Health, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Accessing treatment, rehabilitation services, mental health support, and health coverage after release.
Orientation
Accessing treatment, rehabilitation services, mental health support, and health coverage after release.
Who this hub may help
Common situations that lead someone here
- You need treatment for a service-related condition
- You are exploring rehabilitation options
- You need mental health support
- You are navigating health coverage after release
Boundary: VANCA helps you understand what may be available. Health professionals and VAC determine treatment coverage and rehabilitation plans.
Most Useful Starting Points
Recommended pages
Relevant tools
Related Programs
SISIP Long Term Disability (LTD)
LTD
Verified: 2026-07-18
Departmental Review / VRAB Review and Appeal
Verified: 2026-07-18
Critical Injury Benefit
Verified: 2026-07-18
Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS)
CFIS
Verified: 2026-07-18
Veteran Emergency Fund
Verified: 2026-07-18
Education and Training Benefit (ETB)
ETB
Verified: 2026-07-18
What Usually Happens Next?
What Usually Happens Next?
- 1
Explore the recommended starting points
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Review program cards and guides
- 2
Gather relevant documents
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Use the document checklist
Document Checklist - 3
Review related programs
Responsible: Responsible organizations
Possible following step: Check eligibility criteria
- 4
Contact the responsible organization or request support
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Submit applications or ask questions
This sequence is educational. The actual process depends on the responsible organization's decision. Approval is not an inevitable next step.
Decision Tree
I need treatment, equipment or health-related travel
Treatment coverage depends on VAC eligibility, recognized conditions, and the applicable Program of Choice.
What type of treatment or support do you need?
Verified Timelines
SISIP / CAF LTD — Application Deadline
DeadlineApply no later than 120 days after release
Application is encouraged at disclosure or before release. Apply no later than 120 days after release.
Starts when: Release date
Responsible: SISIP / Manulife
Source checked: 2026-07-26
SISIP / CAF LTD — Income Benefit
Benefit periodPayable only after release
CAF LTD income benefit is payable only after release. Final calculation depends on receipt of final release details.
Starts when: Release date
Responsible: SISIP / Manulife
Source checked: 2026-07-26
CAF Pension — Initial Direct Deposit
Service standardUp to 45 calendar days after release
The published standard is initial direct deposit within 45 calendar days after release once the Pension Centre has all required documentation.
Starts when: All required documentation received by the Pension Centre
Some files take longer. Time spent gathering documentation may not be included.
While waiting: Confirm all required documents are submitted and banking information is correct.
Responsible: CAF
Source checked: 2026-07-26
PSHCP and PDSP — Application Window
DeadlineApply within 60 days after release
Applying within 60 days after release where eligible may preserve applicable continuous or retroactive coverage.
Starts when: Release date
Coverage setup may take up to approximately three months.
Responsible: CAF / Treasury Board
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Disability First Application or Reassessment
Decision aimed for within
16 weeks
How long does VAC aim to take?
Veterans Affairs Canada aims to issue a decision on a complete first disability-benefit application within 16 weeks, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once complete application and necessary documents received. VAC considers the application complete and has the required information.
Some files take longer. Time spent gathering evidence may not be included. Complex cases and evidence gathering may take longer.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 47 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 16 weeks.
Approximately 53 out of every 100 took longer than 16 weeks.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
While waiting
Ensure all required documents and evidence are included with the application.
How this was measured
The published target is that 80% of applications receive a decision within 16 weeks.The annual result covers the 2024-25 reporting period.
Official source
VAC Service Standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
VAC Departmental Review — Disability Decision
Service standard12 weeks
The published service standard is 12 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Request for Departmental Review received
Complex cases and evidence gathering may take longer.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation
Service standard16 weeks
The published service standard is 16 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application and necessary documents received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Rehabilitation Eligibility
Service standard2 weeks
The published service standard is 2 weeks for the eligibility decision.
Starts when: Complete application received
The decision timeline is different from the time needed to arrange assessments, providers and actual services.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Income Replacement Benefit and Canadian Forces Income Support
Service standard4 weeks
The published service standard is 4 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Career Transition Services
Service standard4 weeks
The published service standard is 4 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Education and Training Benefit
Service standardUp to 4 weeks per stage; up to 8 weeks total
Each complete application stage takes up to 4 weeks. The two-stage process (eligibility plus education/training plan) may total up to 8 weeks.
Starts when: Complete application received
Applications may be submitted before release, but VAC does not process them until official release or transfer to the Supplementary Reserve. VAC does not recommend submitting more than six months before release.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
CPP Disability
Service standardWithin 120 calendar days after application
The published target is a decision within 120 calendar days after application, with faster priority processing in defined situations.
Starts when: Application received
Responsible: Service Canada
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Disability Tax Credit
Decision aimed for within
8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201
How long does CRA aim to take?
the Canada Revenue Agency aims to issue a Disability Tax Credit decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once cra receives form t2201.
The standard does not apply where CRA must request additional information.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 38 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
Approximately 62 out of every 100 took longer than 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
Recent update
During June 2026, approximately 89 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
The annual number covers the full 2024-25 fiscal year. The June 2026 number covers one month, so the two periods should not be treated as identical.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
Official source
CRA — Disability Tax Credit application process and service standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
Bureau of Pensions Advocates
Service standardWithin 21 weeks from first contact
The published standard is that the case is ready for hearing within 21 weeks from first contact.
Starts when: First contact with BPA
Excluding delays obtaining required evidence.
Responsible: BPA
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Post-Release Transition Phase
Planning windowRelease date through two years after release
The official medical-release transition framework describes the post-release phase as extending through the first two years.
Responsible: DND/CAF
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Common Mistakes
Treating VAC and CAF LTD as one program.
Not keeping the policy, approval and calculation letters.
Failing to report CPP-D, pension, VAC or employment changes.
Starting work or training without understanding plan consequences.
Missing an appeal deadline.
Assuming a payment reduction means total household income increased or decreased by the same amount.
Writing only that the decision is unfair.
Not identifying the exact error or missing evidence.
Using reassessment evidence to challenge an old decision without clarifying the issue.
Missing the deadline.
Submitting duplicate records with no explanation.
Assuming a departmental review includes an oral hearing.
Trying to present every life event instead of the disputed legal and factual issues.
Submitting unexplained medical records.
Giving testimony outside personal knowledge.
Waiting too long to contact BPA.
Assuming an appeal guarantees a different result.
Treating judicial review as another ordinary appeal.
Focusing only on permanent disability instead of the immediate acute impact.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Failing to identify one sudden incident.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Using later symptoms without documenting the immediate severe impairment.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Assuming other VAC awards prove CIB eligibility.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Missing operational reports, hospitalization records or intensive-care evidence.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Medical Treatment Document Checklist
These documents may help you access treatment coverage. Not every document is needed for every situation.
Coverage documents
VAC entitlement letter
Always requiredShows which conditions are entitled.
Treatment authorization
Sometimes helpfulShows approved treatment coverage.
PSHCP coverage confirmation
Sometimes helpfulShows health coverage status.
Treatment records
Treatment plan from clinician
Always requiredShows recommended treatment.
Treatment progress notes
Always requiredShows ongoing treatment.
Prescription records
Sometimes helpfulShows medication history.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Store sensitive records securely and share them only through an approved method with the organization that requires them.