DVA Dependant Payments: Financial Support for Families of Veterans

Dec 27, 2024

The Severe Impairment Payment (SIP), previously referred to as the Eligible Young Persons Payment (EYP), is a financial support measure provided under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). This payment is specifically designed to assist young dependants of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who have passed away due to service-related causes or who are living with severe impairments.

The payment reflects the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) commitment to ensuring that young Australians impacted by service-related circumstances have the financial stability to pursue education, training, and independent living. As of today, December 27, 2024, the current amount payable for the Severe Impairment Payment is $108,527.57.

What is the Severe Impairment Payment?

Under section 80 of the MRCA, where the total degree of impairment suffered is at least 80 impairment points, you are entitled to an additional payment for each eligible young person who is dependent on you for economic support on the relevant date.

Key Points of Additional Compensation

Veterans may be eligible for an additional lump sum payment for each dependant who qualifies as an eligible young person, but only if the following criteria are met:

Impairment Level:
- The veteran must have been assessed with 80 or more impairment points, whether from a single service-related condition or a combination of conditions.
Permanent Impairment (PI) Compensation:
- The veteran must have already been paid or entitled to receive PI compensation for their service-related injury or condition.
Eligible Young Person:
- The dependant must meet the criteria of being both a dependant of the veteran and an eligible young person at the relevant date.

What is the Relevant Date?

The relevant date is crucial in determining both eligibility and the amount payable. It is defined as the later of the following:

The date when the Commission determines that the veteran’s impairment level reached 80 or more impairment points.
If a single service-related condition caused the veteran to reach 80 impairment points, the relevant date will be the date the liability claim for that condition was lodged.
If more than one condition contributed to the veteran reaching 80 impairment points, the relevant date will be when the most recent liability claim was lodged for one of those conditions.

Who is a Dependant?

A dependant is anyone who is either fully or partially dependent on the veteran for economic support, or would be dependent but for the veteran’s service-related incapacity. This includes:

Biological, step, or foster children
Grandchildren
Parents
Partners

Who is an Eligible Young Person?

An eligible young person is someone who:

Was conceived or born alive on or before the relevant date, or has adoption proceedings in place by that date.
Is either under 16 years old, or between 16 and 25 years old, in full-time education and not working full-time.

What Amount is Payable?

The amount payable under Section 80 is indexed annually, meaning the payment amount is adjusted in line with inflation and other factors. The applicable rate will be based on the date the delegate confirms that compensation is payable. For up-to-date payment rates, you can refer to the ‘Payment Rates’ section in the Compensation and Support Reference Library. As of today, December 27, 2024, the current amount payable for the Severe Impairment Payment is $108,527.57.

How KSC Can Help

At KSC, we are committed to helping veterans and their families navigate the often complex DVA claims process. If you or your loved ones are entitled to additional compensation due to severe impairment and dependant payments, we can assist by: