Veterans and families are to have access to more practical services and flexibility under legislation to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (DVA) Family Support Package.
In a statement, the DVA said the new Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package included a range of wellbeing and skills-based support services to build capacity and the functioning of the family.
“Requirements for veterans to have warlike service or be participating in rehabilitation will be removed,” the DVA said.
“Eligibility will be expanded to working age families of veterans eligible for certain payments under all three Acts, who are at risk of or are in crisis,” it said.
“Working age widowed partners of veterans whose death was related to service, including suicide, under all three Acts will also now be eligible.”
The DVA said this eligibility expansion, now in effect, allowed veteran families to access important support when they needed it most.
It said support for widowed partners would be improved by allowing them to access support for two years from the date of acceptance into the program, rather than the date of death of the veteran.
“Financial limits for each service category of childcare, counselling and household services will be replaced with an overall yearly cap, providing families with greater flexibility,” the Department said.
“Additionally, a range of new practical supports will be available to help families build independence and resilience including but not limited to financial literacy, mental health first aid, academic and wellbeing support for children, resilience development and counselling.”
Further information on the new support package can be accessed at this PS News link.
