Disability benefits

Disability benefits are a form of financial assistance or welfare designed to support individuals with disabilities, with them being unable to work due to a chronic illness, disease or injury. Disability benefits are typically provided through various sources, including government programs, group disability insurance provided by employers or associations or private insurance policies typically purchased through a licensed insurance agent or broker, or directly from an insurance company.

The primary purpose of disability benefits is to offer a safety net for those whose earning capacity is impacted by a disability, ensuring they have the necessary support for their living expenses. By compensating for lost income, disability benefits play a crucial role in helping individuals maintain financial stability and quality of life in the face of challenging health circumstances.

is paid to children under 16 who have some degree of care and/or mobility needs. In the past, it was available to adults aged 65 or under, but claims for DLA for adults are now being phased out and transferred to PIP.^[1]

Disability Living Allowance

Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) is a program that offers cost-sharing benefits designated to cover a portion of health insurance expenses for surviving spouses and children who do not meet the criteria for medical insurance coverage.

TRICARE

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers furnishes eligible veterans' family caregivers with a range of support, including financial stipends, access to health insurance, provisions for mental health counseling, and training to enhance caregiving skills. This program is specifically aimed at those caregivers whose veterans sustained serious injuries while in the line of duty.

The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program caters to the spouses and children of veterans who resided at for a duration of at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987. Eligibility for VA benefits is extended to those who experience specific medical conditions as a result of their time spent at the base.^[18]

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program offers coverage for medical treatment related to birth defects and other medical conditions linked to .

Spina Bifida

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a compensation benefit exempt from taxation, provided to surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans whose service-connected disabilities lead to their demise.

Combat-Related Special Compensation addresses the situation where disabled military veterans concurrently receive military retirement payments and disability compensation payments. This benefit ensures that some of these veterans receive supplementary tax-free payments if their service-connected disability can be attributed to combat, hazardous duty, war simulation training, exposure to specific weapons or their consequences, or activities resulting in the award of a Purple Heart.

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Must be Under 65 years of age - and not collecting a CPP Retirement .

Pension

Meet Contribution Requirements - which generally means that a Canadian worker must have made on pensionable earnings in four of the last six years at minimum, or three of the last six years if they have contributed for 25 years or more.[1]

CPP contributions

Meet the Definition of Disability - the CPP Disability test in Canada is outlined in the Canada Pension Plan legislation, specifically in Section 42(2)(a) of the Canada Pension Plan. The legislative test states that a person shall be considered to be disabled only if they have a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability. A disability must be considered "severe" and "prolonged." A disability is considered severe if, by reason of the disability, the person is incapable of regularly pursuing any substantially gainful occupation. Substantially gainful is defined by the legislation as profitable work that provides a significant source of income or livelihood, not volunteer work or hobbies. A disability would be considered prolonged if it is determined in a prescribed manner that the disability is likely to continue for an indefinite duration or is likely to result in death. Lastly, the term "infinite duration" as defined by the legislation means that the disability is not expected to improve in the foreseeable future, with no specific end date.

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Must Peroperly Complete the Application Process - individual must actively apply for the benefits. This involves completing various forms, including a medical report to be filled out by a healthcare professional. The application is then reviewed by CPP officials to determine eligibility based on the provided documentation and criteria.