Definitions

• The Veterans Act mentions but does not define necessitous circumstances
  We believe that it relates to the financial circumstances of the veteran’s partner and dependants, or in other words “in financial need”
  
• Generally, it means that the veteran or the dependant cannot afford to purchase the goods or services they need to live, in an appropriate and acceptable manner
  
• Currently A Helping Hand can only support beneficiaries who are residing in Victoria

A veteran is someone who has served in the Australian Defence Force, Peacekeeping Force or other Commonwealth Forces as defined by the Australian Veterans’ Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families First) Bill 2019

The bill: provides a general recognition of veterans and their families; sets out the Australian Defence Force Covenant; provides statements that veterans’ affairs portfolio legislation will be interpreted with a beneficial intention and that the Commonwealth is committed to working cooperatively with veterans, their families and ex service organisations to address issues facing veterans; and provides that the Commonwealth may issue pins, cards and other artefacts to veterans and their family members.

A “Lost” Veteran is someone who has served in the Australian Defence Force, Peacekeeping Force or other Commonwealth Forces who has:

• been killed whilst serving
  
• died as a result of suicide, whilst or since serving
  
• severely incapacitated due to service related PTSD or other psychological impacts
  

• The wife or husband of a veteran (living or deceased) is a dependant

• The son, daughter, or grandchild, who are or were solely dependent on the veteran are dependants

Patriotic funds are a type of trust fund created after the First World War, when Victorian communities raised money to assist soldiers and their families.

They provide welfare services and clubrooms for returned service personnel and their dependants.

A Helping Hand is a Welfare Patriotic Fund, as recognised and approved by the Director of Consumer Affairs, Victorian Government

A Helping Hand will be run as a not-for-profit Charity through the incorporated association and is also registered by Trust Deed as a Welfare Patriotic Fund:

A HELPING HAND, SUPPORTING PARTNERS OF LOST VETERANS INC. 
(ABN: 31 271 512 882)

• This is managed via the governing Committee of the incorporated body

• This is managed under the defined “Model Rules” of the incorporated body

Click here to view the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation in Victoria

Click here to view the ACNC registration certificate as a Charity