Veteran Payment
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  1. What is Veteran Payment?
  2. Eligibility
  3. How much you can receive
  4. How to apply
  5. What you need to tell us

You may receive an interim payment while you wait for us to assess your claim for a mental health condition under the MRCA.

The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) has closed to new claims. If you made a claim under the DRCA before 1 July 2026, your claim will be considered under the DRCA, and you may be eligible to receive the Veteran Payment.

All new claims are considered under the MRCA.

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What is Veteran Payment?

Veteran Payment is an interim payment that you may receive while we assess your claim for a mental health condition under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).

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Eligibility

You may receive Veteran Payment if you meet all of the following:

  • have submitted an Initial Liability claim for a mental health condition
  • cannot work more than 8 hours a week
  • are below Social Security Age Pension age on the day you lodged the claim for the mental health condition
  • meet the residency requirements
  • are in Australia when you lodged the claim for the mental health condition
  • are below the income and assets test thresholds.

You must participate in a rehabilitation program if you are able to. Your rehabilitation coordinator will arrange this for you.

Current partners

You may be eligible to receive Veteran Payment as a partner if you meet the following criteria:

Go to Your relationship status for information on what is considered a partner.

Other government payments

You can receive Veteran Payment and the Family Tax Benefit at the same time.

You cannot receive Veteran Payment and any of the following payments at the same time:

If you choose to receive Veteran Payment instead of your existing income support payment, you will not receive a Pensioner Concession Card.

You may be eligible for the Low Income Health Care Card. You will need to apply through Services Australia for this.

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How much you can receive

How much you receive will depend on both:

The level of income and assets does not include your principal place of residence that you own. Your relationship status affects whether you receive the singles rate or couples rate of Veteran Payment.

You can find the current rates in our summary of pension rates, limits and allowances page.

In March and September each year, the payment rate may increase. Rate increases are to keep up with the cost of living and average wages.

Veteran Payment is a taxable payment and is assessable income for income tax purposes.

If you are permanently blind, you can receive the maximum rate of Veteran Payment, regardless of your income and assets.

Other benefits

If your Veteran Payment has been granted, you may also be eligible for other benefits, including:

If you receive the Veteran Payment, you cannot get the Pensioner Concession Card or the Energy Supplement.

When the payment stops

Veteran Payment will stop 42 days after we determine your claim for a mental health condition.

  • If your claim for a mental health condition is approved, we will move you to an appropriate benefit or payment.
  • If your claim for a mental health condition is declined, we will help you transition to an appropriate Services Australia payment where applicable.
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How to apply

Step 1: To apply for Veteran Payment, you must first submit an Initial Liability claim for a mental health condition.

Note: You will only be able to submit a claim for Veteran Payment in MyService if you have submitted your claim for Initial Liability in MyService.

Step 2: Apply for Veteran Payment

  • Once you have submitted your claim for Initial Liability of a mental health condition in MyService, you will be prompted to submit a claim for Veteran Payment. Prompts appear on the Initial Liability claim submission screen, the MyService homepage and the Claims and applications screen.
  • You can follow instructions at How to apply for Veteran Payment in MyService.
  • If you wish to submit your claim via paper, you can complete: Application for Veteran Payment.

You will need to provide:

  • a medical certificate stating you cannot work more than 8 hours per week
    • your GP can provide this
    • you have up to 4 weeks to provide this after Veteran Payment starts
  • your tax file number
  • proof of identity documents (for paper claims only).

Help with your application

You’re not alone. DVA offers a range of supports to help throughout the claim process:

  • contact us: for all DVA claims and general enquiries, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • register for free, personalised support: connect with specially trained DVA staff through the Claims Lodgement Assistant program
  • visit a DVA office: ex-service members can get help in person at their nearest DVA office using the location finder
  • contact a Veteran Support Officer (VSO): current-serving members can arrange an appointment at a Defence base near them, by emailing VSO@dva.gov.au
  • access advocacy services: learn about what free services may be available to you from trained advocates
  • appoint a representative: choose someone to enquire or act on your behalf by following the instructions at How to apply for representation in MyService.
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What you need to tell us

You must tell us about any changes to your circumstances that may affect your rate of payment.

  • If you live in Australia, you must tell us within 14 days of the change occurring.
  • If you live overseas or receive the remote area allowance, you must tell us within 28 days of the change occurring.

This ensures your payment is assessed correctly.

You must tell us if:

  • your residential situation changes (such as you move house or your rent changes)
  • your relationship status changes (such as you start a de facto relationship, or you separate from your partner)
  • you move or travel overseas
  • you receive the maximum rate Veteran Payment, and your income exceeds the income-free amount or your assets exceed the assets value limit
  • you receive a reduced rate of Veteran Payment, and your income or assets exceed the limits stated in our most recent letter to you about your Veteran Payment.

What happens to payments when someone dies

Your eligible partner will continue to receive Veteran Payment at the single rate for 42 days after your death.

If your partner dies while you are receiving Veteran Payment, we will continue the payment. You will receive the payment at the single rate for as long as you remain eligible.

You can also contact Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling for support.

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