# 2018-075 Pay and Benefits, Home Equity Assistance Program

Case summary

F&R Date: 2019-12-19

The grievor purchased a residence and approximately one year later, requested a relocation for personal reasons. Due to an unfavourable market, he incurred a loss upon resale that was partially reimbursed through the Home Equity Assistance (HEA) benefit. The grievor requested an HEA policy review and compensation for his losses above the reimbursed amount.

The Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), stated that the grievor received the maximum amount of HEA in accordance with the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive in effect at the time of his move. The IA mentioned that a policy review was underway, but he did not have the authority to provide additional reimbursement and denied redress.

The Committee concluded that the grievor received the CFIRP benefits to which he was entitled. The Committee indicated that on 19 April 2018 the Canadian Armed Forces released Canadian Forces General Message 073/18, which increased the maximum HEA reimbursement under the Core component from $15,000.00 to $30,000.00. However, this policy change is not retroactive. The Committee recommend that Final Authority (FA) deny redress.

FA decision summary

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), acting as FAy, agreed with the Committee's recommendation to deny the grievance. He found that the grievor received the maximum Temporary Dual Residence Assistance and Capital Improvements benefits he was entitled to. The CDS found that the grievor received the Home Equity Assistance benefit to which he was entitled as per the applicable Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive provisions and noted that the benefit was raised from $15,000 to $30,000 on 19 April 2018. Unfortunately, the change was not retroactive and occurred after the grievor's relocation. He noted that the change in benefit answered the grievor's request for a policy review.