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Service
Pension Order Changes
As a result of the ongoing work reviewing the War Pensions Scheme,
a number of changes have been made to supplementary allowances paid
with War Disablement Pension (WDP). The changes only apply to cases
where the date of claim (or the date of death if appropriate) is on
or after 6 April 2009.
Allowance for a Lowered Standard of Occupation (ALSO)
ALSO
is intended for those pensioners whose earning capacity is reduced because
their disablement prevents them from following their regular occupation or
other work of an equivalent standard. Legislation was amended to state thatthe
allowance cannot be paid to someone who is in receipt of Incapacity Benefit,
Employment Support Allowance, or a similar benefit or allowance from the
DWP. This will ensure consistency throughout government departments.
Supporting the terminally ill
A war pensioner, terminally ill
due to service prior to 6 April 2005, will be automatically awarded the intermediate
rate of Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA), provided that the WDP is assessed
at 80% or more. To make this process easier, claims for CAA can now be made
on behalf of the terminally ill pensioner without their knowledge or authority.
A new claim form (WPA0003CAAD) has been developed for these cases.
Making it easier for bereaved
families
The qualifying conditions have been simplified for Funeral Expenses
payments where a war pensioner dies on or after 6April 2009. A fixed rate
Funeral Expense of £2,200
will be paid, without further enquiries, once eligibility has been established.
| The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) provides no fault compensation for all ex-Service personnel who suffer an illness, injury or death that is linked to service before 6 April 2005. There are no time limits for claiming. The scheme provides a range of tax-freepensions and allowances for ex-Service personnel including a basic war disablement pension (WDP) based on the degree of disablement and a number of supplementary allowances paid according to individual circumstances. |
Lump sum payments
Under the War Pension Scheme, if the degree
of disablement due to service is assessed at below 20%, a lump sum gratuity
is normally paid. In the past, the amounts paid have varied. However, from
6 April 2009 all gratuities awarded will be paid at the same rate scales.
Child Allowance payments
A child’s
allowance will no longer be withheld or reduced on the grounds that
the child’s maintenance is otherwise provided for, i.e. from public
funds or other contributions made towards the support of a qualifying child.
Automatic 100% assessment
Mesothelioma has now been added to
the list of disablements that attract an automatic disablement of 100%.
Tribunal Cases
In appeal cases, the period of time during which
the MOD can consider applying for leave to appeal to the Upper Tribunal has
been increased from 28 to 42 days.
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