Emergency Aid for Veterans Went 53 Percent Over Budget Last Year

A sign reading “support our veterans” on a truck windshield outside the Veterans Affairs office in Halifax on June 16, 2016. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan)

A federal program providing emergency relief to destitute veterans and their families went over budget by 53 percent last year, according to a government briefing note.

Since its inception in April 2018, the Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) has received $1 million in annual funding. In 2023, the actual payout reached $1.53 million, as reported in the May 8 briefing note first obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.

Demand for the VEF has consistently surpassed 1 million annually since the program began, with a significant increase last year from $1.06 million in 2022. The briefing note did not specify the reasons for this surge.

To meet the rising demand, Veterans Affairs Canada has had to “internally reallocate resources to the fund,” as stated in the briefing note.

The Epoch Times reached out to Veterans Affairs for comment but didn’t hear back immediately.

The Veterans Emergency Fund provided tax-free payments to 938 veterans and their family members 979 times in the 2023–24 fiscal year as of March 1, 2024, according to records. A total of $7 million has been distributed to veterans and their families between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023.

Decision-makers are authorized to approve up to $2,500 annually, or up to $10,000 in exceptional circumstances, per veteran or household within a fiscal year.

The fund specifically addresses essential needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and uninsured one-time medical or dental expenses to prevent crises that could threaten health and well-being. Applicants are not required to access other funds or service programs before applying.

A 2021 audit of the program said since its implementation, a total 1,601 unique clients have been approved for VEF funding. Among them, 350 have returned to Veterans Affairs seeking additional emergency support.

“I can use the VEF to provide a Veteran a hotel room on a night where it is -40 and all the shelters are full,” auditors quoted a department staff member in their report, Evaluation of The Veterans Emergency Fund. “I could literally save their life. But the next day, the shelters are still full and there are no affordable housing options in my area.”

Most payments were issued within two days. Payments are usually made directly to third parties via credit card or cheque. Depending on the situation, direct deposits or cheques may also be issued to the applicants.

When asked how a VEF applicant is assisted over the long term, the briefing note stated that Veterans Affairs Canada refers veterans and their families to additional resources, including case management and rehabilitation services, financial counselling, and Military Family Resource Centres.