Service Boundaries
VANCA helps Canadian Armed Forces veterans and families understand systems, options, paperwork, referrals, and next steps. VANCA's role is navigation, education, advocacy, and referral support.
What VANCA May Help With
- Understand benefit pathways
- Prepare questions before applying
- Organize information for applications
- Understand decision letters
- Identify possible review, appeal, reassessment, or reinstatement pathways
- Understand referral options
- Find plain-language resources
- Connect with community or partner organizations where appropriate
- Share lived experience for anonymized advocacy themes
What VANCA Does Not Provide
- Legal advice or legal representation
- Medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or clinical care
- Therapy, counselling, or crisis intervention
- Emergency response
- Financial planning, tax advice, accounting, or investment advice
- Housing placement
- Direct financial assistance
- Guaranteed outcomes with VAC, CRA, CPP-D, SISIP, VRAB, BPA, provincial programs, insurers, or service providers
Emergency or Crisis Needs
VANCA is not an emergency or crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, they should contact local emergency services or an appropriate crisis support service in their area.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical help, call 911.
For crisis support anywhere in Canada, call or text 988. Available 24/7.
VAC Assistance Service: 1-800-268-7708
Free and confidential psychological support, 24/7, 365 days a year, for veterans, former RCMP members, families, and caregivers. No VAC client status needed.
Referrals
VANCA may provide referral information when another organization or professional service is better suited to a person's needs. A referral resource does not mean VANCA controls or guarantees that service.