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VIP SERVICES UPDATE

Message from Bernadine MacKenzie - Head of Veterans' Affairs

Kia ora everyone

 

This email is to let you know that, from today, 1 July, Veterans’ Affairs, will be offering services to some veterans who have qualifying operational service or qualifying routine service, but who don’t have illnesses or injuries associated with their service.

 

These are veterans who are 80 years of age and over, or who are younger than 80 but have a terminal illness.

 

These Discretionary Veterans’ Independence Programme (VIP) Services are needs-assessed, and aim to help veterans live independently in their own homes. They include:

 

  • garden maintenance

  • lawn mowing

  • foot care

  • exterior house washing

  • interior house cleaning

  • a personal medical alarm​

A new form is available for veterans to use when applying for these services. This can be found on the VA website (www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz)

For qualifying veterans who are aged 80 years and over, a registered health professional must complete a needs assessment declaration on the application form if one or more of these services is required. Registered health professionals include people like GPs, Practice Nurses, District Nurses or Support Needs Assessors. If a veteran is younger than 80 years but has a terminal illness, the declaration on the application form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner (their GP or a specialist).

 

This new Discretionary VIP Services programme does not apply to those veterans who are already clients of Veterans’ Affairs, and who have a service-related injury or illness. These veterans do not need to apply – they should speak with their Case Manager, who will be able to arrange services for them.

More information and the forms and policy can be found on our website, www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz

Best wishes to you all - Bernadine

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