WHEN THE WAR ENDS
Returning to civilian life AFTER COMBAT
Life after service can present a number of challenges for veterans and their families. Fortunately, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has a number of programs in place to help. Here is a partial listing of the types of assistance available. Please consult the VAC website, Veterans.gc.ca, for more details.
HEALTH RESOURCES
• Group health insurance (complementary with other bene¿ts) • Health care bene¿ts for veterans that allow ¿nancial support for a number of treatments and services • Financial assistance in the procuring of
assistive devices for a variety of health needs • Mental health support through a case manager with VAC, as well as other services and information
EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
• Veterans Affairs Canada offers reimbursement up to $1,000 for career transition services. A variety of employment assistance, such as career counselling and aptitude testing, is covered. • Preferential appointments to federal government jobs for veterans who are quali¿ed and have priority status. • Vocational rehabilitation services through VAC allow veterans to gain assistance with identifying and procuring a career path upon releasing. This includes assistance with tuition and books if further education is required. • Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) is a not-forpro¿t organization that helps veterans ¿nd employment in the construction industry. • The Military Employment Transition (MET)
program offers a range of services to military professionals and their spouses seeking civilian sector employment. • Entrepreneurial efforts are encouraged for veterans who wish to start their own business. The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program offers those motivated aid with education, mentoring, ¿nancing and more.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
There are a variety of ¿nancial assistance programs in place for veterans, each with its own set of criteria and degree of support. Some of these programs determine eligibility based on ¿nancial need while others exist to support those with disabilities or injuries.