Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Part VIB VEA
Last amended: What is the Prisoner of War Recognition Supplement?
The Prisoner of War Recognition Supplement (POWR Supplement) is a fortnightly payment. It is payable from 20 September 2011. The POWR Supplement will be indexed on 20 September each year, starting in 2012, in line with the Consumer Price Index.
Purpose of Prisoner of War Recognition Supplement
The POWR Supplement is a payment that provides special recognition of former surviving Australian prisoners of war (POWs), both veteran and civilian, for the severe hardships and deprivations they experienced. It is specifically targeted at and only payable to eligible surviving POWs.
Eligibility criteria for Prisoner of War Recognition Supplement
The POWR Supplement is paid to eligible POWs alive on 20 September 2011.
The following veterans are eligible:
- a member of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) who was interned by Germany, Italy or their allies at any time between 3 September 1939 and 11 May 1945;
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 115M(7) VEA
- a member of the ADF who was interned by the Japanese military forces between 7 December 1941 and 29 October 1945; or
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 115M(7) VEA
- a member of the ADF who was interned by the military forces of North Korea between 27 June 1950 and 19 April 1956
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 115M(7) VEA
- eligible civilians.
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 5 — C(1) VEA
The following civilians are eligible:
- a civilian who was interned or detained by the Germans, Italians or their allies at any time between 3 September 1939 and 11 May 1945, who was [glossary:domiciled:] in Australia immediately before their detention or internment; or
- a civilian who was interned or detained by the Japanese military forces between 7 December 1941 and 29 October 1945, who was domiciled in Australia immediately before their detention or internment.
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 115M(7) VEA
When is the Prisoner of War Recognition Supplement not payable?
The following are not eligible for the POWR Supplement:
- Widow/ers of those [glossary:interned:][glossary:.:]
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Prisoner of war recognition supplement
Section 115M(7) VEA
- Individuals who were imprisoned or detained during a conflict, period of hostilities or during peacekeeping operations other than World War Two or the Korean War.
- Civilians who were interned but who were not domiciled in Australia immediately before their internment.
- Members of the ADF who avoided capture (e.g. shot-down aircrews)
- Individuals who were interned by Australian forces and authorities, both in Australia and overseas e.g. enemy aliens, including civilians.
- The majority of Commonwealth or allied veterans (a very small number may be eligible).
Claims
As most eligible POWs were already known to the Department the majority did not need to submit a claim for the Supplement and have been automatically put into payment.
However, any POWs who were previously unidentified as POWs are required to claim before they can receive the POWR Supplement.
Elections not to receive the POWR Supplement
Should a POW in receipt of the Supplement not wish to continue receiving the payment they must submit a written election not to receive it. For the Supplement not to be paid on a payday the election must have been received by DVA before the start of the relevant pay period.
Upon the death of a POW
No bereavement payment of the POWR Supplement is payable to surviving partners or dependent children.
When a recipient of the supplement dies, the payment for the pension period during which the person dies is payable to the person's estate.
Should the POWR Supplement be paid for any pension periods after the period in which the POW died an overpayment may be raised.
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