Acute Support Package

The Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package

The Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package (Acute Support Package) provides short-term, flexible support to help eligible veterans and veteran families adjust to new and challenging life circumstances that may result in the family experiencing crisis.

You may be eligible for the Acute Support Package if you meet certain eligibility criteria, and it is appropriate to grant a package of supports to help you adjust to the new and challenging life circumstances that are impacting you and your family.

Under the Acute Support Package program, you and your family will have a support plan developed with appropriate and beneficial services, funded up to a maximum amount for up to two years.

A support plan may include other family members such as children under 18 years of age, if they meet certain eligibility criteria.

The Acute Support Package is not a primary response service in emergency situations. If you or someone else needs urgent help or support, please phone triple zero (000) or go to urgent help and support for information on organisations who can help. 

Eligibility

Veterans and current serving members

A veteran or a current serving member may be eligible if:

• they are under 65 years of age; and
• they are receiving, or eligible to receive, Incapacity Payments under the DRCA or MRCA, SRDP under the MRCA, a Special or Intermediate rate of Disability Compensation Payment, or Veteran Payment under the VEA; and
• the veteran or a related person of the veteran is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, crisis as a result of new and challenging life circumstances.

Former partners

A former partner of a veteran may be eligible if:

• they are under 65 years of age; and
• the related veteran is receiving, or eligible to receive, Incapacity Payments under the DRCA or MRCA, SRDP under the MRCA, a Special or Intermediate rate of Disability Compensation Payment, or Veteran Payment under the VEA; and
• either or both of the following apply:
  • they ceased being the veteran’s partner within the previous 12 months
  • a child of the veteran who is under 18 years of age lives with the former partner; and
• they are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, crisis as a result of new and challenging life circumstances.

A former partner of a deceased veteran is not eligible for the Acute Support Package.

Related people

A person who is defined under the legislation as a related person of a veteran includes:

• The veteran’s partner (partnered relationships include marriage, de facto relationships, or relationships recognised as a husband, wife or spouse of the Aboriginal race of Australia or a descendant of Indigenous inhabitants of the Torres Strait Islands)
• A parent or step-parent of the veteran
• A parent or step-parent of the veteran’s partner
• A grandparent of the veteran
• A child or stepchild of the veteran
• A child or stepchild of the veteran’s partner
• A grandchild of the veteran
• A sibling or half-sibling of the veteran
• A person in respect of whom the veteran stands in the position of a parent; or
• A person who stands in the position of a parent to the veteran

A related person may be eligible if:

• the related veteran is under 65 years of age; and 
• the related veteran is receiving, or eligible to receive, Incapacity Payments under the DRCA or MRCA, SRDP under the MRCA, a Special or Intermediate rate of Disability Compensation Payment, or Veteran Payment under the VEA; and
• the related person is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, crisis as a result of new and challenging life circumstances; and
• the crisis, or the risk of experiencing, crisis, is: 
  • impacting or involving the veteran; or
  • connected to the veteran’s wellbeing.

A related person of a veteran, including a current partner, does not have to reside in the same household as the veteran to be eligible for the Acute Support Package. A related person of a veteran may access the program without the knowledge or involvement of the veteran. This is important when experiencing family and domestic violence or family safety 
is a concern. 

Bereaved partners

A bereaved partner may be eligible if:

• they are under 65 years of age; and
• a Wholly Dependent Partner under the MRCA, or
• a Spouse under the DRCA; or
• a War Widow(er) under the VEA, and
• whose veteran partner’s death was related to service; including suicide; and the veteran’s death was less than two years ago.

Bereaved parents or step-parents

A bereaved parent or step-parent of a deceased veteran or the deceased veteran’s partner, may be eligible if:

• they are parenting a child under 18 years of age who is the child of a deceased veteran; and
• the veteran’s death was related to service; including suicide; and the veteran’s death was less than two years ago; and
• they, or the child are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, crisis.

In line with DVA’s Privacy Policy, we will not disclose any information about a claim without consent. This includes any information about a family member to a veteran or the veteran’s information to a family member. More information on DVA’s Privacy Policy and how DVA uses personal information can be found on DVA’s website at DVA Privacy Policy | Department of Veterans' Affairs. 

New and challenging life circumstances

To be eligible for the Acute Support Package, you or your family must be experiencing new and challenging life circumstances. We may use the following guidance to help assess this requirement.

A new and challenging life circumstance is a situation or event over which you have no control, that has recently occurred and is impacting on your wellbeing or ability to function. This includes an existing situation where the impact on you and your family has recently changed and may result in you or your family experiencing, or be at risk of experiencing, crisis. The impact of new and challenging circumstances is unique to each family and we will discuss your circumstances with you. 

The following situations and events are examples of challenging life circumstances, but are not limited to: 

• mental and physical heath episodes, including incidents of self-harm and attempted suicide.
• substance abuse issues including addiction. 
• family and domestic violence related incidents.
• family conflicts and relationship breakdowns.
• sudden, significant events such as a death in the family.
• at risk of disengagement with the community or with education institutions.
• at risk of engagement with the criminal justice system. 
• Other circumstances impacting the family’s ability to function where supports can provide the family with the opportunity to build their capability and/or functioning.

There are certain circumstances that the Acute Support Package is not designed to help with, including but not limited to:

• legal proceedings, court costs and fines.
• financial distress unrelated to a specific event (e.g. cost of living issues generally experienced by the community).
• medical and dental treatment and diagnostic services.
• support for loss of employment due to a veteran’s accepted medical condition where the veteran is ordinarily eligible for other DVA supports.
• natural/environmental disasters, particularly where supports are provided through other government programs.

Information about other government programs and services that you may be eligible to receive can be found at Our programs - Services Australia

At risk of crisis or experiencing crisis 

To be eligible for the Acute Support Package, you or your family must be experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, crisis as a result of the new and challenging life circumstances. We may use the following guidance to help assess this requirement.

A “crisis” may be considered as a breakdown in the family's usual pattern of functioning leading to an unstable, dangerous, or highly undesirable outcome. 

We understand that when a veteran family may be experiencing crisis, their circumstances are unique to them, and so too is the impact on their ability to cope and meet their wellbeing needs. 

The Acute Support Package is not a primary response service to emergency crisis situations. Please call triple zero (000) if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

How the Acute Support Package works

Developing a support plan

Under the Acute Support Package, we will work with you and your family to develop a support plan, which will include the agreed services we will fund, within a set time period and funding amount. 

In most cases, you will be able to choose who provides the services in your support plan. We can also help you identify suitable services in your location to access. 

Services included in an eligible family’s support plan are intended to: 

• support the day-to-day functioning of the family during a crisis,
• recognise and respond to individual circumstances and different pathways to healing and/or resolving crisis situations,
• facilitate individual families identifying interventions or activities that assist them to mitigate or reduce the risk of or impacts of a crisis,
• assist a family to adjust to the new and challenging circumstances,
• build the family’s capability and/or functioning to cope well in the future.

The types of services in a support plan may include, but are not limited to: 

• Childcare (including home-based care, centre-based care, family day care, occasional care and outside school hours care).
• Counselling for adults and children (including clinical, financial and other life skills counselling where required).
• Household assistance (including meal delivery or preparation, cleaning, and household and garden maintenance).
• Services to build capacity (including financial literacy, relationship skills, cooking lessons and mental health first aid).
• Wellbeing, academic and extra-curricular support for children (including tutoring, music lessons and sporting activities).
• Transport for families to attend services provided through the program if required.
• Other services that may be appropriate to assist your family to adjust to new and challenging circumstances.

If your circumstances and needs change, there is flexibility to vary supports, so the services remain relevant to your circumstances.

Agreed services, funding and time limits

The Acute Support Package does not provide families with financial assistance or income support in the form of payments. In most cases, DVA will pay a service provider directly for the services agreed in your support plan.

The value of services that may be included in a support plan and the time period to access them can vary depending on your eligibility.

For an Acute Support Package granted to an eligible veteran, former partner of a veteran or a related person of a veteran:

• services funded to a maximum of $7,500 in the first 12-month period; and
• services funded to a maximum of $5,000 in the second 12-month period, over a maximum 48-month period, and

In addition, on the day after the 24-month period has ended, up to four courses of counselling funded every 12 months for a continuous 36-month period.

For an Acute Support Package granted to bereaved families, an eligible widowed partner or a parent or step-parent of a deceased veteran or the deceased veteran’s partner who is parenting the child of a deceased veteran:

• services funded to a maximum of $27,835 in the first 12-month period; and
• services funded to a maximum of $27,835 in the second 12-month period, over a continuous 24 month period.

A child of a veteran can receive support through the funding amounts outlined above. In addition to the funding limits above, a child of a veteran can receive additional services funded to a maximum of: 

• $10,000 every 12-months for a child not yet attending primary school, or
• $5,000 every 12-months for a child attending primary school but not yet attending high school until the child commences high school.

How to make an application for the Acute Support Package program

There is no application form to complete to make an application for the Acute Support Package. 

If you would like to make an application or discuss your circumstances with us you can call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Information to help with decisions

We may request information to help us properly and accurately make a decision about your eligibility for the Acute Support Package, which may include personal information and proof of your relationship to a veteran. 

We may also request information where reasonable evidence of the need for services would help with decisions on the types of services that would be appropriate to include in your support plan. 

Review of a decision under the Acute Support Package 

If you disagree with a decision DVA has made regarding access or support under the Acute Support Package, you can ask us to review the decision. 

Further information about appealing a DVA decision is available on the DVA website at Appeals

Other supports

DVA offers a range of programs to assist veterans and families to navigate DVA services and access supports. If you are not eligible for the Acute Support Package or it does not meet all your needs, DVA can connect you with other programs and government or community services and supports. If you would like to discuss what other programs or services may be available please call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Further information on how DVA provides support for families is available at Support for families

Veteran families may choose to seek help in their interactions with DVA through a wellbeing and compensation advocacy service. You can find information on the DVA website at What to consider if you're looking for help? 

More information

Phone: For more information, please call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) 8AM to 5PM Monday to Friday. 

If you need counselling support today

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is a free and confidential 24-hour service for current and ex-serving ADF members and their families. Call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or go to the Open Arms website to get support or find out more.

If you need urgent help or support you can also go to Urgent help and support for information on organisations who can help.

Get urgent help and support today

If you or someone else is in an emergency crisis situation and needs immediate help, call one of the following:

• Triple zero (000) if you feel like you may hurt yourself or someone else.
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 24-hour free counselling and support for you and your family.
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 Confidential 24-hour telephone service for ADF members and their families.
• Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 Free support services if you are in crisis and need to talk to someone.
• National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732 Free 24-hour telephone service for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
• MensLine Australia is a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime. Call 1300 78 99 78
• National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 Support for financial hardship, including financial counselling, debt and complex situations.
• Safe Zone Support offered by Open Arms is a free and anonymous counselling service for you and your family. You can call anytime on 1800 142 072.
• Crisis payment - If you want to find out about the DVA Crisis Payment, or other DVA payments you may be eligible for at this time, you can call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Homelessness support

• DVA can connect you with homelessness services in your local area and check you are receiving relevant DVA supports. You can call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
• In some circumstances, Open Arms may be able to help with short term emergency accommodation. Go to Crisis accommodation for more information.

DVA domestic and family violence support

• Family and domestic violence is never acceptable. This DVA page explains what family and domestic violence and abusive behaviour looks like. It also gives information on where to find support if you need it.