12.5.1 Overview of Income Support Reviews and Appeals

What is a right of review?

A person who is dissatisfied with a decision made by a delegate of the Commission in relation to certain claims for a pension, entitlement to veteran payment or reassessment of a rate of pension or payment, may apply for a review of that decision. This is referred to as a "right of review". A written notice of the making of the decision and of the right of the person to have the decision reviewed must be provided to the person.

Decisions subject to internal review

The VEA provides review procedures for veterans, current and former members of the ADF and their partners and widows who wish to appeal against decisions concerning:

• a service pensions, or
• a veteran payment, or
• an income support supplement, or
• supplementary benefits such as a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card,

The first level of review on issues concerning service pension,  veteran payment, income support supplement or supplementary benefits is to a delegate of the Repatriation Commission     

Freedom of Information

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 a person may seek access to information in documentary form in the possession of DVA, including those relating to a decision which adversely affects their interests (or has the potential to do so).