Can you access the Veteran Payment?
If you are a veteran who has submitted a claim for a mental health condition under either the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), you may be eligible for the Veteran Payment.
The Veteran Payment is a short-term payment made available for eligible veterans if:
- you are unable to work more than eight hours a week, and
- your income and assets are under means testing limits, and
- you are below the pension age
You can access this payment while you are waiting for your mental health claim to be assessed. If you are a member of a couple, your partner may also be eligible for the Veteran Payment.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will continue to pay the Veteran Payment until your mental health condition claim has been assessed. If the claim is approved, you will move to the relevant payment or benefit. If DVA does not approve your claim for a mental health condition, you will continue to receive the Veteran Payment for 42 days after you are notified of the decision. We will also help you to apply for an appropriate Services Australia support payment if required.
Applying for the Veteran Payment is easy and should be done at the same time as you submit your Initial Liability Claim. If you are completing a claim online via MyService, you will be asked as part of the claim if you wish to apply for the Veteran Payment. If you are completing a paper form, you will be directed to complete a D9333 Veteran Payment Details form.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for the Veteran Payment, visit https://www.dva.gov.au/financial-support/income-support/support-when-you-cannot-work/veteran-payment-overview for a more comprehensive overview. Alternatively, you can call us on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or visit your closest VAN Office https://www.dva.gov.au/location-finder