DVA War Widow/er Pension Claim — Form D2663

Issuing authority

Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)

Official source

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility: you are the widow, widower, or dependant of a deceased veteran and you believe the veteran's death was caused or contributed to by their war or defence service
2. Obtain form D2663 'Claim for Pension by a Widow, Widower or other Dependant of a Deceased Veteran' from the DVA website or a DVA office
3. Gather supporting documents: the veteran's death certificate, medical records of the veteran's final illness or condition, names of treating doctors and hospitals, and any DVA records of the veteran's accepted service-related conditions
4. Complete the form, clearly stating the reasons you believe the death was related to the veteran's service
5. Lodge the completed form and documents with DVA as soon as possible; if lodged within 6 months of the veteran's death and approved, the pension is backdated to the day after the date of death
6. If lodged more than 6 months after death, the pension is only backdated 3 months from the date DVA receives the claim
7. DVA will assess the claim and may request a post-mortem medical assessment or additional evidence
8. If approved, a Veteran Gold Card is also issued to the surviving partner; if refused, apply for review at the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) within 12 months

Related topics

Related forms

• Apply for Probate
• Letters of Administration (No Will)
• Family Provision Application (Disputing a Will)
• Caveat Against Probate
• Notify Centrelink of a Death