Veterans applying for a disability benefit for certain mental health conditions will now receive immediate mental health coverage.
1 April 2022 - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - Veterans Affairs Canada
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health announced today that eligible Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans, including certain serving classes of Reservists, applying for a disability benefit for certain mental health conditions will now receive immediate mental health coverage. These Mental Health Benefits were announced in Budget 2021.
Coverage applies to treatments for anxiety, depressive, and trauma-and-stressor-related disorders. It lasts for two years starting when the disability benefits application is submitted, regardless of whether it is ultimately approved. If the disability benefit application is approved, treatment will be covered for as long as necessary through Veterans Affairs Canada's Treatment Benefits program.
This initiative is part of the Department's ongoing work to address the unique health needs of Veterans. Reservists on Class A or Class B (less than 180 days), as well as Veterans and Reservists living outside of Canada, also qualify for Mental Health Benefits.
