Cost of living support for veterans and families

A new one-off payment of $250 announced in the Budget 2022-23 will be provided to recipients of certain payments made by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and/or Centrelink to help with the rising costs of living.

It will be payable to Australian residents receiving one or more of the following DVA benefits as at 29 March 2022:

  • Service Pension, Partner Service Pension, Income Support Supplement or Veteran Payment
  • Disability Compensation Payment (separate to the $6.40 fortnightly payment)
  • Special Rate Disability Pension
  • Permanent Impairment compensation (including lump sum payments taken in the past)
  • War Widow(er)’s Pension or Wholly Dependent Partner payment (including lump sum payments taken in the past)
  • Gold Cards, Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards
  • Age Pension paid by DVA
  • Education allowance under Veteran Children’s Education Scheme or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 Education and Training Scheme for recipients aged 16 and over.

Only one payment will be made per person, regardless of how many of the above benefits they receive.

If you are eligible, DVA will pay you the Cost of Living Payment from late April 2022.  You do not need to make a claim, but you should make sure that DVA has your correct bank account details. You can check your details on MyService or by calling DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

For more information, visit Services Australia website.

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