Policy
CAF Reissues Maternity and Nursing T-shirts Reimbursement Program Directive
Mishall RehmanThe Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continues to show its improving commitment to women by reissuing its directive on reimbursement of maternity and nursing shirts.
The directive, originally issued in November 2021, was reissued this past summer. The program has no changes and still allows for the same reimbursements as originally outlined. However, an administrative change was made for clerks processing the claims.
“The purpose of this CANFORGEN is to revise the financial coding and instruction for the maternity and nursing t-shirts reimbursement program. The change in financial instructions is effective immediately,” stated CANFORGEN 064/24.
Financial Instructions Outlined
The 2024 CANFORGEN outlines that the reimbursement of the claims for this program will be centrally funded.
“The authority to certify under section 34 of the FAA is vested by ADM (MAT) in the functional authorities (Military Financial Services Administrator Occupation Group) and the RC Managers. The delegation of authority form sets the lowest level of position at which financial authority may be exercised against the following financial code:
- Cost Centre: 8486JM
- Fund: C113
- Fund Centre: 2184JA
- General Ledger: 7209, (WORKING AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING), 2201 (FREIGHT- EXPRESS AND CARTAGE) AND 2208 (COURIER SERVICES).”
Additionally, when submitting a claim, members have up to one year after the purchase date to claim reimbursement. When submitting a claim, supporting documents must be submitted with the receipt and items clearly identified as maternity or nursing T-shirts.
About the Program
Women who are pregnant or nursing are entitled to receive funding assistance to purchase maternity t-shirts and nursing t-shirts. Any expecting Regular and Reserve Force members will get maternity t-shirt funding assistance. The funding assistance is to be provided to each entitled member (those who have completed basic training) twice during their pregnancy: once upon submission of the DND2268 and once more within ten months.
Funding assistance for the maternity t-shirt won’t exceed $125 each time, for a total of $250 for their pregnancy.
According to the CANFORGEN, all entitled Regular and Reserve Force members who have returned to work and are still nursing will be given nursing t-shirt funding assistance. The funding assistance won’t exceed $165 within a fiscal year. Applicable taxes will be reimbursed over and above the entitlement amount mentioned. Regular shipping costs and foreign currency exchange will only be reimbursed if they fall within the entitlement.
Selection of Maternity or Nursing T-shirt
“Notwithstanding the desire to accommodate personal suitability, the maternity or nursing t-shirt selection must conform to dress regulations. Hence, the maternity or nursing t-shirts must be in the environmental colours of black, neutral, or white.
“There will be no physical inspection of the maternity or nursing t-shirts being reimbursed as members are expected to follow the above directions when requesting funding assistance,” the CANFORGEN explains.
Reimbursement Mechanism
CAF members need to submit their request for reimbursement via CF 52, general allowance claim, with their original proof of purchase to their unit orderly room to start the reimbursement process.
For audit purposes, units will need to keep a list of all members who have claimed funding assistance entitlements (itemized by name and service number).
Units will also be required to keep all claims, receipts, and supporting documentation in accordance with FAM 1016-10, Managing Expense Claims.
Reimbursement of authorized claims will be centrally funded. Any questions on financial requirements and clarification regarding the policy will be directed to DSSPM clothing support office.
The shirts can be found online at the Canex here.
