Former members who are eligible for permanent impairment payments and undertake “qualifying study” may be eligible for the Centrelink Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). This supplement is intended to assist with some of the ongoing costs of study. PES is not subject to an income or assets test.
Former members qualify for the Centrelink PES if they have a dependant child and are eligible to receive, or are receiving:
Special Rate Disability Pension recipients who have a dependant child, and some veterans and their partners and widows who receive entitlements under the VEA, also qualify for PES.
The Guide to Social Security Law states that a person is undertaking “qualifying study” for PES purposes if:
The PES is a fortnightly non-means-tested payment and a part rate is payable to students undertaking a concessional study load. The current rate of PES is available on the Centrelink website at the following address:
Centrelink [4]
Eligible former members should be encouraged to contact Centrelink for further details.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/19386%23comment-form
[2] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A01285
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/53-education-entry-payment-edep
[4] http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink