Veterans' Independence Programme

The Veterans' Independence Programme (VIP) aims to help you to remain independent and safe in your own home by providing home assistance services.

This is a non-urgent, needs-based programme for veterans with Qualifying Service who are having some difficulty managing in their own home.

It offers services like:

  • gardening
  • lawn mowing
  • clearing gutters
  • home cleaning.

Check to see if you have Qualifying Service

If you have Qualifying Service but not a service-related condition, you may still eligible for VIP services.

VIP services are based on your needs

You will only meet the criteria for services from the VIP programme if no one else in your household can provide the support.

To understand more about the needs of a client, we undertake a needs assessment.
This will help us to understand:

  • what is important to you
  • your medical treatment and health care needs
  • your rehabilitation needs, such as:
    • medical management assistance to manage treatment and medical goals
    • social assistance to overcome any barriers to rehabilitation, or to being part of your community
    • vocational assistance to return to work
  • your ability to safely manage daily independent living
  • your situation and whether you have any support already in place
  • the requirement for impairment and income compensation
  • who is helping you at home, and whether we should assess their needs too.

Following this assessment, it may be 3–4 months before the services are put in place.

About our needs assessment

What a needs assessment involves

Your needs assessment will be done over the phone by your case manager or a Support Centre Officer. It will take around 15 to 30 minutes.

 

  • Step 1 We'll prepare

    Your case manager will prepare for the assessment by reviewing your files and medical reports.

  • Step 2 We'll call you

    Your case manager or a Support Centre Officer will contact you by phone. They'll:

    • explain the needs assessment process
    • explain your rights and responsibilities
    • ask if you're free to do the needs assessment now
    • ask if you have whānau members or another non-professional support person helping you — we'll talk to them to see if they have needs that relate to the support they give you. 
  • Step 3 We'll complete the assessment

    Your case manager or Support Centre Officer will leave the call and take some time to complete the assessment. They will call you back at an agreed time. In some cases, they may also need additional information from a health professional.

    After the assessment, your case manager will work with you to figure out what will best meet your needs.

Processing times

It may take 3 to 4 months before the services begin. 

This is because VIP services are not critical to the health of clients and don't include any treatment or medical services. These services are designed to support the day-to-day lives of clients in their own homes.

We work with third-party providers of these services to put them in place soon as they are able. However, some are having capacity problems, which may cause a delay. 

Spouse and partner

Your spouse or partner can keep getting Veterans' Independence Programme services even if you:

  • are getting treatment in a hospital, but have not permanently moved into the hospital
  • have entered long-term residential care for up to 12 months
  • pass away — for up to 12 months after your death.