Getting the right pension

The cards

If a disability pension is issued, a treatment card will also be awarded to cover the associated medical costs. There are two types of cards, the gold card and the white card.

Disability pensions are paid under the Veterans' Entitlements Act, (1986), (VEA), to compensate veterans for injuries or diseases caused or aggravated by war service or certain defence service.

More than 25,000 current and former members receive a disability pension in relation to service rendered in the past 30 years.

It is paid as a fortnightly pension payment that is calculated as a percentage rate, based on the combined medical impairment and lifestyle effects of all service related conditions.

The percentage rate depends on the level of incapacity you suffer as a result of your war-caused or defence-caused injuries and diseases. Generally, the more incapacitated you are, the higher the amount of pension you will receive.

To receive a disability pension, you must have an injury or illness that is related to your eligible service. All warlike and non-warlike service, which is determined as such by the Minister for Defence, is eligible service. Certain peacetime service is also covered, depending on your date of enlistment.

If you have service covered by both the VEA and MCRS, compensation for a specific injury or illness can only be paid from one source. That is, if you apply under both schemes, one payment will offset the other. In such situations, it is recommended that you seek advice from DVA, because some people will benefit from an MCRS lump sum payment while others will benefit from a disability pension paid for life.

Gold Card

The gold card allows the holder to access medical treatment for all their conditions, irrespective of their relation to service. It is issued when disability pension is 100%, or 50% and some service pension is received.

White Card

The white card allows the holder to access medical treatment for specific conditions, the conditions related to eligible service.

Other entitlements

In addition, someone with eligible service under the VEA may also apply to receive a white card for all malignant cancers, pulmonary tuberculosis, and post traumatic stress disorder, irrespective of whether they are related to service.

- Article provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs

• You can find out more about disability pensions by visiting the Department of Veterans' Affairs website, www.dva.gov.au, or calling DVA on ?133 254. Claim forms can also be downloaded from the website.

.