The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on all of our lives, and is leaving some people with feelings of anxiety, worry, stress or fear. To support you during this time, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is remaining open for business. 

The JobSeeker payment is available for those seeking employment and who are aged from 22 to pension age including veterans and their families. (Youth Allowance is available to those aged under 22). It’s also for people who are sick or injured and can’t do their usual work or study for a short time.

The $130 billion JobKeeper Payment is designed to help keep Australians, including veterans and their families, in jobs as the nation deals with the significant economic impact of the COVID-19.

It takes courage to reach out for support, and sometimes it is easier to do this anonymously.  For this reason there is a new telephone support line available to any member of our veteran community.

One of DVA’s key priorities following the outbreak of the coronavirus has been to ensure that our veteran community receives the most appropriate care possible in these unprecedented times.

The second Australian Government stimulus payment of $750 to around five million social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders will be paid automatically in July. 

Essential services assistance for households and small businesses facing hardships will be extended from the energy and telecommunications sector to other services like water resources and local government.

The Government is providing considerable resources to strengthen the aged care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure all elderly Australians, including veterans and their families, are supported.

Australian service men and women have a well-earned reputation for resilience, adaptability, and helping their mates. 

Many veterans receive services at home through Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) and other programs managed by the Department of Health. Veterans who receive home care from aged care workers should be reassured that your care workers are taking all necessary measures to ensure you stay well and to protect you from coronavirus (COVID-19).