The Veterans Disability Pension is a tax-free monthly payment from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for an illness or injury linked to your service. Today it mainly goes to current and former RCMP members, Second World War and Korean War Veterans, and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who applied before April 1, 2006. At the full 100% rate, a single pensioner gets $3,513.48 a month in 2026.
Most other CAF members and Veterans now get Pain and Suffering Compensation under Pension for Life instead. It is paid on the same dates.
How much you’ll get (2026 rates)
Your pension depends on two things VAC decides: how much your condition is related to your service (your entitlement), and how severe it is (your assessment). The result puts you in a class. Class 1 is the full 100% rate. There are extra monthly amounts if you have a spouse or common-law partner, or dependent children.
| Class | Single | Extra for spouse | First child | Second child | Each other child |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (100%) | $3,513.48 | $878.37 | $456.75 | $333.78 | $263.51 |
| 5 | $2,810.78 | $702.70 | $365.40 | $267.03 | $210.81 |
| 10 | $1,932.41 | $483.10 | $251.21 | $183.58 | $144.93 |
| 15 | $1,054.04 | $263.51 | $137.03 | $100.13 | $79.05 |
| 20 (lowest) | $175.67 | $43.92 | $22.84 | $16.69 | $13.18 |
These are monthly amounts from January 1, 2026. VAC’s full rate tables list all 20 classes.
Examples
- A retired RCMP member at class 1 with a spouse and one child gets $3,513.48 + $878.37 + $456.75 = $4,848.60 a month, tax-free.
- A single Veteran at class 10 gets $1,932.41 a month.
Some pensioners with severe disabilities also get extra allowances on top. In 2026, the top rates are $1,859.93 a month for the Exceptional Incapacity Allowance, $2,324.88 for the Attendance Allowance and $263.46 for the Clothing Allowance. VAC decides who qualifies and at which grade.
Who qualifies
You may get a Disability Pension if you have a diagnosed medical condition or disability that is related to your service, and one of these applies:
- You are a current or former member of the RCMP, regular or civilian.
- You served with the CAF in the Second World War or the Korean War.
- You served with the CAF at another time and applied for disability benefits before April 1, 2006.
- You are an eligible survivor or dependant of a pensioner. Call VAC to check your case.
If you are a CAF member or Veteran who didn’t apply before April 1, 2006, you would apply for the same disability benefit, but you’d be paid Pain and Suffering Compensation.
How to apply
- Online: sign in to My VAC Account and use the guided disability benefits form.
- By mail: fill in form PEN-923 and send it to Veterans Affairs Canada, PO Box 6000, Matane QC G4W 0E4.
- In person: drop the form off at a VAC office, a CAF Transition Centre or a Service Canada office.
You can get free help filling in the form from VAC staff (1-866-522-2122), a Service Officer at the Royal Canadian Legion, or the War Amps of Canada. Set up direct deposit in My VAC Account so payments go straight to your bank.
What changed in 2026
- VAC rates, including the Disability Pension, were indexed on January 1, 2026. The class 1 single rate is $3,513.48 a month for 2026.
- Budget 2025 proposed that, from January 1, 2027, the RCMP Disability Pension be indexed to the Consumer Price Index only. The government said this change would not affect the amounts CAF Veterans receive.
- The next yearly increase is due in January 2027. The 2027 rates and payment dates have not been published.
Payment late, missing or different?
VAC pays near the end of each month, usually on the second-last business day. The exact dates are in the calendar at the top of this page. Canada.ca’s general advice is to wait 5 to 10 business days before contacting the program.
First check with your bank. Then check My VAC Account, or call VAC at 1-866-522-2122 (French 1-866-522-2022; TDD/TTY 1-833-921-0071), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. From the United States, call 1-888-996-2242.
Common reasons a payment is late or different:
- Your bank account or address changed and VAC wasn’t told.
- Your assessment was reviewed, which moved you to a different class.
- Your family situation changed, such as a child no longer counting as a dependant, which changes the extra amounts.
- January payments rise with the yearly indexing.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for fees, gift cards or passwords by text or email. If you’re unsure whether a message is real, call VAC at the number above.
If you are struggling, the VAC Assistance Service is free and open 24 hours a day at 1-800-268-7708.
Other help you might be missing
- VAC Pension for Life: Pain and Suffering Compensation, Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation and the Income Replacement Benefit for CAF Veterans.
- CPP and CPP disability: separate from VAC, if you paid into the Canada Pension Plan.
- Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement: from 65.
- Federal public service pensions: if you also get a pension from your RCMP, CAF or public service career, check its own dates.
- Canada Disability Benefit: if you are 18 to 64, have the Disability Tax Credit and a low income.
Common questions
Is the veterans disability pension taxable?
No. The Disability Pension is tax-free, so you don’t report it on your tax return.
What is the difference between the Disability Pension and Pain and Suffering Compensation?
Both pay for a service-related condition. The Disability Pension goes to RCMP members, Second World War and Korean War Veterans and CAF members who applied before April 1, 2006. It is monthly only and adds amounts for dependants. Other CAF members and Veterans get Pain and Suffering Compensation, which can be monthly or a lump sum.
How much is the 100% veterans disability pension in 2026?
$3,513.48 a month for a single person at class 1, plus $878.37 for a spouse and extra for each child.
When does the VAC disability pension get paid?
Near the end of each month, usually on the second-last business day. December’s payment comes earlier, before the holidays.
Can RCMP members get a VAC disability pension?
Yes. Serving and former regular and civilian RCMP members apply to VAC for a Disability Pension for a service-related condition.