Medical Travel Grant

The Medical Travel Grant provides financial support to Canadian Armed Forces members for their eligible family members who must travel a minimum of 100 km outside of the local area to access specialized medical or dental care, or other recommended treatment not available locally. The program helps reduce the financial burden of medical emergencies, recurring appointments, and travel to and from required healthcare services. 

Eligible expenses may include low milage, , modest meals, long-term parking, tolls, accommodations and airfare, depending on the location and nature of the appointment. This support helps CAF members access essential care for their family member(s) when it is not available in their home community. 

Grant maximum: $1,500 per person per Fiscal Year 

Regular and Reserve Force Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members for their eligible family member(s) as indicated on their MPRR. 

Medical Travel supports a child or spouse requiring travel to medical or dental services located at least 100 km from their primary residence. Support may include one accompanying caregiver or spouse, when required. 

Applicants may qualify for the Medical Travel Grant when: 

• The required service is not available locally, or the family’s home location lacks the specialized medical/dental care recommended by a physician or medical professional. 

• Travel is medically required or recommended by a licensed healthcare provider. 

• The service or specialist being accessed is not otherwise available through local CAF resources, community services, or existing benefit programs (e.g., Canada Life). 

​The applicant provides:  

• MPRR 

• Doctor’s note or medical recommendation/referral, 

• Confirmation of appointment date(s) 

• Detailed receipts 

Submit an Application 

• Applicants complete the Support Our Troops Medical Travel Grant form. 

Attach the following supporting documentation: 

• MPRR

• Doctor’s note ormedical recommendation/referral ,  

• Confirmation of appointment date(s),  

• Copy of detailed receipt(s) for applicable eligible expenses such as meals, long-term parking, tolls, accommodations and airfare.   

Eligible Medical Travel Expenses: 

• Low mileage (calculated by SOT using National Joint Council Low Kilometric Rates) 

• Meals (Note: tips and alcohol are not eligible expenses) 

• Long-term parking (weekly/monthly) and/or toll fees  

• Accommodations (hotel, AirBNB, or emergency accommodations) 

• Airfare (up to $500 per family), depending on the location and nature of the appointment 

• Include VOID cheque or banking information (must be CAF member’s or joint with CAF member). 

• Applications must be submitted within the current fiscal year, ideally within 30 days of travel or appointment. 

Decision and Notification:

• Applications are reviewed centrally by Support Our Troops Headquarters. 

Outcomes include:  

• Approved, 

• Denied, or 

• More Information Required (missing or incomplete information will cause delay). 

Grant Disbursement:

• Approved applicants receive reimbursement for eligible expenses according to established grant limits and rates. 

• Reimbursements are processed as an electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly to the member’s bank account, once approval is finalized. 

The Medical Travel Grant provides support within the following guidelines: 

• Expenses must be directly related to required travel for medical/dental services at least 100 km from the primary residence. 

• Eligible Medical Travel expenses are for a patient (child or spouse) plus one accompanying caregiver or spouse, when required. 

All costs must fall within program limits, including maximum allowable rates for:  

• Low mileage at the National Joint Council Low Kilometric RateModest meals determined by detailed receipts or National Joint Council Meal Allowances, whichever is less 

• Long-term parking (weekly/monthly) and/or toll fees 

• Accommodations (including hotels, AirBNB, or emergency accommodations) 

• Airfare (up to $500 per family), depending on the location and nature of the appointment 

• Receipts are required for all eligible expenses. 

• Meal reimbursements must match appointment dates. 

• Mileage claims require the starting point to be the family’s primary residence and must match the appointment location. 

The program cannot reimburse:  

• Lost income 

• Childcare 

• Non-medical travel 

• The grant supports reasonable and modest expenses only (e.g., standard hotel rooms, basic meal costs).