Factsheet DP43 Disability Pension and War Widow(er) s Pension Rates and Allowances

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1 Pension Rates and Allowances Purpose This Factsheet provides a brief description and the current rates under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) of disability and war widow(er) s pensions and allowances that you may be eligible for from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The rates quoted are fortnightly amounts unless otherwise indicated. This information is current from 20 September 2015 to 31 December For information about current rates of compensation benefits that may be payable under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), see DVA Factsheet MRC04. For information about current rates of compensation benefits that may be payable under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) and the Defence Act 1903, see DVA Factsheet MRC43. Disability pension rates Disability pensions are paid at various rates: the special rate (and temporary special rate), intermediate rate, extreme disablement adjustment and the general rate. Special rate and temporary special rate $1, Intermediate rate $ Extreme disablement adjustment (EDA) $ General rate 100% $ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $54.24 Note: These rates include Energy Supplement. For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP28, DVA Factsheet DP29 or DVA Factsheet DP30. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 1 of 6

2 Additional disability pension for specific disabilities Additional disability pension is paid to veterans who receive disability pension at less than the special rate and have one of the following disabilities accepted as service related. Note that the total of disability pension and the additional pension cannot exceed the amount of the special rate pension. 1. Two arms amputated $ Two legs and one arm amputated $ Two legs amputated above the knee $ Two legs amputated and blinded in one eye $ One arm and one leg amputated and blinded in one eye $ One arm and one leg amputated $ One leg amputated above, and one leg amputated below the knee $ Two legs amputated below the knee $ One arm amputated and blinded in one eye $ One leg amputated and blinded in one eye $ One leg amputated above the knee $ One leg amputated below the knee $ One arm amputated above the elbow $ One arm amputated below the elbow $ Blinded in one eye $48.50 For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP71. War widow(er) s pension War widow(er) s pension may be paid to a widow or widower of an eligible veteran. War widow(er) s pension $ Note: This rate includes Energy Supplement. For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP60. Orphan s pension The dependent child of a deceased eligible veteran may be entitled to receive an orphan s pension. Single orphan $97.70 Double orphan $ For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP60. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 2 of 6

3 Recreation transport allowance Recreation transport allowance may be paid to an eligible veteran to assist with the costs of transport for recreation purposes. The amount of the allowance payable depends on the extent of the impact of the veteran s war-caused or defence-caused incapacity on their mobility. High rate $86.70 Low rate $43.20 For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP76. Vehicle Assistance Scheme The Vehicle Assistance Scheme may assist a veteran to purchase and modify a motor vehicle where service or war caused amputation, injury or disease severely affect the ability to move around. A running and maintenance allowance is also payable to help defray the cost of registering and insuring the vehicle. Maintenance and running costs $2, (per year) For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP78. Loss of earnings allowance Loss of earnings (LOE) allowance may be paid when: a veteran loses salary, wages or earnings because the veteran is being treated for a war-caused or defence-caused injury or disease a veteran has to attend appointments in relation to a claim for disability pension another person loses salary, wages or earnings because they are helping a veteran to pursue a claim for disability pension. As a general rule, the amount of LOE allowance paid is the lesser of: the difference between the Special Rate and the veteran s present disability pension, or the amount of salary, wages or earnings actually lost (including loadings or other allowances that would have been payable). LOE payments can be affected if you have received permanent impairment compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP75. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 3 of 6

4 Attendant allowance Attendant allowance may be paid to a veteran who has certain war-caused or defencecaused injuries or diseases causing loss of function (such as blindness in both eyes, loss of speech and loss of limbs) and requires the assistance of an attendant to perform basic functions. The allowance is payable at two levels, according to the type of injury or disease. High rate $ Low rate $ For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP72. Clothing allowance Clothing allowance may be paid to a veteran who has a war-caused or defence-caused injury or disease which causes exceptional wear and tear or damage to clothing. Damage to clothing may be due to factors such as staining from medications or abrasions from aids and appliances. The rate of clothing allowance depends on the extent of the veteran s injury or disease. High rate $13.60 Mid rate $9.20 Low rate $6.30 For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP73. Decoration allowance Decoration allowance is paid automatically to disability pensioners who were awarded certain decorations for gallantry. Decoration allowance $2.10 For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP74. Victoria Cross allowance Victoria Cross allowance is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration. Victoria Cross allowance $4,320 (per year) For further information, see DVA Factsheet DP74. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 4 of 6

5 Veterans Children Education Scheme (VCES) The VCES provides financial assistance and student support services to the dependent children of veterans who have died as a result of war-caused injury or disease, or of veterans who have a war-caused injury or disease which has left them severely incapacitated. Primary students $ (per year) Secondary and tertiary students (per fortnight) Age At home Living away Homeless from home Under 16 $53.70 $ $ $ $ $ & over $ $ $ Secondary/tertiary double orphans (per fortnight - applies to VCES Students only) Age Amount Under 16 $ $ & over $ Note: These rates include Energy Supplement. For further information, see DVA Factsheet MRC47. Veterans supplement Veterans supplement may be paid to you if you are not eligible for pension supplement and you: receive a disability pension from DVA, or are under qualifying age and receive war widow(er) s pension (but not income support supplement (ISS)), or receive an orphan s pension from DVA, or have a DVA Gold Card, White Card or Orange Card. High Rate $12.40 Low Rate $6.20 For more information, see DVA Factsheet IS18. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 5 of 6

6 Energy Supplement An Energy Supplement is an ongoing fortnightly payment paid with compensation and income support payments. The rate varies according to the payment type. For more information, see DVA Factsheet CEP01. Funeral benefits A funeral benefit is a one-off payment towards funeral expenses of certain veterans including recipients of special rate pension or EDA, former prisoners of war, recipients of additional disability pension for specific disabilities, those whose death is accepted as being war or service caused and those who died in needy circumstances. Where eligibility for a funeral benefit arises due to a posthumous grant or increase to the rate of disability pension, the amount payable as a funeral benefit is the rate applicable at the date of death. Funeral benefit up to $2,000 For more information, see DVA Factsheet BR04. Disclaimer The information contained in this Factsheet is general in nature and does not take into account individual circumstances. You should not make important decisions, such as those that affect your financial or lifestyle position on the basis of information contained in this Factsheet. Where you are required to lodge a written claim for a benefit, you must take full responsibility for your decisions prior to the written claim being determined. You should seek confirmation in writing of any oral advice you receive from DVA. More Information DVA General Enquiries Metro Phone: * Regional Phone: * GeneralEnquiries@dva.gov.au DVA Website: Factsheet Website: factsheets.dva.gov.au * Calls from mobile phones and pay phones may incur additional charges. Last updated: 20 September 2015 Page 6 of 6