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DVA FACTS
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Disability Pensions and Allowances
Overview of Disability Pensions and Allowances
Purpose
This fact sheet provides an
overview of disability pensions and allowances available under the Veterans' Entitlements Act
1986 (VEA).
What is disability pension?
Disability pension is paid to
compensate veterans for injuries or diseases caused or aggravated by war
service or certain defence service rendered on behalf of
What about service rendered on or after 1 July 2004?
If
you have an injury or disease caused or aggravated by service rendered on or
after 1 July 2004, you may be eligible to claim for disability compensation
under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
(MRCA). Information on disability compensation
available under the MRCA is contained in Fact Sheet MRC 01: Overview
of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Fact Sheet MRC 02: Compensation Coverage for
Members and Former Members of the Australian Defence Force.
Who is eligible for disability pension?
You may be eligible for a
disability pension if you suffer from an injury or disease that is a result of
service rendered:
·
in the Australian
Defence Force during a time of conflict before 1 July 2004;
·
in the Australian
Merchant Navy during World War 2;
·
as a United Nations
Peacekeeper representing
·
in the Australian
Defence Force whilst undertaking hazardous service overseas before 1 July 2004;
·
as one of certain
civilians who assisted the Australian Defence Force in wartime before 1 July
2004; or
·
in the Australian
Defence Force (after completion of 3 years qualifying period, unless medically
discharged) from 7 December 1972 to 6 April 1994. (If you enlisted before 22 May 1986 you can
also claim for injuries or diseases resulting from service after 6 April 1994
up to 30 June 2004).
Who is eligible for disability pension? continued
You may also be entitled to a disability pension if you
served with a Commonwealth or allied country and you lived in
How much is the disability pension?
The amount of disability
pension paid depends on the level of incapacity you suffer as a result of your
war-caused or defence-caused injuries and diseases. Generally speaking, the more incapacitated
you are, the higher the amount of pension you will receive.
There are four “categories”
of disability pension payable:
·
General Rate, payable
in multiples of 10% up to 100%;
·
Extreme Disablement
Adjustment (for over 65 years of age only);
·
Intermediate Rate; and
·
Special Rate.
How do I claim disability pension?
You need to lodge a D2582 “Claim for Disability Pension and/or Application
for Increase in Disability Pension”
form. Information about where to get a form
and how to lodge a claim is contained in the Fact Sheet DP 18: How to Claim Disability
Pensions.
What is a disability pension allowance?
A disability pension allowance is a fortnightly allowance paid to pensioners to provide financial assistance, compensation or reward for valour.
Types of disability pension allowances
Applications can be made under the VEA in respect of the following allowances:
· Attendant allowance;
· Clothing allowance;
· Loss of earnings allowance;
· Recreation transport allowance;
· Temporary incapacity allowance; and
· Vehicle assistance scheme (including a running and maintenance allowance).
Attendant allowance
Attendant allowance may be paid to an eligible veteran to assist with the cost of an attendant to help with such things as feeding, bathing, dressing and other activities of daily living. The attendant may be the veteran’s spouse.
Who is eligible for attendant allowance?
The allowance is payable where a veteran has certain war or defence-caused amputations, blindness, or injury or disease affecting the brain and spinal cord system, or has a condition similar in effect or severity.
Clothing allowance
Clothing allowance may be paid to an eligible veteran to help offset the cost of modifications, or wear and tear and damage, to clothing.
Who is eligible for clothing allowance?
The allowance is payable where a veteran has certain war or defence-caused amputations or blindness. It is also payable where treatment for any war or defence-caused disability causes exceptional wear and tear or damage to clothing.
Loss of earnings allowance
Loss of earnings allowance compensates an eligible veteran for salary, wages or earnings lost in certain circumstances.
Who is eligible for loss of earnings allowance?
The allowance is payable where a veteran:
· receives treatment for a war or defence-caused disability;
· has used part or all of employer provided sick leave for a war or defence-caused disability, and now has no benefits to cover an absence for another illness; or
· attends an appointment arranged by the Department for the investigation of a claim for disability pension.
Recreation transport allowance
Recreation transport allowance is paid to an eligible veteran suffering from severe war or defence-caused disabilities that affect mobility, to promote access to recreational activities.
Who is eligible for recreation transport allowance?
The allowance is payable where a veteran has certain
war or defence-caused amputations or blindness, or is handicapped to a similar
extent to these disabilities.
What is temporary incapacity allowance and who is eligible?
Temporary incapacity allowance is paid to an eligible veteran who is employed and has undergone treatment in a hospital or institution for a war or defence-caused disability and has been off work for a continuous period of at least 28 days. There is no requirement that income is actually lost.
Vehicle assistance scheme
The Vehicle Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to an eligible veteran to purchase a new motor vehicle. Thereafter, assistance may also be provided to purchase a replacement vehicle or make modifications to a vehicle. The veteran must be able to drive the vehicle or be able to be driven in the vehicle. A running and maintenance allowance is payable towards the costs of registering and insuring the vehicle.
Who is eligible for the vehicle assistance scheme?
The assistance is payable where a veteran has certain war or defence-caused amputations, complete paraplegia or a condition similar in effect or severity to certain amputations.
How much are these allowances?
The allowances are paid at different rates and details are contained in the Fact Sheet DP43: Disability Pension and War Widow’s/Widower’s Pension Rates and Allowances.
How do I apply for an allowance?
You need to lodge an application form for the particular allowance. For more information about each allowance and application form see the following Facts Sheets:
·
Attendant
Allowance: DP 72
·
Clothing
Allowance: DP 73
·
Loss
of Earnings Allowance: DP 75
·
Recreation
Transport Allowance: DP 76
·
Temporary
Incapacity Allowance: DP 77
·
Vehicle
Assistance Scheme: DP 78
Oral advice
While we make every effort to
ensure that you are given accurate information, it is important that you seek
written confirmation of oral information or advice before making any major
decisions based on that information.
We continually strive to
improve the level of service you receive and make this request as an added
safeguard for you.
Other fact sheets
Other fact sheets related to
this topic include:
·
How to Claim Disability Pensions: DP 18
·
General Rate: DP 28
·
Special and Intermediate Rates: DP 29
·
Extreme Disablement Adjustment: DP 30
·
Disability Pension and War Widow’s/Widower’s Pension Rates and
Allowances: DP 43
·
Overview of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004: MRC 01
·
Compensation Coverage for Members and Former Members of the
Australian Defence Force: MRC 02
·
Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA): IS 19
More information
All DVA fact sheets are available on request from any DVA office or on the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm.
If you need more information about this topic, contact your nearest DVA office or visit the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au.
You can telephone DVA for the cost of a local call* on:
133 254 – general inquiries
1800 555 254 – non-metropolitan callers
*If you use a mobile phone, calls may be more costly. You are advised to use a normal phone (ie a landline phone) when ringing these numbers.