Consultation on Supports for Veteran Families and Caregivers

Families and caregivers play an important role in supporting Veterans during and after their transition from military to post-service life. We are trying to better understand how current VAC supports are helping Veteran families and caregivers, and learn where opportunities may exist to best support families and caregivers of Veterans into the future.

Between November 17, 2022 and December 2, 2022, we asked Veterans; family members of Veterans; caregivers of Veterans; and anyone else with an interest in Veterans and caregivers, questions about their awareness of VAC benefits and services; what benefits and services, if any, they are currently using; and ideas on benefits and services that would support families and caregivers of Veterans in the future. We wanted to know how well we are communicating with families and caregivers of Veterans, what was working and areas where we can improve.

Overall, 295 individuals contributed responses (271 English/24 French). The Veteran survey had the highest response rate with 129 contributors (114 English and 15 French), followed by family member of a Veteran with 97 contributors (93 English and 4 French); caregiver of a Veteran with 64 contributors (59 English and 5 French); and anyone else with an interest in Veterans and caregivers with 5 contributors (5 English; 0 French).

Based on survey responses, Veterans were most likely to seek information on VAC programs and services on My VAC Account, while family members and caregivers of Veterans were most likely to seek information from friends and family.

When asked to propose suggestions for additional supports for caregivers and family members, responses included themes such as:

• increasing awareness of available VAC services and supports;
• recognizing and supporting those who provide care to Veterans; and
• increasing financial, health and social supports for families and caregivers of Veterans.

We have reviewed the survey responses and have learned that Veterans are most likely to seek information on VAC programs and services from My VAC Account. We have also learned that family members and caregivers of Veterans rely on friends and family primarily for this information. To increase awareness of VAC programs and services for caregivers and families of Veterans, we have added the following links to available resources on My VAC Account to ensure information is readily available to those who need it:

Supports for families of Veterans

The following supports, with varying eligibility criteria, are available to families of Veterans:

• VAC Assistance Service (1-800 number)
• Veteran Family Program
• Family Peer Support (Operational Stress Injury Social Support)
• Caregiver Recognition Benefit
• Group health insurance (Public Service Health Care Plan)
• Caregiver Zone
• Operational Stress Injury Resource for Caregivers
• Vocational Assistance
• Career Transition Services
• Mental health services for families
• Mental health first aid for the Veteran community
• Pastoral Outreach Service

Supports for caregivers of Veterans

The following supports, with varying eligibility criteria, are available to caregivers of Veterans:

• VAC Assistance Service (1-800 number)
• Caregiver Recognition Benefit
• Caregiver Zone
• Operational Stress Injury Resource for Caregivers

In addition, we have learned that family members who perform caregiving may not always identify as a caregiver, and as a result, may not be accessing supports that are available to them. Clarity is needed in messaging regarding VAC supports for carers of Veterans.

We will ensure survey results are included in the secondary data analysis of VAC’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which will be published in March 2024.

The information you provided to us is valuable and we thank you for your participation. Your feedback will be considered in current and future work regarding supports for families and caregivers of Veterans.