Veterans' Independence Programme
This is a non-urgent, needs-based programme for veterans with Qualifying Service who are having some difficulty managing in their own home.
To receive Veteran's Independence Programme (VIP) services, you must:
- have a Veterans' Affairs case manager
- have Qualifying Service
- link your need for VIP services to a service-related condition.
Check to see if you have Qualifying Service
Discretionary VIP services
In some cases, you may be eligible for Discretionary VIP services. You can receive Discretionary VIP services if you:
- do not have a case manager
- have Qualifying Service
- are aged 80 years or older, or have a terminal illness.
You do not need to link your need for VIP services to a service-related condition.
Types of services available
Examples of common VIP services:
| Service | How often | Details |
| Gardening | Up to 2 hours per month | Garden maintenance, including the removal of green waste generated from the agreement. |
| Lawn mowing | Up to 26 times per year | Lawns up to 1,000 square metres mowed and the created clippings removed. |
| Gutter and exterior house cleaning | Up to 4 times a year | Washing of house, external window, path, and driveway. House and garage gutter cleaning. |
| Home cleaning | Up to 2 hours per week | Vacuuming, tidying and dusting. Cleaning of bathroom and toilet, kitchen surfaces, hard floors, and interior windows up to 2 meters. |
How to apply
You cannot apply for VIP services directly. VIP services are a needs-based service that can be added to a service-related claim. We will work with you to determine if you have a need for VIP services.
If you do have a health condition related to your service, make a claim with one of these two forms:
Use the Disablement Pension form (VA01)
Use the Veteran Support form (VA56)
How to apply for Discretionary VIP services
The process is different to apply for Discretionary VIP services.
Apply for Discretionary VIP services
Check if another organisation can support you
Before you apply for VIP, check your eligibility for support through the public health system, Work and Income, or ACC.
Work and Income NZ(external link)
If you need help working with ACC
The Navigation Service was set up to give the public free, independent advice or guidance if they find the ACC system difficult to navigate.
ACC navigation services(external link)
If you need help completing an application
You can ask someone you trust to help you complete a form. This might be whānau or family, or someone from your local RSA.
If you’re unable to complete and sign a form due to physical or mental incapacity, it must be signed by a person with authority to act on your behalf. Evidence of this authority must be provided with the application.
How long will it take for services to begin
If your service-related condition is accepted, it may take 3 to 5 months before VIP 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.
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 to 5 months before the services are put in place.
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Step 1 We'll prepare
A Veterans Support Centre Officer will prepare for the assessment by reviewing your files and medical reports.
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Step 2 We'll call you
A Veterans 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.
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Step 3 We'll complete the assessment
A Veterans 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, we'll work with you to figure out what will best meet your needs.
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.