Provide an introduction.
VEA – War Widows’ Pension
Introduction
These are pensions that are paid under the VEA to compensate widowed partners and dependent children of veterans who have died as a result of war service or eligible defence service. War widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension are not affected by other income, except from other compensation payments.
Who can make a claim?
The following people can claim this pension:
- a widow or widower – a person who was legally married to, or was in a de facto relationship with, an Australian veteran immediately before the veteran’s death and has not since remarried, married or entered into a de facto relationship with another person;
or - a dependent child – the natural or adopted child of a veteran, or a child who was wholly or substantially dependent on the veteran. The child must be under 16 years, or under 25 years and still undertaking full-time studies. Orphan’s pension may not be payable if the child is aged 16 years or over and is in receipt of Commonwealth educational assistance through Youth Allowance; Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme; ABSTUDY; Post-Graduate Awards Scheme; or the Veteran’s Children Education Scheme.
How do I claim?
Unless the war widow(er)’s pension and/or orphan’s pension is automatically payable, you need to complete DVA Form D2663 and return it to DVA.
DVA Forms can be obtained from your nearest DVA office or from the DVA website.
When completing the form you must state the reason you think the veteran’s death was related to service. You should provide as much information as you can about the doctors and hospitals that treated the veteran. You should also provide a copy of the veteran’s death certificate if you have it.
For more information check out this site – War Widows and Orphans Pensions
DRCA
Introduction
The DRCA is the compensation legislation that applies to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with conditions linked to service prior to 1 July 2004.
Compensation coverage under the DRCA can be provided for injuries, diseases or deaths that are linked to most peacetime ADF service between 3 January 1949 and 30 June 2004 (which includes British Nuclear Test defence service), as well as hazardous and peacekeeping service during the same period. The DRCA also covers certain periods of operational service between 7 April 1994 and 30 June 2004, including warlike and non-warlike service.
The DRCA does not cover any ADF service prior to 3 January 1949, or any period of operational service prior to 7 April 1994. These types of service are covered under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). Some members who served for 3 years continuous full-time service with service between 7 December 1972 and 7 April 1994 may have dual coverage under the VEA and DRCA for their peacetime service.
From 12 October 2017, all claims that were considered under the provisions of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) are now considered under the DRCA. All existing claims under the SRCA are now treated as claims under the DRCA. There is no change to existing entitlements or the manner in which claims under the DRCA interact with claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and/or the VEA .
All ADF service from 1 July 2004 onwards is covered under the MRCA. For more information about MRCA, see our MRCA overview page.
For more information check out this site – Overview of DRCA
MRCA
Introduction
The MRCA recognises three categories of ‘dependants’ for compensation purposes, including:
- wholly dependent partners;
- eligible young persons; and
- ‘other’ dependants.
Under the MRCA, dependants of deceased members may receive compensation when;
- liability has been accepted for the member’s death as service related; or
- the member was SRDP eligible or would have satisfied the eligibility criteria for Special Rate Disability Pension at some point; or
- the member had been assessed at 80 or more impairment points under MRCA (including VEA and DRCA conditions)
For more information check out this site – Compensation for dependants under the MRCA
Claim form – Claim for Compensation for Dependants of Deceased Members and Former Members under MRCA
Overseas Pensions
New Zealand
- Surviving Spouse or Partner Pension is a regular payment that recognises your loss of someone that had Qualifying Service. For more information check this page.
- Claim Form – Surviving Spouse or Partner Pension application information
United Kingdom
- War Widows or Widowers Pension are paid at different rates depending on your age and circumstances. The payments are tax free and can be made to an eligible bereaved wife, husband or civil partner. You may be eligible for War Widows or Widowers Pension if your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in His Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. More information is available here.
- Claim form – War Widow(er) Pension Claim Form WPS0004WWP
See this table to determine which Act(s) apply
Notes
- For service between 3 January 1949 and 7 December 1972, ADF member is covered under the DRCA only, for peacetime service; and under the VEA for operational and peacekeeping service. There was no provision for hazardous service at that time.
- Members who enlisted on or after 22 May 1986 and who did not complete 3 years continuous full-time service before 6 April 1994, but were discharged as medically unfit, may claim under the VEA.
- ‘Hazardous service’ is a service that has been declared, in writing, by the Minister of Defence, to be hazardous.
Last Updated on 22 January, 2025 by rcbicgadmin