Step 9 – Deceased Estate Administration Guide

Request Allowances & Government Support After a Death

  • Last Updated: April 2022

This step explains everything you need to know to help determine if dependent spouse and/or children are in a difficult financial situation and need support, and what types of allowances are available.

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Overview

The loss of a loved one is a difficult time. Especially where a spouse and/or child(ren) were financially dependent on the deceased person, the situation can feel even more overwhelming. The Australian Government provides several support services that may apply. You as the Executor, Administrator or Next of Kin should consider if:
  • any dependants (spouse and/or children) require financial support;
  • financial allowances may be needed to cover costs associated with the deceased estate administration;
  • any children are now double orphans;
  • a widow allowance applies; and
  • leave from an employer may available.

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9.1 Government Allowances and Financial Support

The Australian Government and its Departments offer a range of support services in certain difficult financial circumstances. simplyEstate has listed the most common ones below for your convenience.

9.2 Department of Veterans’ Affairs Support

If the deceased person received a pension or other payments from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), you or the dependant of the deceased person may be eligible for support under both the:

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) website provides an overview of available assistance.

9.3 Services Australia (formerly Department of Human Services)

Services Australia comprises of Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services.

Services Australia provides the following allowances that you or the deceased person’s dependants may be eligible for. Make sure to always check the eligibility criteria first as not all may apply in your situation:

If the partner of the deceased person is pregnant at the time of death, Services Australia (formerly Department of Human Services) may provide additional financial support after verifying medical evidence of the pregnancy and the expected date of birth.

Services Australia

Phone: 132 300
Contact Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm AEST

Complete Step

Actions and Decisions to Complete Step Yourself

If you have decided to tackle this Step yourself after reading and understanding the above, you may want to:

  1. Identify if any dependants (spouse and/or children) of the deceased person require financial support;
  2. Determine if financial assistance may be needed to cover costs associated with the deceased estate administration or for everyday expenses and living costs;
  3. Establish if the financial assistance is needed temporarily or on an ongoing basis;
  4. Discuss the financial issue with the family and/or Beneficiaries to see how financial support could be provided in the meantime if the financial issue is only temporary until the estate is finalised and the affected person agrees to discuss this matter;
  5. Determine if the death has resulted in any children now being double orphans and seek appropriate help from Services Australia (formerly Department of Human Services);
  6. Review the various allowances described in this Step to determine if one may apply to your situation and contact the relevant department;
    (see Step 9.2 and Step 9.3 above); and
  7. Advise affected persons to check with their employer of any leave entitlements to take some time off if necessary.

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Information

Forms

Legislation

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Cost & Effort

Reading: 10 mins
Preparing: 0-1 hrs
Completing: 1-3 hrs
Total: 1:10-4:10 hrs
Cost: $0

Effort and cost are general estimates only and are based on the assumption that you complete this step without experienced support.

Instructions

To find out how this Process Guide works, access the instructions here.

Glossary

To find out what the capitalised words mean, access the glossary here.

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Forms

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Other forms not listed here may be required based on your specific circumstances.

Checklists & Tools

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Legislation & Rules

Allowances

VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986 (Cth) (Austl.) (accessed 21/02/2021) – VEA
MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT 2004 (Cth) (Austl.) (accessed 21/02/2021) – MRCA

Other legislation and rules not listed here may apply to your specific circumstances.

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