Veterans’ Services Update – July-September 2020

RSL DefenceCare is now a part of RSL LifeCare’s growing veteran services portfolio which builds on the organisations purpose of enriching the lives of veterans. RSL DefenceCare, is proudly supported by RSL NSW and RSL sub-Branches, continue to support Australian Veterans’ and their families, providing a range of support services.

Like other organisation, the RSL DefenceCare team have had to adapt to new ways of engaging with clients due to the risks associated with COVID-19, however while things are different, they have been still able to offer professional and caring services to veterans and their families.

Between July and September 2020, RSL DefenceCare was able to:

• Provide $54,940 in financial assistance including $9,000 in disaster assistance.
• Assist 33 veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Help 141 veterans to lodge 447 DVA claims.Provide 88 counselling sessions.
• Make 101 virtual or socially distanced visits to veterans and family members at homes, hospitals or nursing homes.
• Lodge 38 new VRB appeals, complete 68 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions and represent 6 full VRB Board Hearings.

This update was originally published on the RSL DefenceCare website. Read on below to find out how RSL NSW has supported veterans and their families through RSL DefenceCare.

Financial and Disaster Assistance

From July to September 2020, we provided $54,940 in financial assistance including $9,000 in disaster assistance. As the holiday season approaches, so too does bushfire season. Although there may be an increased risk of floods this summer. We would like to remind any veteran families in the impacted areas that our support is available.

Homelessness and Housing Support

In the last three months we helped 33 veterans who were experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

Feedback, including RSL DefenceCare’s, has led to changes to the eligibility criteria for the Rent Choice Veterans’ program, expanding access to affordable housing for even more veterans.

As a result, we have seen an increase in the number of housing applications our housing project officer has been able to submit, more than doubling the number of veterans we have been able to assist.

With RSL DefenceCare recently joining the broader RSL LifeCare Veteran Services portfolio, our team now work more closely than ever with the Homes for Heroes program. We hope that together we can assist more and more veterans to find sustainable and secure living.

DVA Claims and Appeals

Between July and September 2020, we helped 141 veterans lodge 447 DVA claims.

We also lodged 38 new VRB appeals, completed 68 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions and represented 6 full VRB Board Hearings.

The team of claims advisors and advocates consistently receives positive feedback from veterans they have assisted due to their client-focus and the positive outcomes they achieve. This is one reason that RSL DefenceCare will continue to be RSL NSW’s recommended provider of services for veterans and their families.

Community Support and Outreach

We continue to offer outreach services in virtual and socially distanced ways.

In the last three months, we have been able to provide 88 counselling sessions and make 101 virtual or socially distanced visits to veterans, widows and other family members at homes, hospitals or nursing homes.

Continued Support

We continue to offer outreach services in virtual and socially distanced ways. However, we strive to ensure that human interaction and engagement isn’t lost, even if we are doing things differently.

In the last three months, we have been able to provide 88 counselling sessions and make 101 virtual or socially distanced visits to veterans, widows and other family members at homes, hospitals or nursing homes.

RSL NSW recommends RSL DefenceCare for the quality of its services and its client-focus in understanding each veteran’s unique situation.

RSL sub-Branches can find out how to donate here.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact the team at RSL DefenceCare.