THE Windsor RSL Sub Branch has received a Commonwealth Grant to help with advocacy services for returned and current Defence personnel.
President of the Sub Branch, Geoffrey Brand, said the $2,532 sum would help him and two other volunteers continue to offer important assistance for Defence personnel who need to fill-out paperwork to receive financial assistance from the government.
“[The grant] will assist us with stationery, and to purchase a laptop computer,” he said.
“We don’t only do face-to-face interviews at the sub-branch; we also - if the member cannot get to the sub-branch - go to their house and assist them from there.
“At times we also assist widows - wives of members when the members have passed away - with lodging claims and getting their correct entitlements.”
The volunteers are trained to assist veterans and serving members through the process of lodging a claim for a pension with Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), and follow-up with them afterwards if they need further assistance related to their claim.
“If their claim is denied there is a system in process where we can take it further to a higher level called the review board. We make representation to that board for the member that we’re representing,” said Mr Brand.
The Windsor RSL Sub Branch has around 200 members, and the team also assists other community members who are serving and ex-serving Defence members.
“It is very important to be able to offer these services because the DVA systems are very complicated,” Mr Brand said.
Mr Brand, who lives in Bligh Park, encouraged potential claimants to approach the sub-branch for assistance.
“If anybody thinks that they may have a claim, come forward and talk to us, and we can advise them if we think they have or they haven’t [got a case],” he said.
“Also, anyone who’s had a claim that’s over 12 months, we should revisit their claim to see if their condition has got worse, and if it has then providing there’s supporting medical evidence, we can apply for an increase in their disability rate.”
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman said the Windsor District Sub Branch provided an invaluable service to local veterans and those transitioning out of the Defence Force.
She congratulated them on receiving the grant, which came from the government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) fund.
“Like most sub branches, the Windsor District RSL Sub Branch is staffed entirely by volunteers who provide vital advocacy and support to current and ex-Defence Force personnel,” Ms Templeman said.
“I’m pleased they have secured a small grant to help deliver these services.”
She said personnel exiting Defence had taken her through the paperwork involved with making a claim or applying for pensions and other benefits, and she could see how it could be “overwhelming”.
“Having someone who’s experienced to guide you through the whole process from start to finish can make all the difference,” she said.