Injured troops get extra cash

The federal government is blaming an increase in the number of military personnel struggling with PTSD and other psychological trauma for a multimillion-dollar shortfall in a government-backed insurance program.

The Defence Department says there has been a 60-percent increase in the number of service members who have left the Armed Forces and applied for long-term disability benefits under the Service Income Security Insurance Plan over the past five years.

The plan provides injured members with up to 75 per cent of their pre-release salary for two years — or until age 65 for those who are completely disabled — in addition to any pension or disability awards from Veterans Affairs Canada.

Several factors have contributed to the growing demand, said military spokesman navy Lt. Kelly Boyden, including an aging military force and more awareness among injured military personnel about the benefits available.

But financial documents tabled in the House of Commons this week also say there has been a “significantly higher number of claims, largely owing to increased awareness and recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health.”

That was why the insurance plan was underfunded, the documents say, and why government was being forced to add an additional $623 million to address the shortfall.