External

Legislative Authority

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
Section 98A
Section 98AA

 

Stated Current Purpose/Intent

An automatic bereavement payment is made to the widow/er of an eligible veteran, member of the Forces, member of a Peacekeeping Force, or Australian mariner, to assist the widow/er gradually to adjust his or her financial situation, and to defray costs caused by the bereavement.

A bereavement payment to the estate of a deceased single veteran previously in receipt of a special rate or Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) Disability Compensation Payment is made if the veteran died in indigent circumstances.  The bereavement payment supports the families to pay for the costs of a funeral where the deceased veteran dies without sufficient assets to pay for a funeral.

Prior to 1 January 2005, the amount of bereavement payment was the equivalent of six pension instalments up to a maximum of 100 per cent of the general rate.

From 1 January 2005, the amount of bereavement payment is the equivalent of six times the actual rate of Disability Compensation Payment.

 

Current Eligibility Criteria

 

Pensioner was a member of a couple

The deceased person must have been:

  • a member of a couple; and
  • receiving a Disability Compensation Payment.

 

Pensioner was single

The deceased person must have:

  • not been a member of a couple;
  • been receiving a special rate or EDA Disability Compensation Payment; and
  • died in indigent circumstances.

 

Notes

  1. Bereavement payments are also payable in respect of income support pensions.  In this case seven pension instalments are paid to the widow/er (see Income Support Bereavement Payment).

 

Date of Introduction

1 January 1990

 

Original Purpose/Intent

The original purpose has not changed.

 

Significant Changes in Criteria or Purpose Since Introduction
1994From 1 July 1994, the SWPA Act and Regulations were repealed and Australian mariners became eligible under the VEA on the same basis as veterans.
2005The Government increased the bereavement payment for the partners of above general rate Disability Compensation Payment recipients (including T&PI, intermediate rate and EDA veterans).  This initiative commenced on 1 January 2005.  Under the new arrangements, all bereavement payments including increased payments for deaths from 1 January 2005 are paid automatically.
2008From 1 July 2008 the Veterans' Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) Bill 2008 introduced bereavement payments to the estate of deceased single veterans previously in receipt of a special rate or EDA Disability Compensation Payment and who die in indigent circumstances.
2009Same sex partners of veterans treated the same as opposite sex de facto partners.
2022The name of Disability Pension changed to Disability Compensation Payment to better reflect the nature of the payment, in response to a Tune Review 2019 recommendation.