Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA098
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
BONUS FOR 326,000 VETERANS’ AFFAIRS PENSIONERS
STUDENTS AND CARERS ALSO BENEFIT
More than 326,000 veterans’ affairs pensioners will receive the Rudd Government’s bonus payment of
$1400 for singles and $2100 for couples, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, announced today.
This action is an immediate down payment on long term pension reform.
Approximately $407 million in total will be paid in the fortnight beginning 8 December to all Department
of Veterans’ Affairs:
Service Pensioners;
Income Support Supplement recipients;
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders; and
Gold Card holders, including war widows, over service pension age who receive the Seniors
Concession Allowance or Utilities allowance.
Around 4000 people receiving a benefit from the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme will also receive
a one off payment of $1000.
People who are receiving Carer Allowance from Centrelink will also receive $1000 for each eligible
person they care for.
Payments will be tax exempt and will not be included for income-testing purposes.
“These measures are designed to support veterans and their families on low incomes who are suffering
in the current economic climate, while strengthening and stimulating Australia’s economy,” said Mr
Griffin.
“It was clear to the Government that aged veteran pensioners and others in the veteran community who
depend on income support needed financial relief.
“This Government values the contribution veterans have made to Australia, and appreciate that they also
need financial support and security.
“The $10.4 billion package of measures announced today by the Prime Minister will ensure a healthy
economy and future stability for those veterans, as well as the wider community.”
The Government is also closely monitoring the global financial crisis and its impact on the general
community.
In the last week financial markets experienced a significant fall in share values, resulting in substantial
reductions in the value of pensioners’ financial assets.
“I have asked my Department to quickly update its system with the current value of any financial
investments, including shares and managed investments, that veteran pensioners might hold, to ensure
they are receiving the maximum pension they are entitled to,” Mr Griffin said.
Editor’s note: the attached table lists the pensioners who will receive the bonus payment.
Payment inquiries: DVA 133 254
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Bonus payable to the veteran community
Eligibility:
those over pension age and are receiving the utilities allowance or seniors concession allowance.
those under pension age who are receiving a means tested pension.
Income support/CSHC
Compensation
Treatment card
Over pension
age?
Bonus payable?
Service pension
Any
Any
N/A
Yes
Income support
supplement
War widow’s pension
Gold
N/A
Yes
SSA pension - age,
carer, DSP, wife
Any
Any
N/A
Yes
Commonwealth Seniors
Health Card
Any
Any
Yes
Yes
Nil
Disability pension
Gold
Yes
Yes
Nil
War widow’s pension
Gold
Yes
Yes
Nil
Nil
Gold
Yes
Yes
Notes
1. The bonus is paid only once per person, regardless of how many ways the person qualifies for the bonus.
2. Veteran pension age applies for all bonuses paid under the VEA.
Pension age
The pension age for a war widower or male veteran who has qualifying service is 60. The pension age for a male
non-veteran is 65.
Currently, the pension age for a war widow or female veteran who has qualifying service is 58.5. The pension age
for a female non-veteran is 63.5.
Reaching pension age is an eligibility requirement for veteran age service pensioners and CSHC holders.
Payment inquiries: DVA 133 254
NEWS 
