War Pensions
You will only be eligible for a war pension if you fall into one or more of the following categories:
If you have been injured or disabled while/due to serving in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, including The Ulster Defence Regiment (which is now known as the Royal Irish Regiment) the Home Guard and nursing and auxiliary services.
If you were a Civil Defence Volunteer (CDV) disabled through serving as a CDV.
A civilian disabled as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
A merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services or coastguard, and you suffered disability due to injury, disease due to conditions during wartime or because you were a prisoner-of-war.
A member of the Polish Forces under British Command who served in the Second World War or in the Polish Resettlement Forces and you were injured or disabled through this service.
Note: You cannot claim entitlement if you are still serving in HM Armed Forces.
You may be entitled to a War Widow/Widower’s Pension if the one or more of the following apply to you:
If your husband/wife’s death was a result of their service in the HM Armed Forces.
If your husband/wife was a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services, or a coastguard and their death was a result of an injury/disease they received during war or during a period where they were a prisoner of war.
If your husband/wife’s death was as a result of their service as a member of the Polish Forces under British command during the Second World War, or in the Polish Resettlement Forces.
If your husband/wife was getting a War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance at the time of their death or would have been had circumstances allowed (e.g. they were hospitalised) or they would have been entitled to the Allowance for a period of 26 weeks had they claimed.
If your husband/wife was getting a War Disablement Pension at the 80% rate or higher and was getting an ‘Unemployability’ Supplement.
If you lived with a war pensioner as their husband/wife and looked after his/her child.
War pensions are separate to State Pensions, and further information can be obtained from the Veterans Agency within the Ministry of Defence.
If you need more information you can contact the Veteran’s Agency at:
Veterans Agency
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP
Helpline: 0800 169 22 77 ( 8.15am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, 8.15am to 4.30pm Friday)
Text phone: 0800 169 34 58
Fax: (01253) 330 561
Email: help@veteransagency.mod.uk
Website: http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/