19. If I hold a DVA Card can I have an In Home Care Package too?

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If you hold a DVA Card you CAN also have a Home Care Package. The most important issue is that you cannot duplicate services. We have had many clients with both. Our advice is getting everything you can from your DVA Card and then use your Home Care Package for the rest of the care you need. Below is  a list of the services and equipment DVA will pay for.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (DVA) is responsible for carrying out Government policy and implementing programs to fulfil Australia’s obligations to war veterans and their dependents. DVA offers a range of programs to assist Veterans and war widows/widowers with their health and wellbeing and who wish to live independently in their own home with some assistance.

How do I confirm qualifying service?

To confirm qualifying service, you will need to complete a form based on the circumstances of your service, every application is considered on individual merit. If you are:

• A current or ex-member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF);
• A Commonwealth or Allied Veteran;
• If you served with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam;
• If you served with the Forces in Yugoslavia in the Second World War; or
• An Australian or Allied Mariner.

Programs and services available through DVA include:

Veterans’ Home Care Program (VHC)

Administered through DVA and provides a range of services for low-level home care to veterans, war widows/widowers. The aim of VHC is to assist veterans to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.

VHC services include:

• Domestic assistance;
• Personal care;
• Safety-related home and garden services; and
• Respite (in-home, residential and emergency).

When a veteran, war widow/widower has increasingly complex care needs, they should be referred to the ACAT team for assessment for a Home Care Package. If approved, the Home Care Package becomes the primary source of care.

Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program (CVC)

Provides ongoing, planned and coordinated primary and community care led by a G.P. with a nurse coordinator. Must be a Gold Card holder and have a chronic condition or complex care needs and are at risk of hospitalisation.

Eligibility for the CVC program is determined by the G.P. services offered by Home Care Packages level 1 and 2 generally do not duplicate services provided by CVC. DVA may provide recipients of VHC and CVC with additional services such as:

• Community nursing;
• Rehabilitation aides;
• Allied health services; and
• Transport.

If these services are not being met by a Home Care Package.

Community Nursing

DVA community nursing is offered by the DVA Community Nursing Program, to address a range of clinical and/or personal care needs in the veterans own home. Referral is through:

• G.P.;
• Treating doctor in a hospital;
• Hospital discharge planner;
• Nurse practitioner; or
• VHC Assessment Agency.

Allied Health

DVA funds all health services necessary to meet the clinical needs for Gold Card holders. For White Card holders, DVA will fund those services required because of their “accepted war caused or service related condition(s)”. Examples of allied health services include:

• Social work;
• Psychologist;
• Occupational therapist;
• Podiatrist;
• Physio; and
• Dietitian.

Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)

Provision of aids and appliances to minimise the impact of disabilities, maximise independence and enhance quality of life. Examples include:

• Wheel chairs;
• Shower chairs;
• Walking frames;
• Continence products;
• Over toilet chair;
• Airflow Mattress;
• Hoist;
• Sit to stand electric chair;
• Electronic lift hospital bed;
• Home oxygen; and
• Diabetic supplies.

Transport (RTS)

The Repatriation Scheme provides eligible veterans and war widows/widowers (entitled persons) assistance with transport when they attend a health provider for medical treatment. Modes of transport include:

• Private vehicle;
• Public transport;
• Community transport;
• Taxi/hire care; or
• Air travel.

In some cases DVA will pay for other related expenses such as accommodation and food.

DVA clients and Community Aged Care Packages

Veterans and war widows/widowers have the same right of access to Home Care Packages as any other member of the community. Once approved by an ACAT as eligible, a Home Care Package becomes the primary source of care for the veteran, war widow/widower. Some services may still be provided by DVA, as long as duplication can be avoided.

There are many advantages to a DVA card

A National Parks Exemption card gives you free entry into all NSW National Parks and Reserves. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), or are a veteran receiving an EDA, Intermediate Rate, Blinded, TPI or TTI pension (Gold Card), you can apply for an exemption card. You can lodge your application via email or post. Alternatively, you can visit a service centre or CLICK HERE for details.