterans Eligible For VAC Disability Benefits?

Above, you may have noticed that eligibility for the VAC disability benefit specifically mentions that it’s designed for veterans of World War II or the Korean War. Since these conflicts, Canada has tried its best to remain neutral and avoid unnecessary conflict.

However, over 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014, the most since World War II.

Are these veterans also eligible to receive veterans benefit payments?

Don’t worry – if you sustained a disability related to your service in the Afghanistan conflict, you’ll still be eligible to receive disability benefits.

Since the conflict ended more recently, though, the VAC is still assessing cases and processing applications. This is why the VAC has yet to offer standard documentation regarding Afghanistan disability benefits.

If you believe you may be eligible for benefits, though, your VAC caseworker should be able to help you through the application process.

How Much Does The VAC Veterans Disability Pay?

Depending on which benefit you’re approved for, you could receive a maximum benefit of $3,019.53 per month for the disability benefit pension (plus additional amounts for your spouse and/or children) or $1,216.71 per month for the pain and suffering compensation benefit.

The amount you’re entitled to receive depends on a number of different factors, such as:

  • The severity of your disability, injury, or illness
  • Your living status (single or married)
  • Dependents in your care

First, let’s look at the maximum payment amounts for the disability benefit pension:

Injury ClassSingle Applicant BenefitSpousal BenefitFirst Child Benefit2+ Child Benefit
1$3,019.53$754.88$392.54$286.85
5$2,415.62$603.91$314.03$229.48
10$1,660.74$415.19$215.90$157.77
15$905.86$226.47$117.76$86.06
20$150.98$37.75$19.63$14.34
Source: VAC Pension Rates

The injury class of your disability ranges from 1 to 20 and indicates the severity of your disability, with 1 indicating a severe disability and 20 indicating the least severe disability.

Now, let’s take a look at how much you could receive if you’re approved for the VAC pain and suffering compensation benefit:

Severity of DisabilityMonthly BenefitLump Sum (If Chosen)
5%$60.84$19,793.71
20%$243.34$79,174.84
40%$486.68$158,349.67
60%$730.03$237,524.51
80%$973.37$316,699.34
100%$1,216.71$395,874.18

If you’re approved for the VAC pain and suffering compensation benefit, you’ll be able to choose between receiving a monthly benefit paid for your lifetime or a single lump sum payment.

If you’re just looking to sustain yourself and your family, I recommend taking the monthly benefit. However, opting to receive a lump sum payment could be particularly helpful if you’re trying to start a business, buy a home, or make another investment.

Who Is Eligible To Receive VAC Disability Benefits?

Eligibility for VAC disability benefits depends on the severity of your injury, the conflict you served in, and other factors.

The main eligibility requirement for most benefits is that the applicant must be a current member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and must have sustained a long-term injury, disability, or illness related to their service in the military.

How To Apply For Veterans Disability Benefits In Canada?

VAC disability benefits are not automatically credited to eligible recipients. Instead, veterans and active service members must apply individually either online or with a physical form. There are two ways to apply for VAC benefits:

  • Apply online with your My VAC Account (you’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one)
  • Apply in-person by dropping off a completed VAC benefit application form at your local VAC office or mail the form to a VAC office

Of the two methods, I recommend applying online. With the online application process, you’ll be able to track the progress of your application, quickly submit documentation, and won’t have to worry about your application being lost in the mail.

If you have any questions while completing your VAC disability benefit application, you can utilize the following resources:

  • Call the VAC hotline: 1-866-522-2122
  • Visit a VAC office to speak with a representative
  • Visit a Service Canada office to speak with a representative
  • Visit a CAF Transition Centre
  • Visit the Royal Canadian Legion and speak with a representative

Other VAC Benefits That Veterans Can Apply For In Canada

In addition to the disability pension and the pain and suffering compensation benefit, there are also several other VAC veteran benefits that you can apply to as well. Applying for these benefits is free and doesn’t take much time, so I recommend applying to as many as you believe you’re eligible for.

1. Exceptional Incapacity Allowance

This allowance may provide up to $1,598.45 per month paid in addition to the standard disability pension. It’s meant to provide extra compensation to disabled veterans who experience substantial pain, discomfort, or reduced quality of life due to an injury or disability they sustained in the course of duty.

2. Additional Pain & Suffering Compensation

Eligible veterans may receive up to $1,587.02 in monthly benefits if the pain and suffering sustained during their service limits them from establishing a standard civilian life, finding employment, or causes substantial pain in their day-to-day living.

3. Attendance Allowance

Disabled veterans who require in-home assistance from a healthcare professional may receive up to $1,998.03 per month to help cover the cost of the service.

4. Clothing Compensation

If your disability requires you to purchase specific clothing or causes excessive wear and tear to your normal clothing (i.e., using crutches may cause your shirts to tear or rip prematurely), then you may receive up to $226.41 in monthly benefits to cover the cost of replacement.

5. Income Replacement Benefit

This benefit is designed to replace lost income that a veteran would otherwise be able to make if they had not sustained their service-related injury. It pays up to 90% of the applicant’s pre-military salary.

6. Caregiver Recognition Benefit

This monthly benefit is similar to the attendance allowance benefit mentioned above. However, this is paid in correlation with the pain and suffering compensation benefit instead of the disability pension.

If approved, beneficiaries may receive up to $1,083.40 per month to help cover the cost of in-home medical assistance and care.

7. VAC VIP Benefit

The Veterans Independence Program is a monthly benefit that’s designed to help aging or disabled veterans remain in independent living situations, so that they don’t have to give up their home and move into an assisted living facility.

This benefit can provide compensation to help veterans cover independent living-related costs, such as:

  • Landscaping and home maintenance
  • House cleaning
  • Mobility installments (ramps, rails, etc.)
  • Nutrition-related expenses
  • … and more

VAC VIP benefits are paid monthly in addition to any other VAC benefits you may receive and are paid on the same date.

Will The VAC Disability Benefit Be Increased?

Periodically, the government and the VAC increase the amount of the monthly disability benefit payment to reflect changes in Canada’s inflation and the consumer price index (CPI). This ensures that veterans will continue to receive the same level of aid, despite changing economic conditions.

Support for Dependents and Survivors

VAC is committed to not only supporting our veterans but also the loved ones who stand by them.

Children

Children of veterans often inherit a legacy of pride mixed with the weight of sacrifice. Growing up in a household with a veteran parent means bearing witness to the unique challenges and tribulations of military life.

  • Education Support: Recognizing that the future lies in the hands of our youth, VAC offers financial aid to children of veterans, ensuring they receive quality higher education without undue financial burdens. Scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans can be part of this package.
  • Mental Health Resources: Growing up with the stories and sometimes the traumas of war can be challenging. VAC has on-board expert child psychologists and counsellors specifically trained to address the emotional needs of these children, providing them with a safe space to express and understand their feelings.

Spouses

The spouses of our veterans are the unsung heroes who provide unwavering support, ensuring the home front remains strong. They face long separations, frequent moves, and the anxiety that comes with having a loved one in harm’s way.

  • Financial Support: For those who face the ultimate sacrifice, VAC provides financial assistance to widows, widowers, or surviving common-law partners. This includes monthly pensions, allowances, and other monetary benefits.
  • Counselling Services: The journey of healing and coping can be long and arduous. Through VAC, spouses have access to top-tier counselling services, group therapy sessions, and community support groups designed to aid in the healing process.

Survivors

Losing a loved one in service is a pain unparalleled. VAC stands with the survivors, ensuring they’re not alone in their journey of grief and recovery.

  • Grief Counseling: Bereavement is a complex process. VAC’s trained counsellors help navigate the stages of grief, providing understanding and tools to cope.
  • Financial Assistance: Beyond immediate assistance, VAC offers continued financial support, ensuring the family can maintain their quality of life. This includes survivor pensions, educational benefits for children, and even housing grants.

FAQs About VAC Veteran Benefit Payments

To finish up, here are a few quick answers about VAC veteran benefit payments.

How Will My Veterans Disability Benefits Be Paid?

Your disability benefits will typically be paid via direct deposit to the primary bank account that you have registered with the CRA. However, some applicants may opt to receive mailed cheques.

If you choose to receive mailed cheques, allow an extra three to five business days for your cheque to arrive in the mail after the issue date.

Are VAC Benefits Taxable?

VAC benefits and pensions are not designed to replace your income and are not taxable.

Can My Spouse and children Continue To Receive Disability Benefits After I Die?

In most cases, the spouse and immediate children are entitled to continue receiving the veteran service member’s benefits even after they die. After the spouse turns 65 and children are adults, though, the benefit payments may be decreased.

What is the average processing time for a lump sum payment from VAC?

The average processing time for a lump sum payment from VAC can vary based on the complexity of the claim, the completeness of the provided documentation, and the current volume of applications. On average, it might take anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks.

Wrapping Up – When Are VAC Disability Benefits Paid?

Veterans Disability Benefits Payment Dates

All VAC disability benefits and pensions are paid on the second-to-last business day of each month. If you’re eligible to receive multiple benefits, then you’ll receive them all on the same day of the month as a combined payment.

Although your disability may prevent you from working a standard job that requires physical labour, you may still be able to find gainful employment working online in remote positions.

Keep on reading to see my list of the best remote job opportunities for Canadians!

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Author Bio - Christopher Liew is a CFA Charterholder with 11 years of finance experience and the creator of Wealthawesome.com. Read about how he quit his 6-figure salary career to travel the world here.

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