What (a) measures have been implemented by her department of Military Veterans to address the backlog in (i) pension payments and (ii) medical support for military veterans and (b) is the projected timeline for resolving outstanding claims?

Revised Pension Regulations with means test to enable access to pension benefits (backlog resolution for outstanding pension applications)

The department revised Pension Regulations to include a means test so that deserving military veterans can access pension benefits as budget becomes available. Outstanding pension applications (including those not yet in the database and those with adjudication finalised but no determination) will be processed under the new regulations, including providing additional information and completing SARS/UIF verification, with key steps targeted for March 2026.

Who it is for

military veterans and applicants with outstanding pension claims/backlog (including those not in the database and those awaiting determination)

How to act on it

Applicants are processed under the revised Pension Regulations; those not in the database are referred to OMV for registration finalisation, and applicants whose adjudication was finalised but no decision made must provide new additional information to apply the means test; SARS and UIF verification is then completed and decisions (including rejections with reasons) are made.