Last amended: 1 July 2008

What is the purpose of war widow's/widower's pension?

War widow's/widower's pension is compensation for the widow or widower (including a partner) of:

• an Australian veteran (this includes an Australian mariner),
• a member of the Forces, or
• a member of a Peacekeeping Force,

whose eligible service has caused or contributed to their death.

Eligibility to apply for a war widow's/widower's pension

An application for a war widow's/widower's pension may be made by a widow or a widower of a person who has eligible service covered by the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Eligibility criteria

A war widow's/widower's pension may be granted if the person who had eligible service covered by the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986:

• has had death determined as [glossary:war-caused:] or defence-caused, or
• died as a result of an injury or disease which is accepted as [glossary:war-caused:] or defence-caused, or
• had been receiving:

• an Extreme Disablement Adjustment, or    
  More →

   

  Disability Compensation Payment Eligibility - Extreme Disablement Adjustment

  Section 4.1.4

   

  More → (go back)
• a disability compensation payment at the [glossary:Special Rate:Def Special Rate (T&PI)], or    
  More →

   

  Disability Compensation Payment Eligibility - Special Rate

  Section 4.1.6

   

  More → (go back)
• a disability compensation payment at the Temporary Special Rate, or
• a disability compensation payment at the Intermediate Rate, or
• a disability compensation payment, at an increased rate due to being a double amputee [glossary:or:] blinded, or

• had been a former Australian prisoner of war.

Composite assessment war widow

A composite assessment war widow is a war widow who receives both a war widow's pension from DVA and an overseas pension which is similar in nature to the war widow's pension paid by DVA. In this circumstance, the war widow's pension paid by DVA is reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by the overseas pension.

Composite assessment war widows may include an EATS war widow, being the widow of an Empire Air Training Scheme airman. These war widows are paid a war widow's pension by Great Britain. Where an EATS war widow is also eligible for a war widow's pension from DVA, the DVA payment is similarly reduced dollar for dollar by the overseas pension.

Pension granted automatically in some cases

An application form is not required in certain cases in which a war widow's pension is granted automatically.    

What happens to the pension on re-marriage?

Since 29 May 1984 a war widow/widower is entitled to continue to receive war widow's/widower's pension regardless of remarriage. Prior to 29 May 1984 a war widow's pension had to be relinquished on remarriage and a remarriage gratuity was paid.

From 1 January 2002 war widows whose pensions were cancelled only because the widow re-married or married on or before 28 May 1984 are entitled to have their war widow's pension reinstated.

Other benefits associated with war widow's/widower's pension

Recipients of war widow's/widower's pension receive a [glossary:Repatriation Health Card for all conditions:] (Gold Card), entitling them to a range of health care for all conditions.     

A funeral benefit may be payable to assist with the cost of the funeral for a veteran whose death has been accepted as war-caused.     

An Income Support Supplement (ISS) may be payable to war widows/widowers who satisfy the income and assets tests and residency requirements.     

See Also