On our side—
Evidence of meeting #4 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was person.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was person.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
On our side—
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
When it comes to paying out the benefits—
Noon
Bloc
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
As soon as someone is released for medical reasons, the case is accepted. That is one of the criteria for automatic eligibility for benefits.
Noon
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
That is to be expected, since the person is leaving the regular forces and will be dealt with by Veterans Affairs Canada so that there is no delay. But there is a delay when it comes to claims. Suppose that the person has been a veteran for two years and goes to see his or her doctor, who makes a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome and recommends an application to Veterans Affairs Canada.
If such an application is made, how long will it take to process the file and indicate whether the claim has been approved or not?
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
You are talking about veterans. I cannot comment on veterans' files.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
If the file involves the SISIP, more specifically the long-term disability program, it comes to us. We do an assessment. As soon as we have all the documents in hand, we make a decision. That decision is usually made in two weeks. That does not mean that we receive all the documents quickly.
Noon
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
You should already have those documents, since people who have been wounded in Afghanistan, treated and released are merely changing from one system to the other. You already have the documents and you know the medical history.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
I understand very well what you are saying, Mr. Vincent. If we have all the documents in hand or if someone has already been deemed eligible for release, it is never a problem.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
It is the files of those suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome that pose a problem. Those claims often come three, four or five years after the release date, since the syndrome develops over a long period of time.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
When someone submits a claim for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he or she has always been out of the Canadian Forces for four or five years. So we must have the medical documentation. Through the Canadian Forces' medical system, we will obtain the necessary documents. And if we need additional medical information, we will often get it from Sainte-Anne Hospital. A number of patients at that hospital have suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome. So once we have all the documents, we can approve a claim.
When we approve a claim for post-traumatic stress syndrome for someone who was released from the Canadian Forces five, six or seven years previously, the benefits are paid retroactively back to the date of release. We do not go back one year. People might think that if a claim is approved today, the benefits will start today. In fact, if we approve the claim today and the person was released in 2002, the benefits will be calculated starting in 2002. It is retroactive.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
We move that quickly. Once we have the documentation, it goes quickly.
Noon
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Yes, but what documentation do you need? If the doctor has already made a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome and sent the documentation with a proper justification concerning the syndrome, do you send the client to your own doctors?
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
No.
Noon
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
No? The doctor's diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome is accepted.
Noon
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
When we receive such claims, our doctor at the Halifax office examines the documentation. If he believes that the claim is supported with respect to post-traumatic stress syndrome, the doctor who deals with our files will approve the application.
12:05 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
If that doctor does not give his approval, what happens? Is an appeal possible?
12:05 p.m.
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
Yes, an appeal is possible. If the documentation submitted by the doctor is not deemed to support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome, we will need to obtain further information. So it is quite possible that a claim would be rejected on the basis of insufficient medical information. The person can then appeal the decision, and when we receive the necessary medical documentation, a new review will take place.
12:05 p.m.
President, Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Department of National Defence
It takes—