Questions Frequently Asked by Veterans and Their Families

About pensions

Q. I served in the Army in WW11 but did not go overseas. Am I eligible for compensation for service related disabilities?
A . Yes, but under a different Act of Parliament to “eligible” veterans. We have pension officers who specialise in Military Compensation applications.

Q If you are not TPI or EDA, have you had your level of Disability Pension reviewed in the last two years ?
A. If not, you should make an appointment with one of our Pension Officers to have it reviewed . Your accepted conditions may have deteriorated or you may have developed other war related disabilities.

Q . Have you had an application for disability pension rejected more than two years ago ?
A . You should make an appointment with one of our Pension Officers for a review. There may be a possibility of it being accepted if a new application with new evidence is submitted.

Q If my application for a disability pension is rejected is there anything I can do. ?
A . Yes. We have access to trained advocates who may seek a review of the decision or lodge an appeal with the Veterans Review Board.

Q . I have a gold card, will my wife get a War Widows pension And a Gold Card when I die.?
A. Not automatically.
Only widows of veterans who were:
•  POWs or
•  Was receiving disability pension at the Special Rate (TPI) or the
•  Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) or.
•  Your death was related to service
That is why it is so important to have all your service related disabilities recognised before you die

Q . Can my wife apply for a war widows pension after I die.
A . Yes but it is very difficult to prove your death was from service related disabilities posthumously.

Q. I am a Vietnam Veteran approaching 60 and still working, should I register with DVA ?
A . When you turn 60 you are eligible for the Pension Bonus Scheme so you should ask for a Pension Officer to help you fill out an application form as soon as possible.

Q. Does my Gold Card cover the cost of medical treatment ?
A. Yes, for those medical items that are identified by a Medicare item number.
This does not include ancillary items such as photographs that may be requested by your doctor.

About your lifestyle

Q. I can't get about to visit hospital or doctor. Is there some form of transport assistance available?
Q. . My wife/partner has had to give up work to look after me, now we are in financial trouble. Can someone help?
Q. I don't know anyone here and have no family close (lives interstate) I'm lonely and depressed – who can I turn to?
Q. . I want to stay in my own home, what information & services are available to me ?
Q. . What Respite Care services are available to the Veteran Community?
Q. My wife has to look after me most of the time. Is she eligible for a carers pension ?

Answers
The answer to most of these questions is yes, depending on your circumstances.
Please ask for a visit while you are in hospital or make an appointment with one of our trained Welfare officers when you get home.

Victorian veterans living outside the Geelong area should contact their nearest Veterans Welfare Centre
listed here

Other Australian veterans should contact a local ex-service organisation

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