Clean Energy Payments. Purpose This factsheet provides information on the Clean Energy Advance, part of the Government s Household Assistance Package.

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1 Clean Energy Payments DVA Factsheet CEP02 Purpose This factsheet provides information on the, part of the Government s Household Assistance Package. What is the Household Assistance Package? The Household Assistance Package provides financial assistance to members of the veteran and defence community to help meet the cost of living impact of the carbon price. It includes a which is payable to eligible recipients of certain DVA payments. Who is eligible? You may be eligible for a if you receive one or more of the underlying payments: service pension; age pension paid by DVA; war widow(er) s pension; disability pension; seniors supplement; Military Rehabilitation Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) special rate disability pension; MRCA permanent impairment payment; MRCA wholly dependent partner payment; Veterans Children Education Scheme (VCES) fortnightly education allowance; or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) fortnightly education allowance. What is the? The is an upfront lump sum payment, representing an advance on the regular financial assistance for eligible recipients. It is designed to meet initial costs associated with the commencement of the carbon price on 1 July The full for service pensioners, age pensioners paid by DVA, seniors supplement recipients, war widow(er) pensioners, disability pensioners, MRCA wholly dependent partners and MRCA special rate disability pension recipients covers a nine-month period from 1 July 2012 to 19 March For MRCA permanent impairment payment recipients and recipients of VCES and MRCAETS fortnightly education allowances, the advance covers a twelve-month period to 30 June Recipients of VCES and MRCAETS fortnightly education allowances receive a second sixmonth advance in July 2013 covering the period to 31 December CEP02 - Last updated: 1 Jul 13 Page 1 of 5

2 On-going payments, the Clean Energy Supplement, will commence at the end of the period covered by the, between March 2013 and January 2014 depending on the type of payment. What if I begin receiving an underlying payment after the commencement of the carbon price? If you commence receiving an underlying payment after 1 July 2012 but before the relevant Clean Energy Supplement commences, you may be eligible for a pro-rata Clean Energy Advance. Your pro-rata amount will be calculated based on the number of days between the date you became eligible and the commencement date of the Clean Energy Supplement. What if my circumstances change after the commencement of the carbon price? If your circumstances change in a manner that makes you eligible for a higher amount of than what you originally received, you will be eligible for a top-up payment. The change of circumstances must occur before the relevant Clean Energy Supplement commences. Top-up payments are calculated on a daily basis in the same manner as pro-rata payments. Do I need to lodge a claim? No. There is no need to lodge a claim. The is automatically paid to eligible recipients. Are the payments assessable or taxable income? No. The is excluded from the income used to assess income support payments and will not form part of your taxable income. Can I receive more than one payment? Yes. You may receive assistance through a number of avenues. For example, a disability pensioner who also receives a service pension will receive two separate Clean Energy Advance payments. Payment for people outside Australia The is only payable to Australian residents currently in Australia. If you are outside Australia when you commence receiving an underlying payment, you will receive your advance on your return to Australia. If you are outside Australia for more than 6 weeks and return before the commencement of the relevant Clean Energy Supplement, the advance will be a pro-rata amount from the date of your return. In order to receive the advance, you must notify DVA of your return to Australia. CEP02 - Last updated: 1 Jul 13 Page 2 of 5

3 How much is the? The generally represents a 1.7% increase in your pension payment. The following table shows the amounts of for VCES and MRCAETS fortnightly education allowance recipients for the period 1 July 2013 to 31 December Pro-rata and top-up amounts are calculated on an individual basis. (six month advance) Secondary student, living at home VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $20.00 VCES and MRCAETS (16-17 years old) $60.00 VCES and MRCAETS (18 years or older) $70.00 Secondary student, living away from home VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $80.00 Secondary student, homeless VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $ Tertiary student, living at home VCES and MRCAETS (16-17 years old) $60.00 VCES and MRCAETS (18 years or older) $70.00 Tertiary student, living away from home Student, double orphan VCES (under 16 years old) $60.00 VCES (16-20 years old) $ VCES (21 years or older) $ CEP02 - Last updated: 1 Jul 13 Page 3 of 5

4 The following tables show the amounts of for the full period from 1 July 2012 for affected payments. (nine month advance) Service and age pension (single) $ Service and age pension (partnered - each) $ War widows/widowers $ % - 100% disability pension $ Extreme Disablement Adjustment rate $ Intermediate rate $ Special rate $ MRCA Special Rate Disability Pension $ MRCA wholly dependent partners $ Seniors supplement (single) $ Seniors supplement (partnered each) $ (twelve month advance) MRCA permanent impairment payments $ Secondary student, living at home VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $30.00 VCES and MRCAETS (16-17 years old) $ VCES and MRCAETS (18 years or older) $ Secondary student, living away from home VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $ Secondary student, homeless VCES and MRCAETS (under 16 years old) $ Tertiary student, living at home VCES and MRCAETS (16-17 years old) $ VCES and MRCAETS (18 years or older) $ Tertiary student, living away from home Student, double orphan VCES (under 16 years old) $ VCES (16-20 years old) $ VCES (21 years or older) $ CEP02 - Last updated: 1 Jul 13 Page 4 of 5

5 Other assistance There is a range of other assistance being provided under the Household Assistance Package including: A new Essential Medical Equipment Payment. For more information, contact DVA on the phone numbers or address at the end of this Factsheet or visit A new Low Income Supplement and a Single Income Family Supplement. For more information, visit Changes to personal income tax rates from 1 July For more information, visit Further information about the Household Assistance Package can be found by calling or visit Disclaimer The information contained in this Factsheet is general in nature and does not take into account individual circumstances. You should not make important decisions, such as those that affect your financial or lifestyle position, e.g. retirement, on the basis of information contained in this Factsheet. Where you are required to lodge a written claim for a benefit, you must take full responsibility for your decisions prior to the written claim being determined. You should seek confirmation in writing of any oral advice you receive from DVA relating to complex or important matters. Other Factsheets Other factsheets related to this topic include: CEP 01 Clean Energy Supplement CEP 03 Essential Medical Equipment Payment More information All DVA Factsheets are available from DVA offices, and on the DVA website at DVA General Enquiries telephone number: (metro) or FreeCall (regional callers). Use a normal landline phone if you can. Mobile phone calls may cost you more. You can send an to DVA at: GeneralEnquiries@dva.gov.au CEP02 - Last updated: 1 Jul 13 Page 5 of 5