annual report 2011 - Blacktown RSL

sub-Branch
Pensions Officers’ Report
Once again your Pensions Officers Gerry, Tom and
Rick have been busy looking after Veterans on
behalf of the City of Blacktown RSL sub-Branch.
The past year has been a little quiet but over 50
inquiries (a little less than last year) for VEA claims:
• New Disabilities Claims
• Service Pension Claims
• War Widows Claims
• Pension Increases
• Worsening Effects of Accepted Disabilities
Also
Help with additional local NGO assistance and
ACAT Assessments for Home Care and Safety
in the Home Assistance
A few SCRA (prior to 2004) and MCRA
compensation case enquires have come our
way and a number are in the preparation and
claim stage.
We also assisted in obtaining medical and
service records for further consideration of
possible claims for some Veterans.
These resulted in some being actioned with
veterans receiving financial and lifestyle
improvements.
Your Pensions Officers have been attending
training in Veteran and War Widows Pensions, the
new MCRS system for Serving Personnel and
Welfare matters.
This will continue in 2011/12 as it is required that
you requalify every 2 or 3 years to keep current
with changes to the VEA Act, DVA operations and
Government policy etc.
The Pensions Officers would like to thank The Club
limited, The sub-Branch Secretary, The Welfare
Officers as well as all other Executive / Committee
members for their help throughout the year.
We would like to give our condolences to those
families that have lost loved ones through the year
OFFICE HOURS
Remember the office is open on Saturday
Mornings from 0900 to 1100 hours but Note not
on meeting Saturdays. And Tuesday morning from
0900 to1100 hours
You can arrange an Appointment through the
week at the office or even a Home or nursing
home Visit to assist you with DVA matters.
Note. Again Not on meeting Saturdays.
Once again your Pensions Officers Gerry, Tom and
Rick have been busy looking after Veterans on
behalf of the City of Blacktown RSL sub-Branch.
Services that we can provide
The services that the Pension’s Officers can
provide or assist you with include:-
• Assistance in member’s disability claims old or
new.
• The filling out of claim forms and DVA forms.
• Interpreting DVA letters and requests for
information.
• Worsening Lifestyle effects of veterans accepted
disabilities with claims for pension
improvements.
• Filling out SRS, MCRS and MCRA Forms of ADF
Serving Members; these are claims for
conditions for in service injuries and disabilities.
• Assistance for those service members ready to
leave the service into civilian live and Making
the Transition
• Service pension claims for retired ADF
member’s Peacekeepers and Hazardous
service (eg. not having Warlike conditions
service).
• Help with War Widow Pension, Widowers
Pension and ADF Widows; providing assistance
and guidance with their claims.
• Preparing Statements of Claim and Evidence
Briefs to accompany your DVA claims.
• Preparing a history of service and incidence
to assist with claims after obtaining your Service
and Medical records.
Also things to consider and refer you to, like;
• Help to seek financial advice after retirement,
loss of partner or loved one.
• Home care from the Commonwealth (DVA) or
Local NGO community provider
• Seeking specified alterations for safety and
comfort to your accommodation after an ACAT
review.
• Obtaining home maintenance and repairs as
well as lawn mowing services if you are eligible
for these services
There may be other things that we may be able to
help you with. Come in and have a chat or ring
the sub-Branch office to talk to us.
The Pension’s Officers would like to wish you all
the best for the forth coming sub-Branch year of
2011-2012.
Gerry Smith
Tom Baena
Rick Palenzuela
Pension Officers
34 BLACKTOWN RSL CLUB LIMITED - where friends love to meet