Different definitions of “full-time student” were at the heart of a recent Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) decision to deny a Veteran an additional disability pension for his child who is attending university. The student has special needs, and in September 2015 reduced his course load to two courses totalling six hours a week.
The university considers this a full-time course load for a student with special needs. In contrast, VAC requires that a student take a minimum of three courses totalling nine hours per week to be considered full time. VAC turned down the application because the child no longer qualified under the “Children Following a Course of Instruction” policy even though that policy states, “Full time shall be as defined by the institution.”
The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO) intervened and was able to clarify the case and ensure the necessary documentation was completed and submitted to VAC. VAC responded the same day and reinstated benefits effective January 1, 2016. The Veteran was “very pleased with the service” the OVO provided.