Means-tested Benefits: Veterans

(asked on 18th October 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce a disregard for Armed Forces Pensions when considering the eligibility for income-related benefits for former members of the Armed Forces.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 26th October 2017

Income related benefits already partially disregard War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments for injuries and bereavement. With the introduction of Universal Credit, we have gone a step further and ensured that War Pensions and all Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments are fully disregarded in the assessment of income for Universal Credit.

Income related benefits are designed to provide support for people who do not have other income to meet the same need such as occupational pensions. The Government has no plans to introduce a disregard for Armed Forces Pensions when considering the eligibility for income-related benefits for former members of the Armed Forces.

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