VETERAN PENSIONS SET TO INCREASE

VETERAN pension payments have increased in line with the biannual indexation process.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said this Government is working hard to put veterans’ and their families first.

“Our Government provides more than $11.2 billion each year to deliver essential services and programs to support 290,000 veterans and their families,” Mr Chester said.

“The new pension rates will be fully effective from pension payday 11 October 2018 for pension recipients including veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers across Australia.”

Due to the calculation of pension rates on a daily basis, the first pension paid after the indexation on payday 27 September 2018 will comprise a component of both the old and new rates.

The table below highlights the new fortnightly rates.

 | SERVICE PENSION | Old rate (fortnightly) | New rate (fortnightly) | Increase (fortnightly)
| Single person |  $907.60 |  $916.30 |  $8.70
| Couples (each) |  $684.10 |  $690.70 |  $6.60
| Single person – transitional |  $762.00 |  $768.00 |  $6.00
| Couples (each) – transitional |  $614.80 |  $619.60 |  $4.80
| WAR WIDOWS |   |   | 
| War widow(er)’s pension |  $922.50 |  $931.50 |  $9.00
| Income support supplement |  $272.60 |  $275.40 |  $2.80
| DISABILITY PENSION |   |   |  
| T&PI (Special rate) |  $1,394.20 |  $1,408.00 |  $13.80
| Intermediate rate |  $946.60 |  $956.00 |  $9.40
| EDA |  $770.20 |  $777.90 |  $7.70
| 100 per cent |  $495.70 |  $500.60 |  $4.90
| 10 per cent |  $56.50 |  $56.99 |  $0.49

These are the maximum rates of payment and include any Energy Supplement payable.

Pensions are indexed twice a year in March and September. For a full list of pension rates, please visit www.dva.gov.au or call 133 254 or 1800 555 254 from regional Australia.