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Special rules applying to some clean energy underlying payments and benefits

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Last amended: 11 July 2022

Special rules for service pension and age pension

Where a person's rate of service pension or age pension is nil, but would be greater than nil if the person had not elected to receive quarterly pension supplement, the person is taken to be receiving a rate greater than nil and is eligible for a clean energy advance (CEA).    

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Special rules for Disability Compensation Payment and war widow(er)'s pension

Where a person's rate of Disability Compensation Payment or war widow(er)'s pension is nil, but would be greater than nil if the pension was not offset by other compensation received, the person is taken to be receiving a rate greater than nil and is eligible for a CEA.    

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Special rules for MRCA wholly dependent partner payment

Where a person's rate of MRCA wholly dependent partner payment is nil because the person has taken a lump sum, the person is eligible for a CEA. However, if the person has since recovered damages from the Commonwealth or a potentially liable member through common law action, the person is not eligible for a CEA.

If the person's rate of weekly compensation is nil, but would be greater than nil if damages received as a result of a successful common law claim being launched or taken over by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) were not deducted, the person is eligible for a CEA.    

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Special rules for MRCA special rate disability pension

To be eligible for a CEA, a person must have elected to receive MRCA special rate disability pension (SRDP). A person who is SRDP eligible but has not elected to receive SRDP is not eligible for a CEA.

If the rate of SRDP is nil, but would be greater than nil if the sum of any permanent impairment payment and any Commonwealth superannuation payable to the person was disregarded, the person is eligible for a CEA.    

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Special rules for MRCA permanent impairment payment

Where a person's rate of MRCA permanent impairment payment is nil because the person has taken a lump sum, the person is eligible for a CEA.

If the rate of weekly compensation is nil, but would be greater than nil if damages received as a result of a successful claim being launched or taken over by the MRCC were not being deducted from the weekly compensation, the person is eligible for a CEA.

If the rate of weekly compensation is nil, but would be greater than nil if compensation paid under the VEA or the SRCA was disregarded in working out the rate of weekly compensation, the person is eligible for a CEA.    

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A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.

An age pension is a means tested income support payment paid by Centrelink  or DVA on behalf of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The majority of age pensions are paid through Centrelink. However, eligible veterans  who have an accepted disability or receive a Disability Compensation Payment from DVA, but do not have qualifying service, may be paid their age pension by DVA. Their partner may also receive their age pension from DVA, if eligible.

 

 

The pension supplement is added to a person's maximum basic rate. The pension supplement is calculated as a 'combined couple' rate. The 'not a member of a couple' rate is 66.33% of the 'combined couple' rate. The member of a couple rate is 50% of the combined couple rate. From 1 July 2010, the minimum pension supplement amount will be able to be claimed on a quarterly basis rather than on a fortnightly basis.

 

 

The clean energy advance is an upfront lump sum payment, paid in respect of a clean energy advance period. It is designed to help recipients meet the cost of living impact of the carbon price. Clean energy advance payments are excluded income for income support purposes.    

 

 

A form of pension that is paid to the partner of a veteran where the veteran has died as a result of war service or eligible Defence ServiceWar widow's/widower's pension is also paid to the partner of a veteran whose death was not war caused if the veteran was a ex-prisoner of war or if the veteran was receiving Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) Rate, Special Rate (T&PI) or a rate increased in respect of certain war-caused injury or disease.

 

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988