Entitlements

War veterans and ex-servicemen and women may be entitled to a war pension and a range of allowances from the New Zealand Government:

War Disablement Pension

Veterans Pension

Surviving Spouse/Partner Pension

Special Allowances

Further information as well as Application Forms are available from War Pensions Services in Hamilton:

Postal address:

War Pension Services
PO Box 9448
Hamilton
New Zealand

Phone (Free) 0800 553 003

or if calling from overseas
+ 64 7 957 4602 (but you will have to pay for the call).

Fax (Free) 0508 402 402

or if faxing from overseas
+64 7 957 1306 (but you will have to pay for the call).

E-mail: warpension@msd.govt.nz

War Disablement Pension

Veterans of any war or emergency in which New Zealand has been involved may be entitled to a War Disablement Pension. In addition, ex-servicemen and women suffering from an ailment or disability that may be attributable to service in New Zealand’s Armed Forces prior to April 1974 are also eligible to apply for a War Disablement Pension.

Further information on the War Disablement Pension is available on-line from War Pension Services.

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Veteran's Pension

Entitlement to Veterans Pension is based on both Service and Disablement qualifications. The Veteran’s Pension is income support for ex-service people who have served in any war or emergency in which New Zealand’s forces have served. That is the first qualification. The second qualification is, for those who have reached the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation, the receipt of a War Disablement Pension of at least 70%. The second qualification for those aged under the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation is that they cannot work because of any physical or mental disability (the disability could be from any cause).

Further information on the Veterans Pension is available on-line from War Pension Services.

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Surviving Spouse/Partner Pension

A Surviving Spouse/Partner Pension may be granted to widows/widowers or partners of ex-service people whose death was attributable to their service in the Armed Forces in New Zealand or overseas prior to 1st April 1974. For service after this date, the pension is only payable in respect of service in connection with a war or emergency that has been declared as providing eligibility under the War Pensions Act 1954.

In addition, a Surviving Spouse Pension may be granted to the widowed spouse or partner of an ex-service person who was in receipt of or would have been entitled to receive a permanent War Disablement Pension of not less than 70%.

Further information on the Surviving Spouse Pension is available on-line from War Pension Services.

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Special Allowances

Veterans who reside in New Zealand may also qualify for other special allowances such as:

• Attendants Allowances
• Car Loans
• Children’s Pensions
• Clothing Allowances
• Funeral Grants
• Allowances for Gallantry Decorations
• Hearing Aid Grants
• Hearing Aid Battery Allowances
• War Orphans’ Pensions
• Private Hospital Treatment
• Specialist Treatment
• Surgical and Mechanical Appliances
• Transport and Travelling Expenses
• War Bursaries

Further information on Special Allowances is available on-line from War Pension Services.