Qualifying Service Claims

VEA?

Last amended: 05 October 2007

Who can make a claim for a qualifying service determination?

VEA?

A claim for a qualifying service determination may be made by:    

• a veteran,
• a person applying for a partner service pension to establish whether their partner has qualifying service,
• another person on behalf and with the approval of the veteran or partner of a veteran, or
• another person approved by the Commission, if the veteran is unable because of a physical or mental incapacity.

A proper claim must be lodged before a decision can be made regarding qualifying service.

Proof of identity

In order to identify a claimant and/or the relationship of the claimant to the veteran, a proof of identity check must be made on all new claims.    

Reasons for claiming qualifying service

There are several reasons for a person to make a claim for qualifying service, prior to claiming service pension. These reasons include:

• testing eligibility (e.g. planning for retirement),
•  widows on age pension at Centrelink applying for transfer to partner service pension,
• partner on age pension at Centrelink applying for transfer to partner service pension, where the veteran is not in receipt of service pension, or
• as part of the eligibility criteria for one the following benefits:

•  Gold Card, or
•  Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Effect on subsequent claims for pension or benefit

If the Commission determines that a person has qualifying service, any subsequent claims for pension or benefit made by that person would not require re-investigation of their qualifying service.