14.3.4 Grandparents, providing full-time care for children of veterans

A grandparent, parenting the child of a veteran, may include a parent or step parent of the veteran, or parent or step-parent of the veteran’s partner or former partner.

A grandparent, parenting the child of a deceased veteran and who is providing full-time care for a child of a veteran, may be eligible to receive support under a Package; if:

• the child of the deceased veteran is under 18 years of age; and
• the grandparent or the child is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, crisis; and
• the veteran’s death was related to service; including suicide; and the veteran’s death was less than two years ago; and
• it is appropriate to grant a Package of support to assist with adjusting to new and challenging life circumstances.

A grandparent parenting the child of a deceased veteran may be eligible to access funded services for a total of 24 months (continuous) including:

• up to the value of $27,835 in the first year and $27,835 in the second year;
• up to the value of $10,000 each year per child under school age, for supports for the child; and
• up to the value of $5,000 each year per child of primary school age, for supports for the child while attending primary school.

A grandparent, parenting the child of an incapacitated veteran may be eligible to receive support under a Package; if:

• the veteran is under 65 years of age; and
• the veteran is eligible for Incapacity Payments under the DRCA or MRCA, SRDP under the MRCA, or a Special or Intermediate rate of Disability Compensation Payment, or Veteran Payment under the VEA; and
• the grandparent or the child is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, crisis which is impacting or involving the veteran, or connected to the veteran’s wellbeing; and
• it is appropriate to grant a Package of support to assist with adjusting to new and challenging life circumstances.

Grandparents, parenting the child of an incapacitated veteran may be eligible to access services to the same limits of current veteran families:

• up to the value of $7,500 in the first year and $5,000 in the second year;
• up to the value of $10,000 each year per child under school age, for supports for the child; and
• up to the value of $5,000 each year per child of primary school age, for supports for the child while attending primary school; and

• in addition, four courses of counselling may be available each year for a continuous period of three years, after the Package of support has completed.