Canada Pension Settlement 2024 The Federal Court of Canada has recently authorized a landmark $817 million settlement, effectively concluding a long-running class-action lawsuit The lawsuit, which focused on the underpayment of disability pensions, involved veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and their survivors.
This case was initiated by a group of representative plaintiffs, including Dennis Manuge, Raymond Toth, Betty Brousse, Brenton MacDonald, Jean-Francois Pelletier, and David White, who argued that Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) had miscalculated disability benefits by failing to properly adjust them for inflation.
As a result, veterans and their families received significantly lower payments than they were entitled to over two decades.
Who is Eligible to Claim the Settlement?
The settlement extends to current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as their spouses and dependents To qualify for the settlement, individuals must.
have received disability pensions, disability awards, or other related benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) since January 1, 2003 Additionally, these benefits must have been affected by the annual adjustments made to the basic pension The settlement period spans from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2023.
How Many People Are Affected by the Settlement?
This settlement will impact over 330,000 individuals, making it one of the largest class-action settlements in Canadian history Those affected include current and former CAF and RCMP members, as well as their spouses and dependents who have been impacted by the miscalculation of disability pension benefits.
Settlement Terms and Compensation Details
Under the terms of the settlement, each eligible class member will receive a one-time payment This amount will represent roughly 2% of the total disability benefits they received during the specified period from 2003 to 2023.
The total payout, which ranges from $435 million to $817 million, will depend on the number of claims that are processed and validated.
Automatic Payments and Requirements for Claim Submission
For those who are currently receiving disability pensions from Veterans Affairs Canada, the settlement payments will be made automatically This ensures that these individuals will not need to take any further action to receive.
their compensation However, individuals who are not currently receiving benefits must submit a claim form to be eligible for the settlement.
Key Deadlines and Final Approval Hearing
Those eligible for the settlement need to be aware of important deadlines to ensure they receive their compensation While individuals currently receiving disability pensions will automatically be compensated, others must submit a claim form by March 19, 2025.
The final approval hearing for the settlement took place on December 18, 2023, where the Federal Court reviewed and confirmed the fairness of the settlement for all class members.
How to Submit a Claim for the VA Disability Pension Settlement
To file a claim for the VA Disability Pension settlement, follow these steps.
- Visit the official Veterans Affairs Canada website to access the claim form.
- Complete the form by entering your personal information, service details, and any documentation that supports your eligibility and the amount of benefits received, such as pension documents and benefit statements.
- Carefully read all instructions provided with the claim form.
- Fill out the form accurately, ensuring that all required fields are completed.
- Attach clear and legible copies of the necessary documents.
- Double-check the form for accuracy and completeness before submitting.
- After submitting your claim, you will receive a confirmation of receipt, either electronically or by mail.
- The claims processing team will review your submission, determine your eligibility, and calculate the amount of your settlement payment.
Due to the large number of expected claims, the processing of submissions may take some time Be patient and check for updates through the official settlement website Once your claim is processed and approved, you will receive your settlement payment.
This settlement marks a significant milestone in addressing the underpayment of disability pensions for Canadian veterans and their families, ensuring fair compensation for those who were affected.
