Last amended: 7 January 2014
This section explains what is included in a bereavement payment and the different types of bereavement payments. It also covers payment arrangements in a number of circumstances that may affect how a bereavement payment is paid.
An income support bereavement payment [3] may include the following payments and allowances:
Bereavement Payments and DFISA
An income support bereavement payment does not include the following payments and allowances:
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.
ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.
Rent Assistance is an allowance which may be paid to a service pensioner, income support supplement (ISS) or veteran payment recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.
To receive rent assistance a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.
Remote area allowance is a supplementary payment added to the rate of income support pension where the pensioner's usual place of residence is situated in a remote area, and where the pensioner is physically present in the remote area.
The pension supplement is added to a person's maximum basic rate [3]. The pension supplement is calculated as a 'combined couple' rate. The 'not a member of a couple' rate is 66.33% of the 'combined couple' rate. The member of a couple rate is 50% of the combined couple rate. From 1 July 2010, the minimum pension supplement amount [3] will be able to be claimed on a quarterly basis rather than on a fortnightly basis.
The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.
Disability compensation payment (known before 2022 as disability pension), for the purposes of service pension, income support supplement and veteran payment, means:
Please note that the Disability Compensation Payment is legally a pension by way of compensation under the VEA so that concessional benefits under state, territory and local government legislation to pensioners/pensions under the VEA are not denied.
Disability compensation allowances are fortnightly allowances paid to pensioners to provide financial assistance, compensation or reward for valour.
They include :
Clothing Allowance
Decoration Allowance
Recreation Transport Allowance Sales Tax Exemption
Temporary Incapacity Allowance
Vehicle Assistance Scheme
Veterans' Childrens Education Scheme
Victoria Cross Allowance
A form of pension that is paid to the partner of a veteran where the veteran has died as a result of war service or eligible Defence Service [3]. War widow's/widower's pension is also paid to the partner of a veteran whose death was not war caused if the veteran was a ex-prisoner of war or if the veteran was receiving Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) Rate [3], Special Rate (T&PI) [3] or a rate increased in respect of certain war-caused injury or disease.
DVA may pay three different types of income support bereavement payment [3], as detailed in the table below.
Payment |
Description |
Single Pensioner Bereavement Payment More ? [8] |
This payment is made in respect of the death of a:
|
Partnered Pensioner Bereavement Payment More ? [9] |
This payment is made in respect of the death of a pensioner who is:
|
Dependent Child Bereavement Payment More ? [10] |
This payment is made in respect of the death of a dependent child [3] of a pensioner or pensioner couple. |
Part IIIB, Division 12A, Subdivision C [11] VEA - Single Pensioner Bereavement Payment
Part IIIB, Division 12A, Subdivision C [11] VEA - Partnered pensioner Bereavement Payment
Part IIIB, Division 12A, Subdivision D [11] VEA - Dependent Child Bereavement Payment
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.
ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.
The term social security pension is defined in Section 5Q(1) VEA [19] to mean:
As benefits (pensions) may change, for the most current definition access this link to the Social Security Act 1991
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401781?OpenDocument
The term social security benefit is defined in Section 5Q(1) of the VEA [19] to mean:
As benefits (pensions) may change, for the most current definition access this link to the Social Security Act 1991
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401781?OpenDocument
Respite care is care provided for one member of a couple in a nursing home or hostel on a temporary basis so that their partner can have a break from providing care. For care to be recognised as respite care under the VEA, it must be Government subsidised care provided under the Aged Care Act 1997.
A pensioner receiving such care, and their partner (a respite care couple), are entitled to be paid the single rate of pension.
For the full definition of respite care, refer to subsection 5NC(8) of the VEA [19].
Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:
Child under 16 years
A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Child 16 years or older
A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:
A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.
Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.
VEA→
If one member of a couple is paid income support by DVA and the other by Centrelink [3], the department that is paying pension to the surviving member of the couple is responsible for calculation and payment of the bereavement payment [3].
An exception to the general rule applies where a veteran who is paid disability compensation payment [3] and service pension [3] dies, and he or she is survived by a partner who is paid a social security pension [3] or social security benefit [3]. In this situation, the bereavement payment made in respect of service pension or benefit is managed by Centrelink and the Disability Compensation Bereavement Payment is managed by DVA.
More → [26]
DFISA was removed 1 January 2022. This is for historical reference only.
VEA → [27]
If DFISA [3] was payable to the deceased just prior to death, any bereavement payment payable in respect of that person was increased to take account of the DFISA amount that person was receiving.
More → [28]
VEA → [29]
Prior to 2022, some people were in receipt of a nil rate of social security payment but were receiving DFISA because their adjusted disability pension was considered income under the SSA for income test purposes. A person in this situation was entitled to the usual provisions, obligations and benefits applicable to a recipient of the relevant social security payment, including any bereavement payment provisions (see revoked provisions of subsection 23(1D) in the SSA 1991).
More → [32]
Section 53J [30] VEA - Authority to pay bereavement payment in respect of social security recipient
Section 98A [33] VEA - Authority to pay disability pension bereavement payment
Centrelink is a Government service delivery agency responsible for delivering a range of Commonwealth Government services (including social security pensions and allowances) to the Australian community through a network of more than 400 Centrelink offices.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
Disability compensation payment (known before 2022 as disability pension), for the purposes of service pension, income support supplement and veteran payment, means:
Please note that the Disability Compensation Payment is legally a pension by way of compensation under the VEA so that concessional benefits under state, territory and local government legislation to pensioners/pensions under the VEA are not denied.
A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.
The term social security pension is defined in Section 5Q(1) VEA [19] to mean:
As benefits (pensions) may change, for the most current definition access this link to the Social Security Act 1991
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401781?OpenDocument
The term social security benefit is defined in Section 5Q(1) of the VEA [19] to mean:
As benefits (pensions) may change, for the most current definition access this link to the Social Security Act 1991
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401781?OpenDocument
The information below is for historical reference only.
Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) ceased on 1 January 2022 because adjusted disability income became exempt income under the Social Security Act 1991. It was an income support payment [3] paid by DVA [3] to people whose income support payment under Social Security Law [3] was reduced, or not payable, because of the impact of adjusted disability pension [3]. DFISA was the difference between the person's existing entitlement, and what the entitlement would have been had adjusted DP been exempt, but was assessed in the calculation of rent assistance.
Last amended 19 July 2005
VEA ? [44]
If a partnered pensioner bereavement payment has been paid to the partner [3] of a deceased pensioner as a lump sum, and he or she then dies during the bereavement period [3], no amount of the bereavement payment [3] is recoverable as an overpayment.
If entitlements of bereavement payment relating to the first deceased pensioner, have not been released when the partner dies, any of those entitlements that were to be made on paydays after the death of the partner should be stopped. The payment needs to be recalculated to adjust for the partner's date of death.
If the partner dies within the bereavement period, but before the partnered pensioner bereavement payment has been paid regarding the first deceased pensioner, then the second partner to die is still eligible to be paid for pension and partnered bereavement payment but only up to and including the day of their death. Then a 14 days entitlement of single pensioner bereavement payment is also payable to the partner's estate.
More ? [45]
If both members of a couple die at the same time, the elder partner is deemed under law to have died first. The younger partner, who is deemed to have died second, is eligible to be paid a single pensioner bereavement payment. For bereavement purposes, the rate is calculated on the basis that they were a single pensioner at the time of death.
More ? [47]
If both members of a couple died on the same day, but at different times, the actual time of the death determines the order of death. The partner who died second is eligible to be paid one day of pension and one day of partnered pensioner bereavement payment in respect of the partner who died first. Then a 14 days entitlement of single pensioner bereavement payment is also payable to the estate of the partner who died second.
More ? [48]
A person's 'partner' is someone who is a member of a couple with that person.
Bereavement period, as defined in section 53H of VEA [54], in relation to a person's death, means the period of 98 days starting on the day on which the person died.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
Last amended 22 December 2010
The following rules apply when a person's pension has been cancelled due to loss of eligibility or payability [3], or when a person's pension has been suspended or limited to recover an overpayment.
The table below indicates the conditions under which a bereavement payment [3] cannot be made in respect of a person or dependent child [3].
No bereavement payment can be made if... |
and prior to the time of death... |
a single pensioner dies, |
he or she had lost eligibility for or payability of pension. |
one member of a couple dies, |
he or she had lost eligibility for or payability of pension. |
a pensioner has a dependent child who dies, |
the pensioner had lost eligibility for any additional pension in respect of that dependent child. |
a pensioner is imprisoned |
the pensioner's payment had not been redirected to a partner or child. More ? [56] |
VEA ? [57]
A bereavement payment cannot be made when an income support pension has been suspended due to imprisonment. This is because the definition of pensioner is not met where the person is no longer receiving a rate of pension. Eligibility for bereavement payment does however arise where payments have been redirected to a partner or child while the pensioner is in prison.
If both members of a couple were receiving an income support pension and one member of the couple dies, but prior to the time of death the partner of the deceased pensioner had lost eligibility for or payability of pension, a Single Pensioner Bereavement Payment will be made in respect of the deceased.
More ? [58]
If a pension should have been paid to a person during a period of loss of eligibility or loss of payability, and the person, or the person's partner, or a dependent child of the person, had died during that period, the restoration action would include calculation and payment of a bereavement payment [3].
VEA ? [59]
If a pensioner dies and at the time of death pension payments were suspended or limited because the pensioner had an overpayment, the Commission has the discretion not to pay the bereavement payment. The Commission may choose to offset the bereavement payment against the overpayment.
If a pensioner dies and at the time of death pension payments were suspended for other reasons, the bereavement payment may be withheld with other pension payments until the suspension is resolved.
Payability refers to whether or not a pension or benefit is payable to a person. A person may meet the basic eligibility criteria for a pension or benefit but that pension or benefit may not be payable to them for a number of reasons such as:
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:
Child under 16 years
A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Child 16 years or older
A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:
A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.
Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
If a person has lodged a claim for service pension [3] or income support supplement [3] and dies before that claim can be determined, a bereavement payment [3] is payable in respect of that person if he or she was eligible for the pension immediately before he or she died.
If a person who has a dependent child [3] has lodged a claim for service pension or income support supplement and their child dies before that claim can be determined, a bereavement payment [3] is payable in respect of the child if the claimant was eligible for pension immediately before the child died.
If a member of the pension bonus scheme [3] (PBS) dies after submitting a claim for pension and bonus, the claim is determined as if the person had not died, and any bonus payable is paid to the person's legal personal representative. If a member dies on or after 1 January 2008 before submitting a claim for pension bonus, their bereaved partner may be eligible to claim a pension bonus bereavement payment [3] (PBBP), in lieu of the bonus payable to the deceased member.
More ? [67]
A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.
ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:
Child under 16 years
A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Child 16 years or older
A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:
A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:
Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.
Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
The pension bonus scheme closed to new entrants on 20 September 2009. Existing members can continue in the scheme under the rules that existed prior to 20 September 2009. The pension bonus scheme provided an incentive for older Australians to remain in the workforce and defer receipt of income support pension [70]. The incentive was a bonus, payable if all eligibility criteria and rules were satisfied.
The pension bonus was a once-only, tax-free lump sum payable to a person who, on reaching their special date of eligibility [71], voluntarily deferred retirement for at least one year and registered as a member of the scheme. The pension bonus was claimed at the same time as claiming pension and is calculated using the annual rate of basic pension payable at grant, multiplied by the bonus periods accrued.
According to Division 11A of Part IIIAB [19] of the VEA, the pension bonus bereavement payment may be paid to the surviving partner of a deceased pension bonus scheme member who did not claim their bonus before their death.
Last updated: 26 May 2008
This topic details the policy of processing pensioner initiated reviews (PIR) during the bereavement period [3].
More ? [73]
Single pensioners should have any outstanding pensioner initiated reviews processed during the bereavement period, as if they had not died. This may have an impact on their pension entitlement during this period.
The following guidelines apply to pensioner initiated review processing during the bereavement period for partnered pensioners.
For all events occurring within the bereavement period the... |
Will be... |
date of event [3] |
the day after the bereavement period ends (day 99). |
notification period More ? [74] |
commencing the day immediately following the end of the bereavement period. That is, 14 (or 28) days beginning on the 99th day after the day of death. |
Note: These guidelines provide consistency in the treatment of pensioners under the provisions of section 53K [62] VEA and section 53L [62] VEA during the bereavement period. Most importantly, for the bereaved pensioner they provide the benefit of an extended obligation period to notify of the death of their partner and any changes in circumstances that may have occurred during the bereavement period.
Lump sum amounts received by a partnered pensioner during the bereavement period are held in the pension assessment for 12 months. The date of the event for the commencement of this 12 month period is the day after the bereavement period ends (day 99). This date of event then determines the date of effect for the pension change, depending on whether or not notification of the change is received within the allowed notification period.
For events occurring in the bereavement period, the following table provides a guide to determining the date of effect [3].
More ? [75]
The effective date for... |
That were notified... |
Is the... |
positive PIRs |
within the bereavement period |
day after the end of the bereavement period (day 99) |
after the bereavement period |
date of notification |
|
negative PIRs |
within the notification period or during the bereavement period |
day after the end of the notification period, ie day 114 |
outside of the notification period |
day after the end of the bereavement period (day 99) |
The pension period [3] provides the defining date rather than the date of death, due to the way the bereavement calculation is performed. The bereavement payment [3] calculation is based on the rate of pension that the person and the person's partner were receiving on the last day of the last pension period that ended before the partner died.
More ? [76]
PIRs notified in advance of the death of a pensioner, where the date of effect [3] occurs... |
Will... |
on a day prior to the pension period in which the pensioner died |
be actioned as normal |
either:
|
not be actioned until:
|
Negative PIRs with a date of effect [3] on or before the last day of the last pension period [3] immediately prior to the death, and notified after the death, may affect either the bereavement payment [3] or the ongoing rate of the surviving pensioner. If the bereavement payment has already been paid, the bereavement payment itself cannot be altered. However, the ongoing rate of the surviving pensioner should be reassessed and necessary adjustments made.
More ? [77]
Negative PIRs with a date of effect after the last day of the last pension period prior to the death and before the day of death should have an effective date of day 99 if notified within the bereavement period.
Pension Periods and Paydays
Section 11.1.2 [83]
Partnered Pensioner Bereavement Payment
8.1.4/Payment Arrangements for Partnered Pensioner Bereavement Payment [84]
Partnered Pensioner Bereavement Payment
8.1.4/Payment Arrangements for Partnered Pensioner Bereavement Payment [84]
Bereavement period, as defined in section 53H of VEA [54], in relation to a person's death, means the period of 98 days starting on the day on which the person died.
An event is an incident or change in circumstances that may cause a change in income support entitlement. The 'date of event' is the day on which this event occurs.
The date of effect, or effective date, is the day on which a certain incident or 'event' begins affecting a pension assessment.
According to subsection 5Q(1) (b), of the VEA a pension period is a period of two weeks that starts two days before a payday (i.e. Tuesday) and ends two days before the next payday (i.e. close of business Monday).
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
The date of effect, or effective date, is the day on which a certain incident or 'event' begins affecting a pension assessment.
The date of effect, or effective date, is the day on which a certain incident or 'event' begins affecting a pension assessment.
According to subsection 5Q(1) (b), of the VEA a pension period is a period of two weeks that starts two days before a payday (i.e. Tuesday) and ends two days before the next payday (i.e. close of business Monday).
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
Last amended 17 June 2009
The information provided in this section outlines the bereavement guidelines and effective dates relating to automatic grants of income support supplement [3] (i.e. where a veteran [3] dies and the surviving partner [3] is eligible for automatic grant of income support supplement and war widow's/widower's pension [3]).
More ? [88]
The date of effect [3] for the grant of income support supplement depends on whether section 53K [62] VEA or section 53L [62] VEA applies to the survivor after the partner's death.
If the survivor's single rate of pension after the death of their partner is... |
the applicable VEA provision is... |
and the effective date for ISS grant is... |
greater than the couple's combined pre-death rate of pension |
section 53K [62] VEA |
day 2 of the bereavement period [3] (same day as grant of war widow's/widower's pension). |
less than the couple's combined pre-death rate of pension |
section 53L [62] VEA |
the day after the end of the 98 day bereavement period. |
Note: Section 53L [62] of the VEA will apply to the great majority of cases.
Under the date of effect guidelines, if the survivor was receiving partner service pension (PSP) prior to the death of the veteran, the tax exempt bereavement payment [3] and the taxable ongoing payment made to the survivor during the 98 day bereavement period are shown in the table below. These examples represent the daily rates applicable.
Payment Type |
Section 53L VEA |
Section 53K VEA |
Bereavement payment |
Veteran's partnered rate of pension |
Veteran's partnered rate of pension |
Taxable payment |
Survivor's partnered rate of pension |
(Survivor's re-assessed single rate of pension plus (ISS minus veteran's partnered rate of pension) |
VEA ? [89]
In all cases where the income support supplement and war widow's/widower's pension (WWP) grant are automatic, WWP is granted from the day after the death of the veteran.
More ? [90]
The grant of war widow's/widower's pension is not effective until the day after death.
VEA ? [91]
The income support supplement (ISS) eligibility depends on being a war widow/widower, therefore ISS is not payable until the day after death.
VEA ? [92]
The bereavement period starts on the day of death.
VEA ? [93]
The details about non-automatic ISS grant and date of effect are provided in another topic.
More ? [94]
Automatic grant of ISS for certain persons exempt from requirement to lodge a claim
2.1.2/Service Pension and Income Support Supplement Claims [95]
ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.
For the purposes of Part VI of the VEA [19], a reference to a veteran is taken to be a reference to:
For the purposes of Part VII of the VEA [19], according to subsection 5C(1), veteran means a person (including a deceased person):
A person's 'partner' is someone who is a member of a couple with that person.
A form of pension that is paid to the partner of a veteran where the veteran has died as a result of war service or eligible Defence Service [3]. War widow's/widower's pension is also paid to the partner of a veteran whose death was not war caused if the veteran was a ex-prisoner of war or if the veteran was receiving Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) Rate [3], Special Rate (T&PI) [3] or a rate increased in respect of certain war-caused injury or disease.
The date of effect, or effective date, is the day on which a certain incident or 'event' begins affecting a pension assessment.
Bereavement period, as defined in section 53H of VEA [54], in relation to a person's death, means the period of 98 days starting on the day on which the person died.
A bereavement payment is an amount payable in respect of a deceased pensioner that represents a continuation of the pensioner's entitlement for a period following the death (the bereavement period).
The payment can be made as:
The date of effect [3] for a non-automatic grant of ISS [3] during the bereavement period [3] is the day after the end of the bereavement period (day 99). This allows for consistency with the automatic grant policy and is in keeping with the intent of the bereavement provisions.
More ? [106]
The details about automatic ISS grant and date of effect are provided in another topic.
More ? [107]
The date of effect, or effective date, is the day on which a certain incident or 'event' begins affecting a pension assessment.
ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.
Bereavement period, as defined in section 53H of VEA [54], in relation to a person's death, means the period of 98 days starting on the day on which the person died.
Links
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[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/59-defence-force-income-support-allowance-dfisaceased-2022/595-bereavement-payments-and-dfisa-ceased-2022
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[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/legislation-library
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn6
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/813-single-pensioner-bereavement-payment
[14] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn7
[15] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/814-partnered-pensioner-bereavement-payment
[16] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn8
[17] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/815-dependent-child-bereavement-payment
[18] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn9
[19] http://clik.dva.gov.au/legislation-library
[20] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-SSA_ftn1
[21] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A04121
[22] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-SSA_ftn1
[23] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15923%23comment-form
[24] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn10
[25] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn11
[26] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn12
[27] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn13
[28] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn14
[29] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn15
[30] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 53J
[31] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn15
[32] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn16
[33] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 98A
[34] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn10
[35] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn11
[36] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/82-disability-compensation-bereavement-payment/824-payment-disability-compensation-bereavement-payment
[37] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn12
[38] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 53M(7)
[39] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn13
[40] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn14
[41] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/59-defence-force-income-support-allowance-dfisaceased-2022/592-administration-dfisa/social-security-payments-payable-nil-rate-dfisa-removed-2022
[42] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn16
[43] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15940%23comment-form
[44] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn17
[45] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn18
[46] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn19
[47] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn20
[48] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn21
[49] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn17
[50] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn18
[51] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn19
[52] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn20
[53] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn21
[54] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A03268
[55] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15926%23comment-form
[56] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn22
[57] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn23
[58] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn24
[59] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn25
[60] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/117-imprisonment/1172-how-payments-and-benefits-may-be-affected
[61] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn22
[62] https://clik.dva.gov.au/service-eligibility-assistant-updates/all-determinations-order-date-signed-oldest-most-recent/determinations-under-vea
[63] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn23
[64] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn24
[65] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn25
[66] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15930%23comment-form
[67] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn26
[68] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/56-pension-bonus-scheme
[69] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn26
[70] clikpopup://DEF/Income%20support%20pension
[71] clikpopup://DEF/Special%20date%20of%20eligibility
[72] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15922%23comment-form
[73] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn27
[74] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn28
[75] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn29
[76] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn30
[77] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn31
[78] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/111-income-support-effective-dates-and-pension-periods/1114-determining-effective-dates-variations-and-terminations/effective-dates-post-bereavement-reviews
[79] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn27
[80] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-12-compliance-and-obligations/121-recipient-obligations/1214-requirements-imposing-obligations
[81] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn28
[82] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn29
[83] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/111-income-support-effective-dates-and-pension-periods/1112-pension-periods-and-paydays
[84] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/814-partnered-pensioner-bereavement-payment/payment-arrangements-partnered-pensioner-bereavement-payment
[85] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn30
[86] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn31
[87] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15938%23comment-form
[88] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn32
[89] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn33
[90] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn34
[91] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn35
[92] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn36
[93] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn37
[94] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn38
[95] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-2-applying-pension/21-claims/212-types-claims/service-pension-and-income-support-supplement-claims
[96] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn32
[97] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn33
[98] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/112-disability-compensation-payment-instalments-and-effective-dates/1122-instalments-and-dates-effect-payments-pensions-and-allowances
[99] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn34
[100] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn35
[101] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn36
[102] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn37
[103] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/812-administration-bereavement-payment/non-automatic-grant-iss-during-bereavement-period
[104] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn38
[105] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15947%23comment-form
[106] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn39
[107] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#tgt-cspol_part8_ftn40
[108] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/111-income-support-effective-dates-and-pension-periods/1113-effective-dates-grants
[109] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn39
[110] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-8-bereavement-assistance/81-income-support-bereavement-payment/812-administration-bereavement-payment/automatic-grant-iss-during-bereavement-period
[111] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/15914#ref-cspol_part8_ftn40