External
Policy

Last amended: 19 May 2011

What is EdEP

The education entry payment (EdEP) is a DVA payment to assist eligible pensioners with the cost of enrolling in a course of study in order to develop their skills, obtain a qualification and improve their employment prospects. EdEP can be paid to some DVA clients who receive payments under the VEA and also qualify for the Centrelink pensioner education supplement.

Eligibility for EdEP

    

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To be eligible to receive EdEP, a person must be receiving:

 

The other requirements for EdEP eligibility are that the person must:

Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)

Subsection 1061PJ(3) of the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA) outlines those VEA pensions which entitle a person to receive a payment of PES.     

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Payments attracting pensioner education supplement

Social Security Act 1991 – Section 1061PJ

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011C00098/Html/Volume_2

 

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The following DVA clients are qualified to receive the Centrelink pensioner education supplement:

  • a veteran who is receiving an invalidity service pension,
  • a person receiving war widow(er)'s pension who has a dependent child,
  • a person receiving disability compensation payment who has a dependent child,
  • a person receiving income support supplement,
  • a person receiving partner service pension whose veteran partner is receiving invalidity service pension,
  • a person receiving carer service pension (saved cases),
  • a person who has a dependent child and is receiving a pension under part IV of the VEA (pensions for member of Defence Force or Peacekeeping Force and their dependants),
  • a former member who has a dependent child and is receiving, or is eligible for, permanent impairment payments or interim compensation payments under the MRCA,
  • a former member who has a dependent child and is receiving special rate disability pension under the MRCA,
  • a widow/er of a former member who has a dependent child and is receiving, or has received, wholly dependent partner payments under the MRCA, or
  • a widow/er of a former member who is receiving, or has received, wholly dependent partner payments under the MRCA and income support supplement under the VEA.

Centrelink assesses each individual's circumstances and may require that additional criteria be met. For example, where a person receives income support supplement, Centrelink may also require that the person has a substantial disability or be receiving ISS on the basis of invalidity in order to be eligible for PES.

Other PES qualifying criteria that must be met are that the person must:

Note: Qualifying study may be either full time or a concessional load, depending on the person's circumstances and the qualifying payment that they receive     

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Qualifying study for PES

Guide to Social Security Law 3.8.3.20 Qualifying study for tertiary students

http://www.facsia.gov.au/guides_acts/ssg/ssguide-3/ssguide-3.8/ssguide-3.8.3/ssguide-3.8.3.20.html

 

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Specific DVA clients who have eligibility under the VEA are also eligible for EdEP payments from DVA.

ABSTUDY PES is not a qualifying payment which attracts EdEP.  ABSTUDY PES recipients may be able to qualify for EdEP (and the Training and Learning Bonus) if they swap to a standard 'social security' PES payment, but there may be some disadvantages in doing so.  If an ABSTUDY recipient is considering swapping PES payments, it may be in their best interests to seek advice from Centrelink about the implications of doing so.

Need for written claim

    

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No official claim form is required. However claims for EdEP must be in writing and must be accompanied by the original PES notice or statement confirming PES eligibility.

Evidence required

In processing claims for EdEP, the claimant will need to provide proof of PES eligibility. Evidence of fees paid, either the receipt, or a copy of the receipt, should also be sighted if possible.

Duplicate claims

If evidence suggests that a claimant may also have claimed EdEP from Centrelink, then liaison with Centrelink is necessary.

Payment of EdEP

Only one payment of EdEP is made in each calendar year. The payment is available to both new and existing students and is taxable.

Repayment of EdEP if person not enrolled

    

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If a person has been paid an EdEP, but is subsequently not enrolled in the approved course, the person must repay the amount of the payment back to the Commonwealth.

Education Entry Payment Supplement

From 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2010, a temporary supplement of $950 was payable if a person qualifies for EdEP.  The supplement is a Training and Learning Bonus prescribed under social security law and is administered by Centrelink.  A separate claim is not required.    

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Section 665ZZA of the Social Security Act

 

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Other vocational assistance for veterans and former members

The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme is a voluntary scheme under the VEA that assists willing veterans, with or without a disability, to find suitable employment.  Where assessed as necessary, suitable retraining may be provided which could include assistance with further study.      

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Other former members may be eligible for assistance with educational retraining as part of a vocational rehabilitation program under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).

See Also