Irrespective of whether a deceased veteran is single or a member of a couple, the rate of DCP to use for the purpose of calculating the DCBP, is the DCP plus any additional amount for the specific disability allowance, if applicable.
If the late veteran’s DCP was reduced as a result of compensation offsetting, the reduced rate is used to calculate the DCBP.
Member of a couple - after 1 January 2005
From 1 January 2005, the surviving spouse’s DCBP is equal to six times the fortnightly rate of DCP (including any specific disability allowance payable) the late veteran would have received (if they had not died), on the first pension payday after the Department became aware of their death.
From 1 July 2026, a new exception subsection to the VEA was added (121(4AA)), which allows DCP to be paid to the date of death to the estate.
Example
A veteran receiving the TPI was a member of a couple and died on 28 August 2026. The Department became aware of the death on 2 September 2026. The veteran was not receiving an additional specific disability allowance, nor was the TPI rate offset. The veteran is paid the TPI rate up to and including the date of death. The surviving spouse is entitled to a DCBP of six times the fortnightly rate.
Member of a couple - before 1 January 2005
Before 1 January 2005, the surviving spouse of a veteran receiving a DCP immediately before their death is eligible for a DCBP which is the lessor of:
- six times the fortnightly DCP rate that was payable on the first pay day after the Department became aware of the death, or
- six times the fortnightly DCP at 100% of the General Rate in force on the first pay day after the Department became aware of the death.
Member of a couple - DCP less than 100% of the General rate
The surviving spouse of a veteran receiving less than 100% of the General Rate immediately before their death is eligible for a DCBP which is the lessor of:
- six times the fortnightly DCP rate that was payable on the first pay day after the Department became aware of the death (including any reductions for compensation offsetting), or
- six times the fortnightly DCP at 100% of the General Rate in force on the first pay day after the Department became aware of the death.
Single veterans
From 1 July 2008, 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 circumstances.
The DCBP is equal to six times the fortnightly rate of DCP the late veteran would have received (if they had not died), on the first pension payday after their death.
If the late veteran’s DCP was reduced as a result of compensation offsetting, the reduced rate is used to calculate the DCBP.
Payments excluded from calculation of DCBP
The following payments should not be included in the calculation of a DCBP:
- For deaths occurring before 1 January 2005, the margin above 100% of the General Rate is not included in the DCBP calculations,
- Veterans’ Supplement,
- Energy Supplement,
- Prisoner of War Supplement,
- Service Pensions,
- Income Support Supplement,
- War Widow(er)s Pension,
- Disability compensation paid by an overseas authority,
- Overseas portion of an Empire Air Training Scheme or Composite Case Pension.
Calculation of DCBP where DCP is determined payable or increased after a veteran's death
When a claim for DCP is determined after the death of a veteran, the DCBP may still be paid. The following table provides a summary of the relevant circumstances.
| If... | And... | And... | Then... |
| There is a surviving partner | The DCBP was (a) calculated and paid based on the previous DCP rate or (b) was not paid as the late veteran was not in receipt of DCP rate | The posthumous determination for the claim received within 12 weeks of the veteran's death increased the rate of DCP | DCBP must be calculated in respect of the new increased rate of DCP. The previous DCBP calculated on the old DCP rate and paid must be subtracted from the current DCBP |
| There is a surviving partner | The DCBP was calculated and paid based on the previous DCP rate | The posthumous determination for the claim received within 12 weeks of the veteran's death (a) continues the DCP or (b) reduces the DCP | There is no change to the DCBP |
| There is a surviving partner | The DCBP is not paid as the late veteran was not in receipt of a DCP | The posthumous determination for the claim received within 12 weeks of the veteran's death increased the rate of DCP | DCBP must be calculated in respect of the newly determined rate of DCP |
| There is no surviving partner | The previous rate of DCP was TPI or EDA | The veteran died in indigent circumstances
| The DCBP is paid to the estate of the veteran. The executor of the estate in their position as Legal Personal Representative may advise DVA of the bank account to pay the DCBP |
| There is no surviving partner | The previous rate of DCP was TPI or EDA | The veteran died with assets to cover all liabilities including funeral expenses | No DCBP is payable to the estate of the veteran |
| There is no surviving partner | The previous rate of DCP was not TPI or EDA | No DCBP is payable to the estate of the veteran |