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EASIER
CLAIM PROCESS BEING TRIALLED
An easier process
for veterans and ex-service personnel to claim compensation and
benefits is a step closer with a new trial commencing this month,
the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today.
Mr Griffin said a
new single claim process will make accessing compensation more
straightforward for those veterans and ex-service personnel who may
have entitlements under more than one Act administered by the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“Depending on
their service, veterans and ex-service personnel may be entitled to
benefits under three different Acts – the Veterans
Entitlements Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation
and Compensation Act 2004,” Mr Griffin said.
“To date, veterans
wanting to claim under more than one Act needed to submit a separate
claim form for each Act.
“The new process
being trialled will see veterans lodge one single claim form for
compensation and benefits available under any of these three Acts,
cutting down the unnecessary paperwork for veterans.”
Mr Griffin said
understanding which legislation relates to their claims can be
confusing for veterans and ex-service personnel.
“The introduction
of a single claim form will help reduce this confusion and is an
important step forward in improving the overall claim process for
veterans,” he said.
The new process
will be trialled over the next two months in Perth, Melbourne and
Brisbane, working with specific veteran advocacy centres located in
these states.
“My Department is
working closely with ex-service organisations and members of the
veteran community to ensure the new process is effective in helping
veterans access their rightful entitlements and easing the claims
process. If successful, the single claim process will be expanded as
soon as possible,” Mr Griffin said.
This trial
complements other initiatives designed to improve the transition for
members leaving service, particularly those who have to deal with
multiple agencies.
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
The
VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be
contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 011 046.
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