BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
The Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) is a new payment being introduced from 1 July 2026, when all new claims for compensation and rehabilitation will be assessed under the improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
The ADA is similar to the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) benefit available under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).
It will provide support for veterans over pension age with a high degree of impairment due to service-caused injuries or illness once the VEA is closed to new compensation claims.
Benefits for veterans and dependants
Veterans who are eligible for the ADA will receive a Veteran Gold Card.
Eligible dependants will also have access to education assistance and compensation following the death of the veteran, including a Veteran Gold Card.
Partners of veterans who were eligible for the ADA at the time of their death and who meet the MRCA criteria of ‘Wholly Dependent Partner’ will be entitled to compensation and a Veteran Gold Card.
The children of deceased ADA veterans will also receive an eligible young person payment (if applicable) and access to the MRCA education scheme as well as a Veteran Gold Card.
Useful information
An Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) fact sheet is available on the DVA website.
Other resources to help the veteran community understand the changes from 1 July 2026 include:
- an information booklet
- more than 20 fact sheets and summaries for particular groups, including VEA veterans and their partners, DRCA veterans, and the children of veterans
- scenarios that demonstrate how the improved MRCA may impact individual circumstances
- frequently asked questions
For more information visit www.dva.gov.au/veteranslegislation
Story courtesy of Department of Veterans’ Affairs