B62/1994 LODGEMENT OF CLAIMS AT VETERANS' ADVICE NETWORK (VAN) OFFICES AND REGIONAL OFFICES.

DATE OF ISSUE:  16 DECEMBER 1994

LODGEMENT OF CLAIMS AT VETERANS' ADVICE NETWORK (VAN) OFFICES AND REGIONAL OFFICES.

Purpose

The purpose of this instruction is to advise that any Veterans' Advice Network (VAN) office and Regional Office is classified as "an office of the Department in Australia" under the VEA for lodgement of claims purposes.

Background

2.Section 14 of the VEA states that a claim for pension other than service pension shall be made by forwarding the application to, or delivering it at, an office of the Department in Australia.  Sections 36G, 37G, 38G and 39G state that a claim for service pension must be lodged at an office of the Department in Australia.

3.All VAN and Regional Offices fall within the category of "an office of the Department in Australia".

Future Action

4.Claims assessors and delegates are to accept the date of lodgement of claims, whether this be in a Branch Office, a Regional Office or a VAN office, from the earliest date the Department received the claim.

5.VAN offices and Regional Offices are to document the claim accordingly to reflect the above.

6.For information and appropriate action.

G J COLLINS

A/G NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

BENEFITS