DVA COVID-19 e-news special edition
This is a special COVID-19 edition of e-news from the Department of Veterans Affairs – passed on in full for the information of CONTACT fans.
DVA is committed to keeping the veteran community and the Australian public informed as this crisis evolves. Between editions of e-news and Vetaffairs, you can check the DVA website, including the Latest News for Veterans page. Please share this email with anyone you think might find it useful.
If you have received this without having subscribed to e-news, that is because DVA has used the email address you provided to MyService. We have done this because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will not send you routine editions of e-news unless you subscribe. If you do not want to receive COVID-19 editions of e-news, please email us.
COVID-19 and the veteran community
DVA has a Pandemic Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that critical support and services remain available to the veteran community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring the Government’s response and health advice and will adapt our planning accordingly.
DVA’s number one priority is the health and wellbeing of Australia’s veteran community.
Read more on the DVA website.
Economic Support Payments
On 12 March, the Australian Government announced a $17.6 billion stimulus package. On 22 March, the Government released the second stage of its economic plan to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery.
Read more on the DVA website.
Services at DVA VAN offices
For the safety of both staff and the veteran community there will be some changes to the provision of face-to-face services at DVA VAN offices.
Read more on the DVA website.
Deeming rate reduction 1 May 2020
Clients who receive income support payments from DVA will soon benefit from changes to the way financial assets are assessed, thanks to changes to deeming rates.
Read more on the DVA website.
Coping with COVID-19
Read more on the DVA website.
Telehealth and medicine delivery
On 13 March 2020, the Australian Government announced temporary arrangements to allow some health and medical services such as those provided by general practitioners, medical specialists and mental health professionals, to be delivered by telephone or videoconferencing instead of face-to-face.
The Australian Government has also confirmed that vulnerable people, including eligible members of the veteran community, will soon be able to order their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) prescriptions remotely, and have their medicines home-delivered to reduce their potential exposure to COVID-19.
Read more on the DVA website.
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling
Open Arms is open for business. If you are feeling unwell, or have concerns about the spread of COVID-19, call us on 1800 011 046 and we’ll reschedule your appointment or discuss options for conducting your session via telephone or video conferencing.
Are you missing out on entitlements?
If you haven’t provided your bank account and address details to DVA, then you may be missing out on entitlements.
Read more on the DVA website.
Anzac Day 2020
On 18 March, the Australian Government made the difficult decision to cancel Australian-led overseas Anzac Day services. Major domestic services have also been cancelled.
Australians are encouraged to mark Anzac Day in their own way.
We will provide more advice on the DVA website shortly.
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This is a DVA newsletter, passed on in full and unedited for the information of CONTACT fans.
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