Section 319 specifies that a claims for compensation can be made in writing or orally (i.e. that he or she is seeking some form of compensation under the MRCA). Note that a claim for compensation which is made orally by the claimant will be dealt with in the same manner as claims that have been made in writing. Previously, if a member or former member contacted the Department and indicated they were seeking compensation for their accepted conditions they would be required to put this into writing prior to the claim being treated as valid under the MRCA. However, an individual is now able to advise they wish to claim for compensation in one of the following ways:
- An application through the Department’s ‘MyService’ online claiming portal; or
- A tick in one of the boxes at question 25 on the MRCA paper claim form D2051; or
- An oral indication to the Department that the claimant is seeking some form of compensation under the MRCA; or
- The claimant's signature on the needs assessment; or
- A written request for compensation.
No compensation is payable until DVA has received a claim by one of the above mechanisms.