Fill Out DVA Form D0504 Online

What is DVA Form D0504 used for

The form claims a service pension for a person whose entitlement flows from a veteran's qualifying service: a current partner, or in defined circumstances a former partner, widow or widower. It gathers your personal details, the veteran's details, your relationship history, dependent children, residence and living arrangements, and bank and tax details.

The form is explicit about who should not use it. Do not complete D0504 if you are a war widow or war widower, who may instead be eligible for the income support supplement, if you are divorced from the veteran, if you were in a de facto relationship with the veteran and have separated, or if you are a widow or widower who has since remarried or entered a new de facto relationship. If any of those descriptions fits, contact DVA about the right payment and form before going further.

Who uses DVA Form D0504

Partners of veterans commonly claim at the same time as the veteran claims their own service pension, and the veteran's form D0503 asks whether the partner wishes to apply. A partner can also claim separately using D0504 where the veteran already receives a pension.

Widows and widowers of veterans use this form where they have not remarried or repartnered, and where they are not war widows or war widowers under the compensation provisions. Because the eligibility rules around relationships and dates are detailed, this is an area where a quick call to DVA or a chat with an ex-service organisation advocate before lodging can save a rejected claim.

How to fill out DVA Form D0504

Use the About Claiming Service Pension booklet alongside the form. It explains proof of identity, certification of copies and many individual questions.

• Answer the Pension Bonus Scheme questions first. Registered members must claim the bonus when they claim the pension, using the separate bonus claim form.
• Complete your own details, including former names with certified evidence of any name change, and attach a certified copy of your full birth certificate.
• Provide proof of identity documents if DVA does not already hold them, following the category lists in the booklet.
• Record your current relationship status with supporting documents, such as a certified marriage certificate or, for a registered relationship, the registration certificate.
• Complete the veteran's details section, including their service information and any DVA or Centrelink payments they receive.
• Give details of dependent children, attaching a certified copy of the birth certificate or extract for each child.
• Lodge this Part A together with Part B, Form D0648, covering income and assets for you and, where relevant, your partner.

After you lodge

DVA assesses eligibility from Part A and applies the income and assets tests from Part B. You may be contacted for further documents, and original documents you post are returned by registered post after being sighted.

If your relationship status, address or financial circumstances change while the claim is being assessed or after the pension is granted, tell DVA promptly. Income support payments are adjusted to circumstances, and late notification can lead to overpayments that must be repaid.