Programs that provide assistance for veterans who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law based on service to their country. The programs may help veterans understand the eligibility criteria for benefits and services, the benefits and services provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits and services application forms; negotiate on their behalf with Veteran Affairs Canada staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are veteran rights organizations that offer a range of advocacy services (such as the Royal Canadian Legion's Command Service Officers, who are legislatively mandated to assist both Legion members and non-members) as well as legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

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Programs that provide resume preparation assistance, career counselling, vocational assessment, job development, job training, job search, job placement and/or other services for unemployed veterans who need assistance re-entering the workforce. Veteran employment programs may be configured for recently separated veterans, homeless veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities and other special populations or may be broadly available to veterans in general.

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A program administered by Veterans Affairs Canada that provides regular monthly payments to compensate individuals who have service-related medical disabilities and who are either a Canadian Forces Veteran or a Merchant Navy Veteran of the First or Second World War or the Korean War; a current or former member of the Regular or Reserve Force; or a civilian who served in close support of the Armed Forces during wartime. Pension entitlement is based solely on the severity of the disability and the relationship between the disability and military service. Additional monthly allowances and attendance care allowances are provided to pensioners who are exceptionally incapacitated in whole or in part by their pensioned disability. When a disability pensioner dies, the surviving spouse may receive the same pension for a period of one year, after which a survivor's pension will automatically be paid. Applications can be made directly to Veterans Affairs or to a service officer of the Royal Canadian Legion or another veterans' organization.

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Programs that are designed to help clients of Veterans Affairs Canada maintain their independence and quality of life by facilitating their ability to continue to live at home. Benefits may include medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations, supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment and other community health care services and benefits. Extended treatment benefits such as prescription drugs are available for pensioners with disabilities.

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Mutual support groups whose members were previously affiliated with one of the branches of the armed forces, their families and friends. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; may focus on former prisoners of war, veterans of specific wars, e.g., the Gulf War, women who are veterans or other specific veteran populations; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes and put their lives back together if they have been troubled by homelessness, disability, substance abuse, depression or other issues related to their service to the country.

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Programs that provide confidential assistance for military personnel and veterans who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem. Trained staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text. Most military/veteran hotlines are also available to family members who are concerned about a loved one.

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Programs whose members are veterans who have joined together on a voluntary basis to promote mutual interests. Activities may include advocacy for the preservation and expansion of earned privileges and benefits, testimony before legislative bodies on issues affecting veterans, awards and other measures for promoting appreciation of and recognition for veterans and their accomplishments, community service programs, and social activities for members. Some organizations may provide active support for the democratic principles of religious and political freedom; offer benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, credit cards and financial planning services for members; or maintain special burial funds to help indigent veterans and their families.

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