Policy

Notification of a Death

For further information please see CLIK Chapter 8.1.2 Notification of a Death.

Ability to backdate Veteran Payment following a suspension for non-compliance

VEA 45SB VEA, Veterans’ Entitlements (Veteran Payment) Instrument 2018 (18)

When resuming Veteran Payment, the payment is able to be backdated so the current or former member of the ADF and their partner are able to receive Veteran Payment for the time the payment was suspended.

Section 45SB VEA, Veterans’ Entitlements (Veteran Payment) Instrument 2018.

If a current or former member of the ADF is capable of participating in rehabilitation, it is a condition of payment of Veteran Payment that they participate in a DVA rehabilitation program, or for current members an ADF rehabilitation program.  A letter, or a medical certificate from the member’s doctor stating that they are not capable of participating in a rehabilitation plan is sufficient evidence as a requirement not to participate.

To continue to pay Veteran Payment a medical certificate must be provided within four weeks of making the declaration of incapacity for work, stating the current or former member of the ADF is unable to work more than eight hours per week.  The certificate may be issued by the member or former member’s GP or specialist.

If a medical certificate is not provided within the four weeks, DVA may suspend Veteran Payment.  Once a medical certificate is provided, the payments will resume, with payment provided for the time Veteran Payment was suspended.

Following the determination of the final claim for a mental health condition, Veteran Payment will continue for 42 days (6 weeks), or until an alternative payment is in place, for example, incapacity payments. In special circumstances, this 42-day period may be extended by the Commission. Special circumstances include:

Rehabilitation requirement

Once DVA’s Income Support team has determined that the client will receive Veteran Payment, there is a rehabilitation requirement, which means that the person must undertake a whole-of-person rehabilitation assessment to assess their capacity for rehabilitation.

Centrelink clearances are required where current or former members or their partners have declared that he or she is currently receiving a Social Security pension, payment or benefit.

If a Centrelink clearance has been requested fortnightly payments are made and arrears are held pending the receipt of a Centrelink Clearance.

The same compliances and obligations apply to veteran payment as all other income support payments. Additionally the primary recipient of Veteran Payment must advise if they become capable of working more than eight hours per week.

For further information please see CLIK Part 12 Compliances and Obligations.

Eligibility for Veteran Payment

Veterans lodging claims under either the DRCA or the MRCA for a mental health condition can be considered for the veteran payment.  There are a number of other eligibility conditions for the veteran payment, including: