DVA FACTS
DP29

Types of Disability Pensions

Special and Intermediate Rates

 

Purpose

This fact sheet provides a brief description of the Special Rates (totally and permanently incapacitated – T&PI, temporarily totally incapacitated – TTI, and blinded) and the Intermediate Rate of Disability Pension.

 

What are the Special and Intermediate Rates of Disability Pension.

A disability pension is paid to compensate veterans for injuries or diseases caused or aggravated by war service or certain defence service on behalf of Australia.

 

The Special Rate takes into account incapacity from war or defence caused disabilities, that alone, are so great that a veteran cannot undertake any employment totalling more than 8 hours per week.  The Intermediate Rate takes into account incapacity from war or defence caused disabilities, that alone, are so great that a veteran cannot undertake any employment other than on a part-time or intermittent basis.  These rates are not payable if a veteran is prevented from working by any other factor.

 

If a veteran has reached 65 years of age, additional criteria apply.  The last paid work, which is precluded by the incapacity, must have commenced prior to 65 and the veteran must have been employed in it for at least 10 years. 

 

Retired veterans who are 65 or over with very severe disabilities might be entitled to an Extreme Disablement Adjustment.   This is described in a separate fact sheet.

 

Any veteran who is blind because of war or defence caused conditions is granted a special rate pension without any reference to employment.


How much will be paid.

The Special Rate of pension is $ 997.80 per fortnight.

The Intermediate Rate of pension is $ 677.00 per fortnight.

 

If compensation for the same incapacity is received from another source an adjustment will be made to the amount of disability pension paid.

 

Additionally, all claims and applications for increase that are lodged on or after 1 July 2004 that result in the granting or continuance of Special or Intermediate Rate, will be adjusted if any lump sum permanent impairment compensation has been received under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.  This applies to lump sum compensation for any incapacity, irrespective of whether the incapacity is included in the pension assessment.

 

How do I apply for an increase?

Veterans receiving an Intermediate rate pension who believe that their war or defence caused conditions have worsened can apply for an increase in their rate of pension.

 

Veterans receiving pension at the Temporarily Totally Incapacitated rate may also lodge an application for increase in their rate of pension.

 

Information on how to apply is provided in the fact sheet DP 24: How to Apply for an Increase in Disability Pension.

 

Special rate veterans are receiving the maximum rate of compensation possible.

 

More about the pension

Pension rates are indexed twice yearly. The Special and Intermediate rates, are indexed in the same manner as the service pension, that is, with reference to both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE). Any increases from indexation are paid automatically, you do not need to contact the Department.
More about the pension, continued

Disability pensions are not taxed.  You do not need to declare it as income in your tax return. 

 

A disability pension is not counted as income for the service pension income test.  However it is counted as income when assessing eligibility for rent assistance (an addition to the service pension) and for working out how much rent assistance is to be paid.

 

The disability pension is counted as income for the Age and Disability Support pensions and other benefits claimed under the Social Security Act.  However, if a person’s social security payment is reduced or not payable because disability pension is included in the assessment of that payment, the Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) may be payable.

 

Information on DFISA is provided in Fact Sheet IS 19: Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) – Age Pension Administered by DVA.

 

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

·   Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) – Age Pension Administered by DVA: IS 19

·   How to Apply for an Increase in Disability Pension: DP 24

·   General Rate: DP 28

·   Extreme Disablement Adjustment: DP 30

·   Veterans’ Children Education Scheme:  DP45.
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.

 

Note:       *If you use a mobile phone, calls may be more costly.  You are advised to use a normal phone (a landline phone) when ringing these numbers.