DVA has defined the SRDP as “an alternative form of periodic compensation (instead of incapacity payments) for people whose capacity for work has been severely restricted because of conditions due to military service on or after 1 July 2004. SRDP is not automatically granted. If you are assessed as being eligible for the SRDP, you will be offered the choice between commencing SRDP or continuing to receive incapacity payments.”

For many veterans, when they receive a letter of offer to move to the SRDP, it can be confusing. What are the eligibility criteria and why would a veteran be offered an SRDP?  

Veterans who find themselves receiving Incapacity Payments may be assessed over time to receive the SRDP. 

Incapacity payments are taxed and will normally continue until the veteran reaches the required age for the Age Pension or they make the choice to move the SRDP. The criteria for accessing SRDP are based on: 

• Having an injury or disease assessed at 50 or more impairment points which are likely to continue indefinitely; and

   

• are in receipt of incapacity payments or have had your incapacity payments reduced to nil because of commonwealth superannuation offsetting or because you received a lump sum amount of incapacity payments; and

   

• are assessed as:
  • unable to undertake paid work for more than 10 hours per week; and
  • rehabilitation is unlikely to increase your capacity to undertake paid work for more than 10 hours per week.