Service standards for claims advocacy
Find out about the new service standards and how to meet them.
A total of up to $58.6 million is available over 3 years from 2026-27 to 2028-29 to support the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program. As part of this work, the government is maintaining the quality of the BEST Program via set service standards for claims advocacy.
These standards help to ensure that veterans and families of veterans receive high quality claims advocacy services. The standards support the work of the Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) and reflect the existing expectations of BEST Program grant recipients.
Back to topWhat this means for veterans and families of veterans
The standards set a quality of service for ESOs who offer claims advocacy services. When ESOs meet the standards, veterans and families of veterans can be confident that:
- the quality of claims advocacy services provided by ESOs is high quality and is nationally consistent
- BEST Program funding is going to organisations that provide high quality services (benefiting veterans and families of veterans) and that those organisations help DVA to process claims efficiently (by providing valid and complete claims from advocates).
What this means for ESOs and advocates
The Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the BEST Program include the service standards and all successful ESO recipients of a BEST grant must meet them.
ESOs and advocates who are not BEST grant recipients are encouraged to voluntarily adopt the standards to make sure veterans receive consistent and high-quality claims advocacy advice and services.
Back to topThe service standards for claims advocacy
There are 4 service standards for claims advocacy:
- Responsiveness of claims advocacy services
- Reliability and accuracy of claims advocacy services
- Ease and safety of access of claims advocacy services
- Management of claims advocacy services
You can also download the service standards for claims advocacy poster.
Standard 1. Responsiveness of claims advocacy services
Veterans and families of veterans are able to access claims advocacy services quickly and the advocacy process and timeframes are transparent.
| 1 | Standard |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | The ESO is able to assist veterans and families of veterans with claims advocacy assistance within a reasonable timeframe of initial request. |
| 1.2 | The ESO will also assess the wellbeing needs of veterans and families of veterans at the initial request for claims advocacy assistance. |
| 1.3 | The ESO keeps veterans and families of veterans informed throughout the claims advocacy process. |
Standard 2. Reliability and accuracy of claims advocacy services
Veterans and families of veterans receive a high standard of claims advocacy advice and assistance to access services and support from DVA.
| 2 | Standard |
|---|---|
| 2.1 | The ESO providing claims advocacy services ensures advocates are suitably trained and qualified. |
| 2.2 | The ESO submits claims on behalf of veterans and families of veterans (or assists) that are of a high standard (valid and complete). |
| 2.3 | The ESO submits claims electronically. |
Standard 3. Ease and safety of access of claims advocacy services
Claims advocacy services are accessible to veterans and families of veterans and safe for them and the ESO advocate.
| 3 | Standard |
|---|---|
| 3.1 | The ESO is able to offer claims advocacy services to veterans and families of veterans across a range of channels and regardless of location. |
| 3.2 | While accessing claims advocacy assistance veterans and families of veterans are physically and mentally safe. |
| 3.3 | While providing claims advocacy assistance the advocate is physically and mentally safe. This includes the ESO setting and communicating expectations of the advocate role. |
Standard 4. Management of claims advocacy services
ESO claims advocacy services are managed effectively and efficiently, and veterans and families of veterans are supported by well-managed ESOs who are continuing to learn and improve.
| 4 | Standard |
|---|---|
| 4.1 | ESOs have good record keeping-practices that includes recording claims advocacy case notes and numbers of claims/clients assisted. |
| 4.2 | The ESO has professional indemnity insurance. |
| 4.3 |
Advocates have the following checks and registrations (if applicable):
|
| 4.4 | The ESO participates in, and supports advocates with, continuing professional development. |
| 4.5 | Veterans and families of veterans are able to provide feedback or make a complaint with the ESO about the service they received. The ESO will take reasonable action to resolve a complaint. |
More information on the BEST Program service standards for claims advocacy can be found in Appendix A of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on the GrantConnect website.
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