Have you heard about the Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation (APSC) benefit?

Many veterans are aware of the Pain and Suffering Compensation (PSC), granted for service-related illnesses and injuries. It was introduced on April 1, 2019, under the Veterans Well-being Act.

The same legislation includes APSC. To qualify for it, you must have already received a PSC benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada and your illness or injury must have created a barrier to your life after service. It’s a tax-free, monthly benefit, payable for life.

When you apply, VAC will assess your entitled medical conditions, including your level of independent mobility and your need for help with everyday activities such as
personal hygiene, to determine the seriousness of your impairment. There are three grade levels for APSC—with corresponding monthly amounts— grade one being for the most severe conditions. An in-person assessment may be required for grade one benefits.

RCMP officers are eligible only if they also have served in the
military. It’s also not applicable to veterans who served on or before April 1, 1947, or in Korea. In these instances, veterans have compensation under the Pension Act. Also, Canadian Armed Forces members still in service can’t receive APSC until they’re released.

You can apply for APSC online through your My VAC Account or by calling VAC toll-free at 1-866-522-2122.

If you require assistance in gaining access to VAC disability benefits, or have a friend or family member who needs help, you can find a
local command service officer at www.legion.ca/support-for-veterans/contact-a-service-officer. Or call 1-877-534-4666 toll-free to speak to a service officer.