Injured veterans and their families would be eligible for a new grant and expanded eligibility for a lost wage allowance under proposed legislation unveiled by Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole on Tuesday.

The first would create a new family caregiver relief benefit for family members of veterans with a severe and permanent service-related injury to bring in a professional caregiver or another family member to help.

That annual grant of more than $7,000 would give those "informal" caregivers, who handle tasks such as managing appointments and giving "basic" assistance, a chance to take a break while care continues.

"These caregivers — spouses, common-law partners, parents or adult children — will often try juggling raising a family, their workplace duties, alongside assisting their loved one. Their own careers are often sidetracked or reduced and often their own health and wellness is impacted," O'Toole said in a news conference.

"This new benefit recognizes their important work and provides them with a little added flexibility and assistance."

The other announcement would take the Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) of up to around $2,800 a month for the rest of a severely and permanently injured veteran's life and open it up to more people, all of whom cannot return to work.

"Currently, one way to be eligible for PIA is that a veteran requires the physical assistance of another person to perform most activities of daily living (mobility, feeding, bathing, etc.) This new change will broaden the criteria so that more veterans are eligible for this financial support each month," according to a veterans affairs background document.

"Once implemented, more veterans who have a severe and permanent limitation in mobility or self-care, related to their military service, will receive this benefit."

The department said the new benefit would help around 350 informal caregivers by 2020, while expanding the allowance would mean around 300 veterans would qualify who couldn't before in that same time frame.

O'Toole later clarified on CBC's Power & Politics that the proposed changes cover veterans affected both physically and mentally.

Jenifer Migneault, whose husband is a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, said she appreciates the recognition and the symbolism but wonders if the caregiver proposal will work in every situation.

"I salute the fact that [O'Toole] seems to be listening and he seems to be proactive," she told Power & Politics host Rosemary Barton.

"Maybe this measure will help others, but for me there's no question of a stranger in my house. My husband is suffering from PTSD, he has trust issues."

Key changes announced last week

Last fall, then veterans affairs minister Julian Fantino faced opposition calls for his resignation or firing over his handling of the veterans portfolio.

The department had faced heated criticism from veterans over the decision to close regional offices and for the lack of support for veterans with mental illness.

In early January, Prime Minister Stephen Harper replaced Fantino with O'Toole and appointed longtime Conservative John MacDonell, an experienced political hand, as O'Toole's top adviser.

Over the last week, O'Toole has announced several significant policy and program changes: