Supporting information for objections: Death benefits

This page lists the documents and information we usually need to process objections about death benefits.

Send the documents and information with your objection form.

You don't need to send information or documents you have previously provided.

Death benefits

date of death of the deceased.
the payment was made.
of who made the payment.
the payment made directly to you or to you as trustee of the estate of the deceased?
of payment summaries.
of the relationship between you and the deceased.
of where you resided prior to, and at, the date of the deceased's death.

If you are not the spouse or former spouse of the deceased or the deceased's child under 18, you will also need to provide further information as listed below.

you are in receipt of a disability pension, provide the Centrelink payment advice/acknowledgment and medical documentation for the illness/disability/condition.
your financial contribution to fixed household expenses - provide invoices (for example, electricity, rates, mortgage and telephone), together with evidence of payment via corresponding BPay/cheque reference/receipt/internet banking/direct debit/transfer entry on bank statement.
a Statutory Declaration detailing:

amount you and the deceased paid toward other living expenses such as groceries, entertainment, fuel, personal care items (for example, 30% of food paid by you)
nature and amount of domestic support and personal care you and the deceased provided each other - for example, household chores and transport
nature and amount of personal care and/or emotional support you and the deceased provided each other.
period you and the deceased lived together - also provide a copy of any correspondence addressed to both of you.

Please provide any other available documents that would support the statements made in your objection application.

You do not need to provide the further information listed above if you received a superannuation lump sum because the deceased person died in the line of duty as:

a member of the Defence Force

a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police force of a State or Territory

a protective service officer.

More information

For more information about requesting an objection:

to Objection guide
us on 13 28 66.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Our commitment to you

We are committed to providing you with accurate, consistent and clear information to help you understand your rights and entitlements and meet your obligations.

If you follow our information and it turns out to be incorrect, or it is misleading and you make a mistake as a result, we will take that into account when determining what action, if any, we should take.

Some of the information on this website applies to a specific financial year. This is clearly marked. Make sure you have the information for the right year before making decisions based on that information.

If you feel that our information does not fully cover your circumstances, or you are unsure how it applies to you, contact us or seek professional advice.

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