Step 9
Request Allowances & Government Support After a Death
- Last Updated: February 2021
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.
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.
Read More
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
- VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986 (Cth) (Austl.) (accessed 21/02/2021) – VEA; or
- MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT 2004 (Cth) (Austl.) (accessed 21/02/2021) – MRCA.
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:- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- Age Pension
- Carer Allowance
- Carer Payment
- Double Orphan Pension
- Farm Household Allowance
- JobSeeker Payment
- Partner Allowance
- Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment
- Special Benefit
- Widow Allowance (no longer available after 1 July 2018)
- Youth Allowance
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 300Contact 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:
- Identify if any dependants (spouse and/or children) of the deceased person require financial support;
- Determine if financial assistance may be needed to cover costs associated with the deceased estate administration or for everyday expenses and living costs;
- Establish if the financial assistance is needed temporarily or on an ongoing basis;
- 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;
- 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);
- 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 - Advise affected persons to check with their employer of any leave entitlements to take some time off if necessary.
Click for supporting:
Information
Forms
Legislation
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.
Forms
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Other forms not listed here may be required based on your specific circumstances.
Checklists & Tools
Use Australia’s most used Checklists & Tools to save time and money.Legislation & Rules
Allowances
VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986 (Cth) (Austl.) (accessed 21/02/2021) – VEAMILITARY 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.
Ask for Support
Executor & Administrator Support
If you are unsure about this Step or if you should engage a lawyer, we’re only a phone call away to point you in the right direction. See how simplyEstate can help.
Help us improve this step