Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Claims Reviews and Appeals
If you have an injury or health condition that relates to your service you may be eligible for compensation, access to medical care and a range of benefits depending on the DVA Act you are covered under.
Military Advocates SA has trained and accredited advocates who can assist you in:
- Identifying what you may be entitled to claim ,
- Lodging an “Investigation Ready” claim,
- Requesting a review of a decision, and
- Lodging an appeal.
It has been shown that veterans who access support from an ex service organisation advocate, are 75% more likely to be successful in their claim, review or appeal.
Our Advocates are:
- Experienced in assisting veterans in lodging claims, liaising with DVA on your behalf, seeking reviews of decisions, and running appeals.
- Veterans who have an understanding of military service and have been clients of DVA.
- Volunteers who are members of ex service organisations (ESO) like the Vietnam Veterans Association, RSL, Vietnam Veterans Federation, and Military Brotherhood MMC.
- Accredited having undertaken nationally accredited training through ATDP, and are fully indemnified.
- Independent. Our organisation is independent of the DVA and RSL SA, and is veteran focused.
- Free. All our advocates are volunteers, and we are funded through donations from ex-service organisations and the public.
We are available and accessible
Our Advocates are based in Adelaide at the Repat Wellbeing Centre, with staffed outreach service kiosks in Mount Gambier, Robe, Millicent, Penola, and on the Fleurieu. There are resident advocates in Mt Gambier and on the Fleurieu. Work is underway to recruit more for the other centres who are staffed by volunteers who can organise a teleconference. We assist veterans and their families in South Australia, Australia, Interstate and Overseas.
We can provide advice through:
- Face to Face meetings at the Veterans Wellbeing Centre Adelaide or our regional Hubs.
- Teleconferencing , or
- Video Conferencing.
While our Advocates are trained, and experienced, the final decision is always the veterans.