HALL RENTAL

Support for Veterans

Legion support for Veterans and their families is always free. You do not need to be a Legion member to access these services.

Legion Service Officers work with current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the RCMP, and their eligible family members, to help them deal with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) in claiming disability benefits under the Pension Act or the New Veterans Charter.

Legion Branch 351 volunteer Service Officers play a vital role. They listen, identify unmet needs, and guide Veterans and their families toward appropriate supports. Additionally, they connect people directly with Command Service Officers (provincial and national levels) for specialized assistance.

Attention Veterans! You may qualify for benefits!

Veterans, Current and Former Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, Spouses, Survivors and Dependents

You do not need to be a member of The Royal Canadian Legion to apply or to receive assistance from our Legion Service Officers. The Legion is here to assist you in completing claim forms through Veterans Affairs Canada, provide guidance on navigating potential benefits, and act as a referral agent for supports available to the Veteran Community. This assistance is free of charge, and all possibilities can be discussed.

We offer assistance to Veterans, Still Serving Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and/or their dependents to make you aware of and potentially obtain government support from Veterans Affairs Canada. You may not be receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled! That assistance can be sought through the Legion Service Bureau at no charge!

The Legion’s Definition of a Veteran

“A Veteran is any person who is serving or who has honourably served in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth or its wartime allies, or as a Regular Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or as a Peace Officer in a Special Duty Area or on a Special Duty Operation, or who has served in the Merchant Navy or Ferry Command during wartime.”

Service Officers

The Montgomery Branch Service Officer is available by appointment.

You can also contact the Zone G5 service officer.

CANADIAN VETERANS’ CRISIS LINE

1-800-268-7708 (TTY 1-800-567-5803)

National and Provincial Offices

National Office (Dominion Command)

We Care

The Legion Service Bureau Command Service Officers are here to serve Still Serving CF members, Veterans, RCMP Members and dependants while representing your interests in any dealings with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) in claiming disability benefits under the Pension Act or the New Veterans Charter.

Free Representation Services

The Legion’s Service Officers provide counselling, assistance and representational services free of charge, whether or not you are a Legion member. Our role as representatives is mandated by legislation.

Legion Service Delivery Model

The Dominion Executive Council (DEC) adopted a model of service delivery which recognizes that, because of the complexity of the current service delivery process within Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and the increasing reliance on such Information Technology (IT) tools as the Client Service Delivery Network (CSDN), the Legion Branch Service Officers should be “Referral Agents” for Command Service Officers who represent clients in their attempt to secure disability benefits from VAC.

Through its network of Branch Service Officers, who have operated across the country since 1926, the Legion Command Service Officers come into contact with potential applicants. The Branch Service Officers are the people who often first come into contact with Veterans, spouses and dependants. They are the eyes and ears of the Service Bureau Network at the grassroots.

All claims initiated by The Legion start with the completion of the Legion Claim Form. Careful completion of this form is of great assistance to the Command Service Officer who will represent the Veteran to initiate a disability claim. The RCL Claim Form should be completed as fully as possible, and all authorities must be signed. These authorities grant The Legion the right to act as the applicant’s representative and to review Service Health records and other documentation.

Call Us

If you require assistance in gaining access to VAC benefits, including Legion benevolent assistance, or if you have a friend or family member who needs help, please contact a Service Officer, or call the Dominion Command Toll Free Line: 1-877-534-4666 (1-877-Legion6).

Provincial (Ontario Command)

The services of the Provincial Service Officers are available to all Legion branches, Legion members, or ex-service personnel and/or their dependants. You need not be a member of the Legion to use the services of a Provincial Service Officer.

The Provincial Service Officers devote most of their time to disability pension claims and are actively involved in the preparation of these claims. They also appeal and defend against negative pension decisions.

Although the Provincial Service Officer is knowledgeable about other programs provided by Veterans Affairs (such as War Veterans Allowance, Treatment benefits and the Veterans Independence program), veterans and their dependants are routinely referred to Veterans Affairs to establish their eligibility for these programs.

Referrals to the appropriate Provincial Service Bureau should be made through your local Branch Service Officer / Veterans Services Chair, or the Provincial Service Bureau may be contacted directly.

Please consult the Ontario Command Service Officers page for more details.

Links of Interest