Canada’s Veterans are increasingly turning to charity to help them make ends meet.

The Toronto Star says Vets, waiting for their pensions to roll in, are looking to the Royal Canadian Legion and Food Banks to help them put food on the table and pay their rent.

The Canadian Forces Pension Services website says pensions should be paid within 3-14 weeks of application, but the Forces’ Ombudsman Gary Walbourne says that number is not reliable or accurate.

He says there is a backlog of 13,000 pension applications which has led to more than 1300 complaints to his office since 2007.

The Royal Canadian Legion says it has shelled out $1.5 Million in rent, transportation and groceries for Vets waiting for their pensions.