C42/1996 REVISED CRITERIA FOR DVA/DSS CLEARANCES FOR SERVICE PENSION

DATE OF ISSUE:  22 JULY 1996

REVISED CRITERIA FOR DVA/DSS CLEARANCES FOR SERVICE PENSION

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this instruction is to provide advice in relation to current policy on clearance criteria between the Department of Social Security (DSS) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) for claims for service pension.

BACKGROUND

2. This DI amends the reference at paragraph 15 of DI B12/95 - 'DVA/DSS Clearances', in relation to criteria for obtaining clearance for service pension grants.  That instruction was that in ALL new cases of grant or restoration of service pension, a clearance should be obtained form DSS.

3.Following a review of clearance procedures with the Department of Social Security, it was decided that clearances involving claims for service pension will be requested from DSS only if the person has indicated on the claim form that they were receiving DSS payments, or there is other information to indicate such.

4.If any dual payments do occur, these will be picked up by the data matching program.

REVISED CLEARANCE CRITERIA

5.The General Orders Service Pension (GOSP) was amended in the July 1995 release and again in the December 1995 release, to describe the circumstances where clearances must be obtained from DSS for grants or restoration of service pension or  Income Support Supplement (ISS).  A DI advising of the new policy was not prepared at the time GOSP was amended.

6.The revised criteria specify that a request for clearance need only be requested in certain circumstances.  This is when a service pensioner or ISS recipient, or their partner:,

• has declared that he or she:

  • is receiving a DSS allowance or pension;

  • was recently receiving a DSS allowance or pension;

  • has applied for a DSS allowance or pension;

or

• has indicated that he or she is likely to apply for a DSS allowance or pension.

7.For information, current clearance and adjustment procedures for grants or increases to Disability Pension (DP) or grants of war widow or war widower pension are described in DI B64/95.  This ID only amends clearance procedures in relation to claims for service pension.

8.Any queries regarding this instruction should be directed to John Bruce in the Policy Administration and Advice Section on (06) 289 6441.

MURRAY HARRISON

BRANCH HEAD

INCOME SUPPORT