AFP Newsletter - Summer 2019

Armed Forces Pensioners’ / Annuitants’ Association of Canada Issue #33 • July 2019 T he CFOne card is the one card you need to access pro- grams and services delivered by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. The CFOne card consolidates the functions of several cards into a single card. It easily and accurately confirms your member- ship within the Canadian military community of one million strong and provides you with access to both the CANEX Rewards Program (the program that rewards you for shopping at CANEX) and the CF Appreciation Program (the official discount program of the Canadian Armed Forces community). In the future, it will also be the one card to access PSP programs and services, messes, specialty interest activities and more. The CFOne card replaces the CANEX ClubXTra card and the CF Appreciation card. Although the CFOne merges the cards, please note that the CANEX & CF Appreciation program are still separate entities. One of the most significant benefits available to CFOne card- holders is Air Canada’s enhanced baggage allowance, available when- ever CFOne cardholders travel on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or Air Canada Express. Eligible active and retired members of the Canadian military are entitled to up to three pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb) each. The allowance applies to both personal and duty travel. After completing check-in, eligible customers are invited to see an airport agent to have their baggage fee waived, upon presenta- tion of the CFOne card plus photo identification. Veterans are reminded to carry their CFOne card at all times so as not to miss out on any benefit opportunities. To obtain a CFOne card, please visit https://www. cfmws.com/en/ourservices/cfone/ pages/beforeyoubegin.aspx or call 1-855-245-0330. To request a replacement card, one can call the same telephone number or send an email to cf1fc@cfmws.com provid- ing name, CFOne card number and date of birth. For a full description of the benefits available to CFOne cardholders, visit https://www. cfmws.com/en/OurServices/CFOne/ AboutCFOne/Documents/Discover_ the_benefits_Mar2017_%20EN.pdf CFOne Card Benefits P ension for Life is a new collec- tion of flexible benefits under the New Veterans Charter (aka Veterans Well-being Act) designed to help veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members living with a service-related injury or illness make the best decisions for their specific needs. The plan offers the opportunity to choose which type of compensation is most appropri- ate for the veteran and his/her fam- ily, combining financial recogni- tion of pain and suffering, income replacement and an array of other wellness services and programs to help veterans successfully transition to life after service. It does not alter any monthly disability allowance that may have been awarded to veterans prior to 2006 under the Pension Act. Any CAF veteran who is experi- encing pain and suffering due to a disability from a service-related ill- ness or injury can now choose be- tween monthly and lump-sum, tax- free payment options. Additional pain and suffering compensation is also available for those with severe and permanent impairment who are encountering barriers to transi- tioning to life after service. Those who are experiencing barriers to re-establishment that result mostly from service related disability, can receive monthly in- come support thanks to the Income Replacement Benefit. It is available to veterans, survivors and orphans, for life, should it be needed. This benefit is taxable because it replac- es income that would have been earned should an injury or illness related to your service not have oc- curred. Those eligible may receive up to $20,000 in employment earn- ings per year before any reductions would be made to their Income Replacement Benefit. All three benefits of Pension for Life, including the Pain and Suffering Compensation, Income Replacement Benefit, and the Ad- ditional Pain and Suffering Com- pensation, are now available, with online forms obtainable at My VAC Account for the Pension for Life programs. Alternatively, veterans may visit a local VAC area office or call 1-866-522-2122. Please note that those already receiving benefits from VAC do not Pension for Life information