Member of a couple - section 98A
The surviving spouse of a deceased veteran is eligible for DCBP if, immediately before the death, the veteran was receiving:
- DCP at the General Rate,
- DCP at the Intermediate Rate,
- DCP at the Special (TPI) Rate,
- DCP at the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA).
Claims - section 98A
The surviving spouse is not required to make a claim for the DCBP, rather it is automatically payable on the next available payday.
Death of surviving spouse
The table below illustrates what happens if the spouse dies before the DCBP is paid. If the veteran and the partner die at the same time (for example in a motor vehicle accident), the elder person is deemed to have died first.
| If the spouse dies | The DCBP is | |
| A | Before the veteran | Only payable if the veteran was receiving the TPI or the EDA and died in indigent circumstances |
| B | After the veteran, but before the Department is notified of the veteran’s death | Is paid to the estate of the spouse |
| C | After the veteran, but before the Department is notified of the spouse’s death | Is paid to the estate of the veteran |
| D | At the same time as the veteran, the elder person is deemed to have died first | Paid in circumstances A, B, or C, whatever the case may be |
DCP is granted to a veteran posthumously
Where the DCP is determined payable or increased within 12 weeks of a veteran’s death, the DCBP may still be calculated and paid to the surviving spouse. For more information, please see chapter 8.2.3 of the Compensation and Support Policy Library.
Single veterans - section 98AA
The DCBP is payable to the estate of a single veteran, if:
- they were receiving the TPI or the EDA immediate before their death, and
- they died in indigent (needy) circumstances.
Indigent circumstances
A veteran may be considered to have died in indigent or needy circumstances if, for example, their estate was insufficient to cover funeral expenses. For more information, please see chapter 8.3.5 of the Compensation and Support Policy Library.
If delegates require assistance determining whether a veteran died in indigent circumstances, they may seek tailored policy advice from Benefits and Payments Policy via the Delegate Support Framework.
Claims - section 98AA
When a single veteran dies, an eligible person must make a formal claim for the DCBP. The claim must be made on the approved form and within 12 months of the veteran’s death. The approved form is available on the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/about-us/dva-forms/claim-bereavement-payment-single-veterans