Free Veteran Advocacy
Kim Harris - Mentone RSL Compensation Advocate
SHORT BIOGRAPHY:
- Joined the R.A.N. as a Junior Recruit through H.M.A.S. Leeuwin, Fremantle W.A. in January 1969.
- In H.M.A.S. Melbourne for seamanship training in 1970.
- In H.M.A.S. Albatross, Nowra N.S.W. 1970-71 for training as an avionics mechanic then worked on Wessex helicopter squadrons HT 725 and HS 817 in Albatross and Melbourne until January 1975.
- Completed H.S.C. in 1975 at Swan Hill High, then completed an arts degree and teacher training at Monash University 1976 - 1979.
- Worked at Monash in administration 1980 – 1987 while completing a law degree part-time.
- Worked as a solicitor from 1988 – 2022, first as an articled clerk then employee on the Peninsula and in the city, then in my own firm in Cheltenham and Sandringham doing criminal, family, probate, conveyancing, business and tax law.
- Volunteer work as a compensation advocate at RSL Vic from 2022 - now level 2.
Kim Harris - Mentone RSL Advocate
RSL Compensation Advocate’s Role
The Compensation Advocates who operate under the auspices of RSL Vic are either full-time or part-time employees of the RSL or volunteers, mostly working part-time. All of them undergo extensive training within a system approved of and monitored by DVA to ensure competency for the role. All advocates are required to complete regular, annual continuing professional development to maintain skills and knowledge.
The role of compensation advocates is to assist veterans with claims to DVA for financial payments, medical treatment and other DVA funded services. The assistance given varies to the degree requested by the individual veteran - it could be running a claim from beginning to end, or merely checking a part of the procedure a veteran is unsure of, when managing their own claims.
Most often though, once approached by a veteran to advise them of possible claims, it involves reviewing their service and medical history to see if the veteran’s medical complaint is potentially service linked and then preparing a statement that aims to successfully link the two, collecting other necessary documents (medical reports, identification and authorities to deal with DVA) to lodge the claim. We then liaise with the veteran and DVA through its investigations and assessment and decision; and if appropriate, appeal process.
Do you need an advocate?
If you're in need of an advocate, please fill in the form below and Kim will be in contact. From that point, you can schedule a time with Kim to catch up at the RSL and discuss your needs. RSL advocacy services are always free.