Veterans

A Place to Call Home: Episode 4 - Homelessness in veterans

This is Part 4 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
In this 4th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Esther and Danu, solicitors from the Veterans’ Advocacy Service.  The Veterans’ Advocacy Service is a specialised service within the Government Law Service in the Civil Division of Legal Aid NSW.
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers working with veterans can help them identify themselves and refer them for legal help .
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Veterans Advocacy Service (VAS) can be contacted by:
Telephone: 9219 5148
Email: veterans@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
The website: Veteran (nsw.gov.au)
Writing to them at PO Box K847, Haymarket NSW 1240
Sending a fax to: (02) 9219 5145;
Attending 323 Castlereagh Street (cnr Hay St) Haymarket between 9am – 5pm. 
See reception on the ground floor.
If you live in a regional area, you can also contact the VAS through your local Legal Aid office or ex-service organisation.
For publications to display in your workplace, go to:
Veteran (nsw.gov.au), Scroll down the page to “Resources” – Have you served in the military?
Or go to: Publications and resources (nsw.gov.au) and type “Veterans” or “Military” into the Keyword to see our range of posters, fact sheets and wallet cards you can order or print.
For other supports go to:
Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
Legacy – Supporting our veterans' families since 1923.
Other relevant links:
Homepage | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Aged care resources | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Compensation claims | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/JyomD9olPvU2569tCkV1A6ZfiRI?utm_source=copy_url
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Legal help for Veterans’ and their dependents

Call to action!
 
Tell us what you really think of 'Law for Community Workers on the go' - help this resource grow and improve.
 
Do you ask your clients if they are a veteran or if they have you ever done any military service?
The Veterans’ Advocacy service is a state wide specialist service of Legal Aid NSW helping veterans and their dependents get access to the services and benefits they are entitled to.
Hear from Danuzia Pontes and Nicholas Warren about the service and how it could help your clients.
 
Referrals and more information
More information and contact details Veterans’ Advocacy Service at Legal Aid NSW
Order the Veterans’ Advocacy Service publication FREE from our publications website
Call the Veterans’ Advocacy Service direct on 02 9219 5148 (reverse charges accepted) for advice or to make an appointment.
Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local advice service.
Find out more about the Law Check-Up training program or book a FREE training session now.
Law Check-Up webinar
Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
Homes for Heroes
Soldier On
RSL NSW (incorporating DefenceCare)
Defence Families of Australia
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Veterans’ Review Board
To contact the CLE team with feedback or a topic suggestion please send us an email cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529.