Veterans in Canada Face Repayment Challenges Exceeding $65K

Post by : Mina Rahman

A troubling situation has emerged as nearly 100 Canadian veterans are being asked to repay substantial sums in benefits, some of which stretch back over five years. These repayment requests, issued by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), indicate that veterans allegedly failed to declare supplementary income, including funds from the Canada Pension Plan.

Since October, VAC has dispatched at least 90 letters to veterans benefiting from the Income Replacement Benefit. These communications state that the veterans owe money due to unreported income. However, many recipients assert that they disclosed all changes and were previously assured their income records were current and accurate.

Angus Cameron, a Navy veteran who frequently assists fellow veterans facing service-related difficulties, labeled the scenario as distressing. “It’s unprecedented to see so many veterans suddenly receiving demands for overpayments — often amounting to thousands of dollars,” he remarked.

One veteran from New Brunswick received a notice claiming he owes over $65,000 for benefits since April 2019. Meanwhile, a counterpart in Quebec faces a staggering repayment of nearly $70,000, with the first installment of $3,600 due this month after being told that his disability income was not eligible.

Veteran advocates and support organizations have criticized VAC's approach to handling these repayments, asserting that veterans shouldn't face repayment demands due to potential departmental mistakes. Suggestions have been made for annual benefit reviews to avert the accumulation of debts over several years.

Experts also caution that the intricate nature of VAC's system can jeopardize vulnerable veterans, especially those battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other service-related conditions. Cameron stressed the importance of a more empathetic approach, stating, “Veterans deserve compassion and assistance rather than unexpected bills that add to their stress levels.”

This recent influx of repayment notices underscores enduring criticisms regarding administrative practices at Veterans Affairs Canada and their potential financial as well as emotional ramifications for the nation’s former service members.