Legislative Changes Granting More Support for Allied Veterans and Their Families Receives Royal Assent
Ottawa – Amendments to the War Veterans Allowance Act extending benefits to Allied Veterans received Royal Assent today. Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada assented to a Bill which enables Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to extend benefits to low-income Allied Veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War. Family members may also receive benefits.
"Thanks to the unanimous support of all parties, these legislative changes have passed extraordinarily quickly," said the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "This is a testament to the significance of these amendments and it allows us to fulfill our Government’s promise to do the right thing for Canada’s Allied Veterans and their families."
The changes to the legislation provide low-income Allied Veterans of the Second World War, who live in Canada and have for at least ten years, with 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 who live in Canada and have for at least ten years.
Although implementation is scheduled for January 2010, eligible Allied Veterans and family members may receive payment for benefits back to October 14, 2008.
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), or 1-800-465-7735 (TTY/ATS).
