Supporting veterans

All up Veterans’ Affairs supported me for about 2 years and have done a lot for me, for which I'm really grateful. I still receive a disability allowance as well for the injury.

Jared Booth came to the Eastern Bay of Plenty Mataatua ex-Military Support Expo (Whakatane) to say thank you to Veterans’ Affairs.

Jared joined the New Zealand Army in 1996 with 1RNZIR, before joining 6th Hauraki Battalion (6HAU) until 2007.

In 2017 he re-joined 3rd/6th Battalion and did a Short Term Regular Force Contract with Officer Cadet School and then left the Army again in 2020.

While in East Timor, he was doing a Battle Fitness Test and he dislocated his hip. From that moment he was in pain and his movements were restricted.

His doctor told him that he needed a hip replacement, but this was 2021 and during COVID, so there were delays in it being scheduled. He couldn’t work and his wife also lost her job.

Jared found the Veterans’ Affairs website, saw that he had eligibility –applied and was accepted. He had also applied to ACC for his operation, but that also took some time to be resolved and only did so with the assistance of an advocate.

In the meantime, Veterans’ Affairs put me through some physical rehab courses pre and post the hip operation which helped me have better movement, and then they put me through a basic computer course which helped now that I’m selfemployed.

During his recovery Veterans’ Affairs also provided Jared financial support and kept him in physical rehab with a gym membership. Veterans’ Affairs also provided vocational support.

An occupational therapist was provided and they helped me into selfemployment and to start out on my own as a rural fencer.

Then Veterans’ Affairs also provided me with a grant to buy tools with, which helped me get started.