The War Widow(er)s Pension and the Veteran Gold Card are two important supports through DVA, designed to honour your loved one’s service and ease the road ahead for you and your family.
Navigating paperwork in the middle of grief is the last thing anyone wants to face. This guide explains the support available, who is eligible, and how to claim. For the card itself, see our DVA Gold Card guide and our DVA card eligibility page.
Article at a glance
- Non-taxable, not means-tested: your financial circumstances do not affect this pension.
- Gold Card included: recipients also receive a Veteran Gold Card.
- Sometimes automatic: granted without applying in specific cases.
- Remarriage protected: since 1984, a new relationship does not affect your pension.
What is the War Widow(er)s Pension?
The War Widow(er)s Pension and Orphans’ Pension are non-taxable payments from DVA to the surviving partners and dependent children of veterans whose death is accepted as service-related. Recipients also receive a Gold Card, which offers comprehensive health care, plus additional support such as the Income Support Supplement. The pension is not income or asset-tested, so your financial circumstances will not affect your entitlement.
Who is eligible?
If you were the partner of a veteran whose passing has been accepted as service-related, you may be eligible. This includes legal and de facto partners who were in the relationship immediately before the death. You cannot have remarried or be in a new de facto relationship at the time of applying, but if you enter a new relationship later, your pension will not be affected. Children may be eligible for the Orphans’ Pension if under 16, or under 25 and studying full-time. The pension is granted automatically where your partner was:
- An ex-prisoner of war
- Receiving the Extreme Disablement Adjustment
- Receiving a Special, Intermediate or Temporary Special Rate Disability Compensation Payment
- Receiving the Additional Disability Compensation Payment for a specific disability
If you lost your pension due to remarriage before 1984, you can now apply to have it restored.
What the Gold Card covers
If you receive the pension, you are issued a Veteran Gold Card, giving access to fully funded health care for all medical conditions within Australia. That includes GP appointments, specialists, hospital care, medications, optical and dental services, and a wide range of allied health support.
Additional financial support
- Income Support Supplement: a regular, income- and assets-tested payment for everyday living costs.
- Energy Supplement: paid fortnightly or quarterly to help with energy bills.
- Veterans’ Children Education Scheme: financial assistance, tutoring and counselling for your children.
- Funeral Benefit: a contribution towards funeral expenses.
- Other concessions: transport discounts and help with gas and electricity.
How to claim
If your partner’s death has already been accepted as service-related, or meets an automatic eligibility condition, you may not need to apply. If a claim is required, you complete Form D2663, supported by medical and service records linking the death to military service. Being thorough from the outset helps avoid delays. You will generally need:
- The death certificate showing cause of death
- Their DVA file number if known, service number and branch
- Marriage certificate or evidence of your relationship
- Details of dependent children
- Treating doctors, hospitals and providers, and service history
- A personal statement linking their service to the cause of death
What to expect after lodging
Processing generally takes around two months or more, depending on complexity and whether further documents such as hospital notes or coroner’s reports are needed. DVA delegates assess the claim using the Statements of Principles, which set out the factors that link a condition or death to service, alongside the medical evidence. When finalised, DVA sends a written outcome. If accepted, back payment may apply from the date of eligibility. If it is not accepted, the decision can be reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the War Widow(er)s Pension means-tested?
No. It is non-taxable and not income or asset-tested, so your financial circumstances do not affect your entitlement.
What if I remarry or enter a new relationship?
Since 1984, you do not lose your pension if you remarry or enter a new relationship. Your service-connected benefits remain with you.
Do I always need to apply?
Not always. The pension can be granted automatically in specific cases, such as where your partner was a former prisoner of war or received certain Disability Compensation Payment rates.
You do not have to do this alone
Our expert team can help you gather evidence, complete the paperwork and advocate on your behalf, with care and compassion.