Families of Veterans Guild, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), hosted in July 2025 a dedicated and exclusive webinar for war widows to better understand the entitlements and services available to them through DVA.
The webinar was recorded live and is now available on our YouTube channel for anyone who couldn’t attend. Below is a friendly and informative summary to what was shared about the four key programs so you can navigate the information you might be after. A short recording clip of each program is available on our YouTube and also shared below.
DVA Community Nursing Program
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Community Nursing Program helps war widows remain at home longer rather than entering hospital or residential aged care. Contracted providers assess care requirements and deliver services such as wound care, medication administration, palliative care, and clinically required personal care.
Eligibility
Gold Card holders can access community nursing for any assessed need, while White Card holders can receive care related to their accepted conditions. All services are free of charge for those who are eligible, with no caps or hidden costs.
Access
Referrals can come from a GP, treating doctor in hospital, a hospital discharge planner, or a nurse practitioner. Clients can choose their preferred provider from the DVA panel. A registered nurse completes a comprehensive assessment, develops a care plan with the client, and oversees care, which can be short-term or ongoing.
The program does not cover respite, overnight supervision without a clinical need, or instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. laundry, cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, driving, companionship). These supports may be accessed through Veterans’ Home Care or My Aged Care, provided there is no duplication.
Watch the recording of this session on the DVA Community Nursing Program here.
Income Support Supplement (ISS)
The Income Support Supplement (ISS) is a regular, tax-free payment from DVA, paid fortnightly to help with everyday living costs. It can only be received by Australian war widows and widowers under the VEA or Wholly Dependent Partners under the MRCA, and it is means tested against income and assets.
Eligibility
To claim ISS, you must be an Australian resident, in Australia when lodging your claim, and already receiving the War Widow(er)’s Pension. In some cases, ISS is automatically granted when a service or social security pension is cancelled and replaced by a war widow(er)’s payment.
The maximum ISS is $347.60 per fortnight, indexed every March and September. The amount depends on your income, assets, and whether you are single or partnered. Some widows/widowers may receive the full rate.
Watch the recording of this session on the Income Support Supplement (ISS) here.
Transport Support
DVA provides transport assistance for veterans and war widows who need to travel for approved medical treatment within Australia (that is, treatment paid for with a Gold or White Card at the closest provider). Support is offered in four main ways:
Book Car (DVA-arranged travel): A contracted taxi service available nationwide. Gold Card holders aged 80+ can use it for all medical treatment. Under 80, it is limited to specified locations (e.g. hospitals, specialists). White Card holders may use it for accepted conditions only.
Reimbursement: War widows can claim back travel costs when using their own car, taxis, buses, or trains, via the D800 claim form or online through MyService. Payments are usually made within 7–10 days.
Flights and long-distance travel: For those in regional areas, DVA can arrange flights for specialist treatment and reimburse accommodation and meal costs when travel exceeds 300 km.
Ambulance services: DVA contracts with state ambulance authorities, so eligible widows are not billed. Both emergency and non-emergency transport are covered.
Watch the recording of this session on Transport Support here.
Veterans’ Home Care (VHC)
The Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) program provides in-home care and support services to help war widows maintain independence at home. Services include:
Domestic assistance (cleaning, washing, vacuuming, bed making, dishwashing, etc.)
Personal care (non-clinical help with eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.)
Home and garden maintenance (up to 15 hours per year)
Respite care (in-home, residential, or emergency relief)
Social assistance (support with community-based activities through the Coordinated Veterans’ Care program)
Eligibility
A Gold or White Card is required. To access VHC, call 1300 550 450 to speak to an assessment agency. Assessments are usually completed over the phone in about 30 minutes. Approved services are then allocated to contracted providers, and a care plan is issued. Services are reviewed every six months.
Watch the recording of this session on Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) here.
