13.2.6.3 Orphans
Single and double orphans under the VEA
See paragraph 3.6A of the VCES Instrument regarding double orphans
A small proportion of applicants for an education allowance are orphans (i.e. the veteran’s death has been accepted as war caused/service related or the veteran died whilst on T&PI, EDA etc.)
Such students have a potential eligibility for Single Orphan Dependant Pension or Double Orphan Dependant Pension as well as the Pharmaceutical Allowance/Veterans Supplement and a DVA Gold Card entitlement.
Whilst the student is under 16 years of age, education allowances can be granted concurrently with Single Orphan Pension (SOP) and Double Orphan Pension (DOP) (and Pharmaceutical Allowance/Veterans Supplement).
However, from age 16, SOP and DOP are not payable concurrently with other Australian Government student assistance (e.g. the VCES allowances, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children) or income support benefits (e.g. Disability Support Pension). Thus the student/guardian may choose to receive SOP or DOP instead of an education allowance.
The Pharmaceutical Allowance/Veterans Supplement and Gold Card entitlement continues, but only while the child is undertaking full time education and is under 25 years of age.
A student/guardian can receive SOP or DOP concurrently with the Family Tax Benefit (FTB), even if the student is over the age of 16.
Orphans under the MRCA
Under the MRCA, the following compensation is available to an eligible young person on their veteran parent’s death:
- A tax-free lump sum compensation payment;
- A weekly payment;
- A Repatriation Health Card for all conditions (Gold Card) and
- A MRCA supplement payment.
This assistance is available concurrently with the Education Schemes’ allowance or other Australian Government student assistance (e.g. the VCES allowances, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children) or FTB, regardless of the student’s age.