EX-SERVICE organisations in Blair are encouraged to apply for a share of $4.5million in funding through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.
Grant funding awarded through the BEST grants program must be used to cover costs related to advocacy services and is available to all ESOs that provide this type of support.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said applications for grants were now open and encouraged ESOs that provide compensation and/or wellbeing advocacy services to veterans and families to apply. “ESOs play a vital role in supporting the veteran community, providing localised services and support to current and former serving personnel,” Minister Keogh said.
“This Australian Government funding will support ESOs provide advocacy services, to ensure veterans are receiving accurate advice and assistance about claims, entitlements and services.”
“Having advocates who are Advocacy Training and Development Program qualified, providing support to veterans means claims can be submitted at a faster rate, and to a high standard.
“When claims are submitted with all required documentation, it ultimately means veterans get the help they need faster. “By applying for a BEST grant, ESOs can continue to provide essential services to the veteran community.”
Federal Blair MP Shayne Neumann said ESOs, community organisations and other local veteran groups played a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the local defence and veteran communities.
“Recently, I attended the opening of Australian Veteran Health Services in Springfield Central, which is a new veteran medical service that also assists with advocacy and DVA claims,” he said.
“Many veterans and their families rely on ESOs and services like this to help them access the payments and other support they need.”
Applications for BEST grants are now open and close on February 23.
For more information visit grants.gov.au.
