Policy

Last amended: Written determinations required for illness separated or respite couples

Determinations by the [glossary:Commission:545] under section 5R(5) of VEA and section 5R(6) of VEA are made in writing.

Criteria for regarding a couple as illness separated

The criteria are:

(a) 2 people are members of a couple; and

(b) they are unable to live together in their home as a result of the illness or infirmity of either or both of them; and

This section explains the effect of dependent children on the assessment of income support payments.

Last amended: Commencement of the preclusion period

This section explains the assessment process and how pension rates are determined.

Introduction of GST

On 1 July 2000 all pensions, allowances and threshold amounts were increased to compensate for the introduction of the [glossary:GST:662], and the income taper rate was reduced from fifty cents to forty cents in the dollar for income support payments.    

Indexation of the MBR – Prior to 1 January 2010

Last amended: 1 July 2009

Last amended: 22 September 2009

Reduction of the pension payable

The amount of pension payable on a pension payday can be reduced because of:

• advance payment of pension, or
• recovery of overpayment or debt.

Advance payment deductions

This section contains information on the deeming provisions as they apply to various types of managed investments.

Determining the degree of incapacity

After a rounded combined impairment rating and lifestyle rating has been obtained they are combined to determine the degree of incapacity. The degree of incapacity is expressed by a number, which is a percentage.