Oil Can said:
To continue this conversation...
-to answer a few more of your questions; 2 SCAN seminars and multiple briefings haven't dealt with much in the SISIP world. I found that reading through their website at http://www.sisip.com/en/Insurance_e/ltd_e.asp helped. Let me say that some of the SCAN information on SISIP was not accurate at all. SISIP employs ex-military members and to my disappointment it seems their priority is the company before the client. My case is not a difficult one, Military, VAC approved my benefits right away. The delay seems to be a systemic company problem.
You are preaching to the choir brother, I totally hear ya and agree. In fact, I believe I heard a wise man once say…
the 48th regulator said:
Remember, SISIP has nothing to do with the military, other than provide insurance. It is a private company.
Oil Can said:
-Case manager I believe was the terminology used, however she called herself Area Counselor for the area I live in.
Oil Can said:
Here is what I have done with SISIP:
- called the area counselor, and kept a detail list of all calls times, dates, etc.
It is semantics. However, when we start associating a private company, with terms used by a government body, it begins to cloud the minds of the client: the soldier. It legitimizes their actions, when in fact they are a private company.
And a company that has found a goose that keeps laying the golden egg.....
A pet peeve of mine, sorry about that.
Oil Can said:
-DCSM was approached and honestly they were helpful. The case was pushed to a new area in Casualty and Support benefits called the "CF Center". They are now only standing up, but over the next year it seems numerous positions are being created. If anyone has problems with access to benefits DCBA has allot of information and phone numbers for the Center.
No offence, but, where did you get that information? The Centre has been around since 1999, and has always been part of DCSM.
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/cen/atc-slc/index-eng.asp
About The Centre
The Centre is a unique interdepartmental initiative that began in April 1999. It was designed to bring the efforts of both the Department of National Defence (DND) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) together in a cooperative venture to provide information and services to ill and injured members, veterans and their families. The Canadian Forces (CF), DND and VAC have a continuing concern for the manner in which they care for these military members and families who have served our country.
The Centre's main Headquarters is located in Ottawa, but Regional Detachments, Peer Support Coordinators and Volunteers are employed throughout Canada. In total The Centre, is over 120 people strong, with less than half of that number based in Ottawa. Spreading out our resources ensures that we are able to provide more direct support to Clients.
The Centre's Director is a member of the Canadian Forces who reports to the Director General Personnel And Family Support Services and has a collaborative relationship with the VAC Director of CF Services in Charlottetown, P.E.I, as well as the VAC Manager located at The Centre in Ottawa.
To speak with a representative please call 1-800-883-6094 / Mon - Fri 08h00 to 17h00 EST. All calls are Confidential. Voicemail will be responded to during the same day and/or by the next business day.
Oil Can said:
- VAC has been good, and one award has been received and another is pending. Their VIP program is excellent. If you want more info here is the site>> http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=services/vip . VAC have been very helpful and if you have concerns after any cat-3 release call them. You will have to apply in person or by mail for the VIP program! You will be assigned a counselor that will help walk you through THEIR process of attaining additional benefits.
A few corrections.
When you have any sort of a question with regards to benefits you are entitled to you call the following numbers
General Inquiries
All questions or comments on your VAC services and benefits may be directed to the following toll-free number:
1-866-522-2122 (English)
1-866-522-2022 (French)
You will speak to a National Contact Centre Network (NCCN) who are trained to answer most basic question, or proceed to direct you to your local VAC office. If you are directed to such an of an Area Counselor is assigned to you. The new approach at VAC is Case Management, where the idea is they are to follow through from beginning to disengagement.
The VIP program, can be initiated by phone. All paperwork, of course, must be signed which will come in the mail. The only time you would do anything in person, is if an appointment is initiated by VAC. However, with modern technology, there is no need.
Further to that, do not show up unannounced, that will get you absolutely no where, other than red flagged in the system. Trust me, a little birdie told me….
Oil Can said:
- the base padre informed me that their services are only for serving members, not retired.
Really eh, what base was this? It goes contrary to what was said in the meeting I attended, oh lemme see... last Friday Morning in Borden.
Oil Can said:
A few other areas that DID NOT go as per SCAN seminars are; a) be prepared to wait over 4 even 5 months for your pension. In some cases my friend (a retired B.Gen) has waited 6 months now and in my case severance took more than 6 weeks. b) income splitting now applies only after your final release date so DON'T cash in any RRSPs until you are officially retired if you don't wait your tax bill will be substantially higher, c) If you where medically released remember to apply for VIP VAC program, it is not automatic and you only have a few months after release to apply, if you forget it may be difficult to get on.
d) SISIP takes months and as you may have already noted be prepared to turn up the pester factor by calling on a weekly basis. I am running +8 months and counting. I will let you know what happens when I hear something.
I was with you up until this part, in red.
c) If you where medically released remember to apply for VIP VAC program, it is not automatic
and you only have a few months after release to apply, if you forget it may be difficult to get on.
May I ask, where you can present a link to this information. If it is someone within Veterans Affairs, feel free to PM me a name, as we do not want have someones good name out in the forums. You do not have a set time limit, and the difficulty has nothing to do with timing of application, due to forgetfulness.
Oil Can said:
If you have constructive help I am all ears (or eyes). Remember the Military pot has many handles, and anyone can miss the right handle first time. Keep trying and share your experiences it may benefit someone else.
Here the bit of advice I will give. I will give you a big BZ with your enthusiasm to help. You can tell there is a passion. However, I will say this. Unless you have the facts, please stop passing on Anecdotal evidence, Myths, Urban legends, and stories you hear from some guy who sat next to a fella in the corner of the local legion.
The facts are in black and white, available, when you release. If you, for whatever reason do not get the right info, the internet is a magical thing. DND, and VAC have gone through the ringer, and rightfully so for their deplorable treatment of the injured. Bu I will say this, they have been making the effort.
When you pass on false, or assumed information, you end up hurting the injured troop, their family, and a system that is trying to make right from wrong.
Hope that helps. Now to trudge on with some more….
Oil Can said:
Mr Eye in the Sky:
Advice is cheap but here are a few pointers I would like to add after reviewing your initial post.
Get a copy of your complete Medical file prior to release, if you don't have the time to go to the MIR or base hospital use the Access to information (personal) act and get them to send a copy. Be prepared to wait though, AIA may take more than a few months depending on the length of your file and who you know that can push buttons. Mine took 3 weeks but that is very rare, and yes I pushed a few buttons.
Wrong. Prior to release, you go to your BOR. Absolutely no where else, as you will be directed right back to them. You will be wasting your time going any other way, trust me on this one, I say again TRUST ME ON THIS ONE. You will not be waiting for Months, the BOR, must provide a copy immediately, and they will give you an exact day they are to complete making a photocopy for you. You BOR makes the copy, no one else.
The only time, you would use the ATI is after you have released,
I will admit this, as my mind is not good, but there is a time limit that DND holds those docs until they are sent to the National Archive. I will ask that someone can help us on that one.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/A-1
Oil Can said:
The representatives at SCAN are helpful, however remember that their responses are "canned" and often Black and white. Get their business cards and ask questions in person or over the phone. Be prepared to hear what they aren't saying (no I'm not being evasive). Sometimes statements like "your application may take a little longer" may mean 6 months or far more.
Get yourself on a temp/permanent Med category. This may have already been done? Ask the doctor for a copy of his/her recommendation report! Next go see a DVA rep and initiate a claim through them. You may reconsider waiting an additional # of years on hold in the military. The DVA VIP program (link above) has a salary compensation/education/retraining package you may qualify for. Check with them, it is a second "catch net" for those whom fall through the system cracks. I have had to wait over 3 years for some applications but sometimes the wait can be worth it.
Oilcan, man, I cannot comment on any of this gobbled gook. Let me just cut and paste an answer from above….
Here the bit of advice I will give. I will give you a big BZ with your enthusiasm to help. You can tell there is a passion. However, I will say this. Unless you have the facts, please stop passing on Anecdotal evidence, Myths, Urban legends, and stories you hear from some guy who sat next to a fella in the corner of the local legion.
On thing I will advise is this:
If you have ever been injured while on duty, esure that a CF98 has been filled out!
http://www.dnd.ca/centre/engraph/cf_98_e.asp?subject=1
Oil Can said:
Finally don't take NO for an answer. As it was already point out here, it's your money. Don't be afraid to call DCBA (Directorate for Casualty and Benefit Administration) they usually call back quickly, or The CF Center for Casualty and benefit support. I have seen them turn NO into yes. Even CF Ombudsman decisions have been circumvented or reversed. If you want phone numbers PM me I don't mind helping out.
You mean this mysterious number…..
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/cen/atc-slc/index-eng.asp
To speak with a representative please call 1-800-883-6094 / Mon - Fri 08h00 to 17h00 EST. All calls are Confidential. Voicemail will be responded to during the same day and/or by the next business day.
As I said, the internet is a marvelous thing..
Oh man I am tired now...
dileas
tess
