A veteran with dual entitlement is someone who has disability entitlement under both the Pension Act and the new Veterans Well-being Act. Assessment is the term used to determine the extent of disability that helps to set financial benefits. When a veteran’s conditions combined total 100 per cent assessment, there is no further financial compensation. For any new successful claim, only treatment benefits would be available.
For some, however, it may be more beneficial to receive decisions on claims under one law before proceeding with claims under the other. While each case is unique, there are factors that veterans may wish to consider before proceeding with a new disability benefits application or a reassessment.
One consideration is whether you have a dependant to whom a survivor pension may be payable. For a full survivor pension, a veteran must have been receiving a 48 per cent disability pension under the Pension Act. In 2025, this rate is $2583.44 per month. But, if a veteran was receiving 47 per cent prior to death, the survivor pension would be half the amount the veteran was getting. Half currently equates to $968.80.
In other words, depending on a disability award, a survivor might no longer be able to qualify for a full survivor pension.
Each situation is unique, and there may be different factors to consider, but it’s important that veterans understand the potential implications before proceeding with either, or both, a disability benefits claim and assessment. There is no legislative authority to reverse a disability-award decision.
If you’re a veteran with dual entitlement, a Royal Canadian Legion command service officer can explain how a new disability claim or reassessment may impact a survivor pension.
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