The evaluation of the Veterans Independence Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2015-20. The evaluation covers the time period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015, and was conducted between June 2015 and January 2016. The objective of the Program is to assist eligible recipients to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible by providing financial assistance towards services which support and promote independence and health. Depending on circumstances and health needs, the Program can contribute to services such as housekeeping, grounds maintenance, personal care, access to nutrition, and health and support services. When home care is no longer practical, the Program assists Veterans to remain in their communities through financial support for intermediate care in community facilities (i.e., nursing home care). The evaluation focused on the housekeeping and grounds maintenance components of the Program because: * these two components combine for 77% of total program expenditures; and * significant changes were made to the method of payment for these components during the period of the evaluation.

The purpose of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is to assist recipients in maintaining their independence through the provision of home and community care. As per the VIP Terms and Conditions, Veterans and other recipients in receipt of funding for VIP services must be contacted at least once annually to confirm the benefits are meeting the recipient’s needs. In January 2013, Canada Post, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and a third-party contractor became part of the Annual Follow-up and Survivor Renewal process. The objective of the audit was to assess the management control framework, the compliance with applicable policies and processes, and determine performance against the Annual Follow Up and Survivor Renewal service standard. The scope of this audit included all VIP Veterans and survivors due for follow-up or renewal between May 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

Since 1981, Veterans Affairs Canada has administered a community-based, national program to eligible Veterans, their families, and other primary care-givers. These services include home care, home adaptations, ambulatory health care, and intermediate nursing home care. Now known as the Veterans Independence Program, it offers self-managed care in co-operation with provinces and regional health authorities. The program allows eligible Veterans, their families, and other primary care-givers to focus on maintaining their health, independence, and their quality of life. Every effort is being made to integrate the Veterans Independence Program administration with provincial and local resources to ensure a cost-efficient choice of service is available and to avoid duplication of service delivery. Veterans Affairs Canada is responsible for setting up and amending the contribution arrangements while an external Contractor, Medavie Blue Cross, is responsible for processing the claims. In the Spring of 2011, Senior Management requested an audit of the Veterans Independence Program reimbursement process to identify opportunities to further improve the process. This audit builds off the results of a 2010 audit of Veterans Independence Program and is focused on a single objective to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the reimbursement process. The scope covered the period from November 2010 to April 2011.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides a wide range of health care benefits and services to eligible program recipients as specified under the authority of the Veterans Health Care Regulations. These entitlements are made available under the Treatment Benefits Program and Veterans Independence Program (VIP). The objective of these programs is to ensure program recipients are provided, according to their treatment eligibility, with reasonable and timely services that the Department considers to be an appropriate response to their assessed health needs. This audit was recommended for Deputy Minister approval by VAC’s Departmental Audit Committee on September 17, 2010. The objectives of the Federal Health Claims Processing System (FHCPS) Service Provider Audit were as follows: 1. To assess the adequacy of the service provider registration process; 2. To assess the adequacy of the requirements for service providers; 3. To determine compliance with service provider requirements; 4. To assess the efficiency of the appointment of service providers.

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) was introduced in 1981 to respond to an aging demographic Veteran population and to help reduce long-term care (LTC) bed waitlists by providing care to Veterans at home. The national Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) home care program assists qualified Veterans, still-serving Canadian Forces (CF) disability pensioners, surviving spouses/primary caregivers, and certain civilians to maintain their health, quality of life and independence in their own home for as long as possible. At the point where care in the home is no longer possible, the VIP will assist in providing care in long-term care facilities in the community of the Veteran. The VIP is not intended to duplicate or replace existing provincial/territorial or community services, but complements these programs to best meet the needs of Veterans. Under the VIP, a recipient may receive funds to help pay for: • ambulatory health care services (e.g., adult day programs); • access to nutrition (e.g., Meals on Wheels); • health and support services (e.g., nurses, occupational therapists); • personal care (e.g., bathing and dressing); • housekeeping (e.g., laundry, vacuuming, meal preparation); • grounds maintenance (e.g., grass cutting, snow removal); • social transportation (e.g., to activities, shopping, banking) • home adaptations; and • nursing home intermediate care. A goal of the evaluation was to provide timely and value added information to assist management and serve as a basis for decision-making regarding future program direction and design. The VIP evaluation team used multiple lines of evidence, including: statistical data, a literature review, research studies, survey results, file reviews, internal analysis reports, key informant interviews and peer reviews.

As part of the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of service delivery, a cyclical audit was conducted to review the activities of the Quebec District Office (DO), the management control framework and the information used for decision making purposes. The Quebec DO was selected based on criteria set by senior management. The objectives of the 2009-2010 audit are: * Examine the application and implementation of new delegated authorities for Area Counsellors (ACs) (Fall 2009); * Verify the efficiency of the delivery of the rehabilitation program and the integrity of internal controls over its adjudication; * Verify internal controls over the award and delivery of Veterans Independence Program’s (VIP) home care services to Canadian Forces (CF) Veterans; * Assess the adequacy of the management control framework for long term care (i.e. oversight, functional direction, reporting and internal controls). The audit focussed primarily on the implementation of the new delegation of authority at the Quebec DO and on delivery of the Rehabilitation, VIP and Long Term Care (LTC) Programs.

The evaluation of the Financial Benefits Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014-19. The program was last evaluated as part of an overall New Veterans Charter Evaluation in 2010-11. The Financial Benefits Program was established in 2006 under the authority of the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, with subsequent amendments expanding eligibility and adding programs. It provides economic support to eligible Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, survivors, and dependents in recognition of the economic impact that a career ending and/or service-related injury or death can have on a Veteran’s ability to earn income, advance in a career or save for retirement. As per Treasury Board Secretariat policy requirements and guidance, this evaluation examined the Financial Benefits Program’s relevance and performance. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

This evaluation of the Health Care Benefits and Services Program was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) approved multi-year, risk-based Evaluation Plan 2012-2017. The Health Care Benefits and Services Program, commonly referred to as the Treatment Benefits Program, provides Veteran recipients with access to extended health care. There are 14 benefits and services groups comprising a wide range of offerings. An overview of the benefits and services can be found in Appendix A. The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Program, and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policy requirements and related Treasury Board Secretariat guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

The Employee Compensation Audit was part of the 2009/2010 Veterans Affairs Canada Audit Plan approved by the Deputy Minister (DM). As part of the design process, a preliminary survey was conducted to determine the areas of pay that have the highest level of risk for the department. As a result, Regular pay, Overtime Pay and Acting Pay were included in the audit.

The Ex Gratia Payments Audit was recommended for inclusion in the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Internal Audit Plan 2010-2013 by VAC’s Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) on March 18, 2010. The purpose of the audit was to examine the adequacy of controls put in place for the processing of applications for ex gratia payments. The audit fieldwork was substantially completed on December 15, 2010. Ex gratia payments are one-time payments for a fixed duration of time and stringent pre-set eligibility and entitlement criteria are applied. In recent years, VAC has budgeted $135M for these programs. The majority of the work in this audit focused on the most recent payment, i.e., Agent Orange ex gratia payments. In September 2007, the Minister of Veterans Affairs announced a $20,000 ex gratia payment related to the testing of unregistered US military herbicides, including Agent Orange, at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in 1966 and 1967.