Policy

Monitoring

Streamlined Access to Incapacity Payments allows a veteran to utilise rehabilitation support for up to 12 months following their return to work.

Streamlined Access to Incapacity Payments should be considered for specific clients:

Streamlined Access to Incapacity Payments is designed to support clients who are in the process of accepting an offer of employment and preparing to return to work. The policy can provide clients with  confidence they can attempt a return to employment with full rehabilitation support, and if they not successful, their incapacity payments can be reinstated.

To be eligible for the additional assistance the client must:

Cardiorespiratory impairment generally results from conditions or diseasses that affect the function of a person's heart or lungs.

This Chapter is retained for information purposes only, as the Pilot ceased on 30 June 2023. 

Case study 1: Jessica’s nordic walking lessons

The following example shows a decision made about the appropriateness of nordic walking lessons for Jessica.

If incapacity payments are determined to be payable and the veteran put into regular payment, Veteran Payment is to be cancelled from the first regular incapacity payment.

For further details about restrictions on dual payments, please see: Payment.

Any amount of Veteran Payment paid to a current or former member of the ADF  for the same period as incapacity payments are received will be recovered from the incapacity payment arears amount only.

Section 17 of the instrument provides for extension of veteran payment in special circumstances:

The Commission may extend the period of payment for a veteran payment to a person if the Commission is satisfied that there are special circumstances.

The intent of this provision in the instrument is that no veteran is left vulnerable.

Ultimately, the currency of a piece of medical evidence is entirely dependent on context. There is no set policy rule about how current a piece of evidence must be in order to be utilised for assessment purposes. Instead, the delegate must use their discretion, and, where necessary, liaise with the client and medical professionals to determine whether a piece of medical evidence is appropriate for the case.