5.17 Additional benefits associated with permanent impairment payments

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-mrca-manuals-and-resources-library/policy-manual/ch-5-permanent-impairment/517-additional-benefits-associated-permanent-impairment-payments

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5.17.1 Pensioner Education Supplement

Former members who are eligible for permanent impairment payments and undertake “qualifying study” may be eligible for the Centrelink Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). This supplement is intended to assist with some of the ongoing costs of study. PES is not subject to an income or assets test.

 Former members qualify for the Centrelink PES if they have a dependant child and are eligible to receive, or are receiving:

  • payments of compensation for permanent impairment under section 68 of the MRCA;
  • payments for additional compensation for impairment from another service injury or disease under section 71 of the MRCA; or
  • interim compensation payments under section 75 of the MRCA.

 Special Rate Disability Pension recipients who have a dependant child, and some veterans and their partners and widows who receive entitlements under the VEA, also qualify for PES.    

The Guide to Social Security Law states that a person is undertaking “qualifying study” for PES purposes if:

  • they are enrolled in a course; OR
  • they are a continuing student intending to enrol in a course of education at an educational institution; AND
  • the course is an approved course of education or study; AND
  • the recipient is a full-time student or a concessional study load student; AND
  • the recipient's progress is assessed as satisfactory.

 The PES is a fortnightly non-means-tested payment and a part rate is payable to students undertaking a concessional study load.  The current rate of PES is available on the Centrelink website at the following address Pensioner Education Supplement - Services Australia

Eligible former members should be encouraged to contact Centrelink for further details.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-mrca-manuals-and-resources-library/policy-manual/ch-5-permanent-impairment/517-additional-benefits-associated-permanent-impairment-payments/5171-pensioner-education-supplement

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5.17.2 Energy Payments

Permanent impairment payment recipients may also be entitled to energy payments under section 83A of the MRCA.      

Energy payments are automated for most clients.  Entitlement to energy payments must be manually determined for a small group of clients with between 5 and 10 impairment points who don't receive ongoing permanent impairment payments.  Follow the steps in this table to determine entitlement to energy payments.

Step

Question

If Yes

If No

1

Does the client have 5 or more impairment points

Go to 2

Client is not eligible for energy payments

2

Does the client have 10 or more impairment points

System will automatically assess entitlement to energy payments

Go to 3

3

Does the client have an accepted disability associated with loss of a finger or toe, loss of hearing or loss of sense of smell or taste?

Go to 4

Client is not eligible for energy payments

4

Does one alone of the accepted disabilities in Step 3 contribute at least 5 impairment points?

Go to 5

Client is not eligible for energy payments

5

Does the client receive weekly PI payments or have they received a PI lump sum?

System will automatically assess entitlement to energy payments

Go to 6

6

Does the client receive an above general rate Disability Compensation Payment, including where the pension rate is nil due to compensation offsetting?

System will automatically assess entitlement to energy payments

Go to 7

7

Is the rate of PI nil solely due to paragraph 398(3)(b) of the MRCA or subsection 13(4) of the MRCA (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004?

Energy payments may be payable subject to portability rules.  Refer the case to Business Systems Administration section for manual commencement of clean energy payments.

Client is not eligible for energy payments

 

 

 

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-mrca-manuals-and-resources-library/policy-manual/ch-5-permanent-impairment/517-additional-benefits-associated-permanent-impairment-payments/5172-energy-payments

Last amended