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What does this program offer?

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is a national home care program that helps eligible clients to remain healthy and independent in their own homes or communities.

The program offers a variety of services to eligible clients based on individual circumstances and health needs. All services under this program must be pre-authorized by VAC.

Who is eligible for VIP services?

The following clients may qualify for VIP services:

• disability benefit recipients who require VIP for their entitled conditions,
• wartime pensioners who are seriously disabled (with disability entitlement at 78% or higher) or are medium disabled (48-77%) and who require VIP services for any health condition,
• disability benefit recipients, who have multiple health conditions which, when combined with their VAC entitled condition places them at risk, may be provided VIP services for any health related need,
• War Veterans who qualify because of low income as established under the War Veterans Allowance Act,
• totally disabled Veterans in receipt of Prisoner of War Compensation or Detention Benefits,
• Overseas Service Veterans who are at home awaiting admission to a priority access bed,
• Canada Service Veterans who are over age 65 and income qualified, and
• Qualified survivors or primary caregivers of certain Veterans or Civilians.

What services does the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) include?

Provides financial assistance with activities regularly required to maintain the grounds immediately surrounding the client’s home, such as snow removal and lawn mowing.

Housekeeping - routine and non-routine

Provides financial assistance with routine tasks, such as laundry or vacuuming. In exceptional circumstances non-routine housekeeping may be approved.

Personal Care

Provides for the services of health care professionals to assist clients with activities of daily living such as eating and bathroom activities. It may also cover supervision of clients who cannot be left unattended.

Home Adaptions

Provides assistance in making changes to a client’s home to enable them to carry out everyday activities. This service does not include general renovations or repairs.

Access to Nutrition

Provides financial assistance for accessing a healthy diet. The service does not cover the cost of food; however, it does allow for the delivery of meals to the home or the transportation of the client to community or restaurant facilities to obtain meals.

Health and Support Services Provided by Health Professionals

Provides for assessments, diagnostic services and personal care provided by health professionals. These services are only provided when they are not covered by provincial or private health insurance.

Ambulatory Health Care

Provides for health and social services provided outside the home, such as adult day care and travel costs to access these services.

Intermediate Care Services

Provides for short term assistance when living at home is no longer practical and a greater level of nursing and personal assistance is required.

Social Transportation

Provides financial assistance for transportation to allow the client to participate in social activities when transportation is not otherwise available. Activities may include church, visits with family, banking and shopping. This service is not provided where eligibility for VIP is based exclusively on disability entitlement.

How do I know which VIP services I am eligible to receive?

VAC staff conduct a determination of your health and social needs, either over the phone, in person or by mail, based on your individual situation. Once services are approved, you will receive a letter confirming the service(s) for which you are eligible.

How do I obtain services under VIP?

All VIP services must be pre-authorized by VAC.

An eligible service can be obtained by presenting your VAC Health Identification card or your VAC Health Identification letter to a registered provider. You do not need to be out of pocket for approved expenses when using a registered VIP provider. If you used a non-registered provider to receive a pre-authorized service, you must submit your original receipts within 18 months of the date that you receive the service, with a claim form, to VAC for reimbursement:

National Veterans Independence Program Reimbursement Centre
90 University Avenue
Suite 120
Charlottetown PE C1A 9S2

How do I qualify as a primary caregiver?

In order to determine whether you qualify as a primary caregiver, please contact VAC at the telephone numbers provided inside the cover of this publication.