Assessing the Rate Payable

External

Procedure

Family Situation and impact on pension rate

The following table outlines the rate payable according to the family situation of a person.

Reference Library – Pension Rates

If the family situation is...	Then pension is assessed at the...
not a member of a couple: never married separated divorced widowed not in a de facto relationship	single rate or not a member of a couple rate
member of a couple: married in a de facto relationship	partnered rate or member of a couple rate
member of a couple regarded as being not a member of a couple under section 5R(3) VEA: partner not a resident partner overseas and no means of support	single rate or not a member of a couple rate for the qualified partner, and the ineligible partner is not qualified to receive any payment
illness separated couple where one member or both are: indefinitely unable to live together in their home as a result of illness or infirmity and their expenses are likely to be higher as a result	single rate or not a member of a couple rate each, however, the partnered assets test and income test applies rent assistance may be paid to one or both members of a couple, if either or both are eligible
respite care couple where one member or both receiving: at least 14 consecutive days approved respite care	single rate or not a member of a couple rate each, and rent assistance is not payable
member of a couple where one member or both receiving: private respite care	partnered rate or member of a couple rate each, and rent assistance may be payable, Note: Manual calculation is required. More → Procedure Library - Partner is not receiving a rent increased pension 5.1.3/Manual Rent Assistance Assessments More → (go back)

Reassess partner's eligibility following a change in relationship status

The following table outlines what action to take regarding a former partner's entitlement to partner service pension following a notification of a change in relationship status.

If a...	Then the non-veteran partner's eligibility...	And the action required is to...
married couple separates	continues	reassess the veteran and the former partner at the not a member of a couple rate each. Note: eligibility for partner service pension will cease 12 months from separation if the partner is under pension age and Special Domestic Circumstances do not apply.
married couple divorces	for income support is lost	cancel payments of former partner refer the former partner to Centrelink to test their eligibility for a social security pension or social security benefit, and veteran should already be receiving not a member of a couple rate, unless de facto with another partner
defacto couple separates	for income support is lost	cancel payments of former partner refer the former partner to Centrelink to test their eligibility for a social security pension or social security benefit, and reassess veteran at not a member of a couple rate
veteran who is a member of a couple loses basic eligibility	for income support is lost	cancel pension assessment, that is payments of veteran and of former partner refer the veteran and the former partner to Centrelink to test their eligibility for a social security pension or social security benefit
veteran who is a member of a couple dies	continues	reassess the surviving partner at the not a member of a couple rate, from date of death of veteran, or from the end of the bereavement period , taking into account bereavement payment made and the date that death is notified. More → Procedure Library – Income Support Bereavement Payment Chapter 8.1 Income Support Bereavement Payment More → (go back)