RSL Lifecare Sets Blueprint For Veteran Support in Australia

RSL LifeCare has been awarded more than $550,000 from the Commonwealth Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program - cementing its place as a leading veteran advocate and support ex-service organisation (ESO) in Australia.

RSL LifeCare will utilise the grant, together with its own internal funding, to enhance the support services across claims and advocacy, providing greater access to life-changing services for veterans and their families.

The funds will help RSL LifeCare teams support more veterans through the claims process, relieving stress and ensuring veterans access the benefits and compensation they deserve.

As RSL LifeCare continues to expand its Veteran and Family Hub network, more than 101,000 additional veterans will have greater access to claims and advocacy teams across the organisation, including:

• In the Hawkesbury region, at least 7,700 more veterans;

• In the Macarthur region, approximately 11,442 veterans;

• In the Tweed and Ballina areas, reaching at least 25,700 more veterans;

• In the Hunter region, 22,000 veterans;

• Queanbeyan, near the Australian Capital Territory, an additional 22,000 veterans; and

• On the Central Coast, almost 8,000 additional veterans.

These figures don’t encompass the families of veterans, who are also the important beneficiaries of RSL LifeCare support services each and every day.

RSL LifeCare CEO, Janet Muir said the organisation thanked the Commonwealth Government for entrusting them with this year’s single largest funding boost for veteran support and advocacy services.

“The grant will be used to ensure veterans are seen, heard, and supported, no matter where they are,” Ms Muir said.

“This grant will go a long way to assist our veteran community and give them the support they deserve post-transition from service.

“With the imminent release of the final report from the Royal Commission, RSL LifeCare continues to serve as a beacon of hope for veterans.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP congratulated RSL LifeCare for earning the funding boost from the Commonwealth Government.

“The Building Excellence in Support and Training grants assist qualified registered advocates to help make it easier for veterans and families to get access to the services they need and help make it easier for veterans and families to get access to the services they need and deserve,” Mr Keogh said.

“I thank RSL LifeCare, and the many other ex-service organisations, on the important work they and their advocates do for the veteran community for no fee every day.”

RSL LifeCare currently operates four Veteran and Family Hubs in the Riverina, Shoalhaven, the Northern Beaches and in the Hunter region.

Last year, the Commonwealth Government also awarded RSL LifeCare funding to develop six new Hubs in Queanbeyan, the Central Coast, the Hunter region, Tweed/North Coast, the Hawkesbury and Southwestern Sydney areas to provide DVA claims and advocacy services, financial assistance, employment support, veteran wellbeing programs and accommodation support.

Visit www.rsllifecare.org.au/veteran-services/ for more information on the services and support provided by RSL LifeCare.

• Topics:

• Community Groups
• Grant / Funding
• Veterans