Veterans: Before You Sign Away Part of Your VAC Award, Read This

As many of you know, I recently released from the Canadian Armed Forces after more than 23 years of service as a Reserve Force officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre. Like many veterans, I’ve spent a fair bit of time navigating the Veterans Affairs Canada benefits available to me and the application processes over the past several months.

Through that experience, I’ve learned that many parts of the process are far more straightforward than many veterans are led to believe.

That’s why I want to encourage fellow veterans and serving members to carefully consider their options before signing a contract with a company that charges a percentage of your successful VAC award. Some of them disguise themselves to look like non profit support organizations with names like “Help for Veterans”.

To put things into perspective, a 20% Pain and Suffering Compensation assessment is worth approximately $92,000 as a lump-sum payment in 2026.

If a company charges a percentage, they stand to take a lot for very little work.

• 10% = $9,200
• 20% = $18,400
• 30% = $27,600

For many claims, the actual application itself can be completed in a surprisingly short amount of time once you have your medical information available. In some cases, it may take less time to complete the application than it takes to read the contract that gives away a portion of your compensation.

I’m not suggesting that nobody should ever seek help. Some claims are complex. Some veterans and CAF members are overwhelmed by the process. Others may need assistance gathering records or understanding VAC requirements.

What I am saying is this: before you agree to give away thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, make sure you know that free help is available.

Consider reaching out to:

• Veterans Affairs Canada
• CAF Transition Centres
• Royal Canadian Legion Service Officers (you do not need to be a Legion member)
• The Bureau of Pension Advocates, for reviews and appeals

And if you’re a veteran who is feeling overwhelmed by the process, feel free to reach out to me. I am not a VAC expert, lawyer, or consultant, and I won’t charge you a dime. But I’ve recently spent a lot of time working through VAC benefit applications and learning how the system works. If I can point you toward resources, share what I’ve learned, or help you understand where to start, I’m happy to help.

There are also organizations that provide access to medicinal marijuana who will offer to assist with VAC claims, but you should never feel obligated to obtain a cannabis prescription just to get help with your VC benefits.

The compensation awarded by VAC exists to recognize the impact that service-related injuries and illnesses have had on veterans’ lives. That money is intended for veterans and their families.

Before you sign any agreement that gives someone a percentage of your award, take a few minutes to understand the process, explore the free resources available, and decide whether the fee is truly worth the cost.

Many veterans are more capable of navigating the process themselves than they realize.