Guidance

A1/2018: War Pensions uprating 2018/19

Updated 3 April 2019

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Who should read

Housing Benefit staff

Action

For information

Guidance Manual

The information in this circular does not affect the content of the HB Guidance Manual.

Queries

For technical content of this circular, contact:
housing.benefitenquiries@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

For distribution of this circular, contact:
housing.correspondenceandpqs@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

War Pensions: Uprating 2018-19

1. The Ministry of Defence announced the new 2018-19 War Pensions rates on 15 January 2018. The rates are set out in Annex A.

2. The annual uprating of War Pensions and allowances for 2018 will take place from week beginning 9 April 2018. The effective date of change will be the following Monday 16 April 2018.

3. Rates for 2018-19 are increasing by 3.0% in line with the September 2017 Consumer Price Index.

4. Additional information can be obtained from the Veterans UK website

5. Circular HB A10/2017 provides full details of all social security benefit rates that will apply from April 2018.

Annex A: War Pensions rates

War Pensions Scheme benefits April 2017 £ Weekly April 2018 £ Weekly
Armed Forces Independence Payment 141.10 145.35
     
War Pensions    
Disablement Pension (100% rates) officer (£ per annum) 9,392.00 9,674.00
Other ranks 180.00 185.40
     
Age allowances payable from age 65    
40% - 50% 12.05 12.40
Over 50% but not over 70% 18.55 19.10
Over 70% but not over 90% 26.35 27.15
Over 90% 37.10 38.20
     
Disablement gratuity (one-off payment)    
Specified minor injury (min) 1,147.00 1,181.00
Specified minor injury (max) 8,559.00 8,816.00
1 – 5% gratuity 2,862.00 2,948.00
6 – 14% gratuity 6,363.00 6,554.00
15 – 19% gratuity 11,128.00 11,462.00
     
Supplementary allowances    
Unemployability allowance    
Personal 111.20 114.55
Adult dependency increase 61.80 63.65
Increase for first child 14.35 14.80
Increase for subsequent children 16.90 17.40
     
Invalidity allowance    
Higher rate 22.00 22.65
Middle rate 14.30 14.70
Lower rate 7.15 7.35
     
Constant attendance allowance    
Exceptional rate 135.80 139.80
Intermediate rate 101.85 104.85
Full day rate 67.90 69.90
Part day rate 33.95 34.95
     
Comforts allowance    
Higher rate 29.20 30.10
Lower rate 14.60 15.05
     
Mobility supplement 64.80 66.75
Allowance for lowered standard occupation (maximum) 67.88 69.92
     
Therapeutic earnings limit (annual rate) 6,240.00 6,526.00
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 67.90 69.90
     
Severe disablement occupational allowance 33.95 34.95
     
Clothing allowance (£ per annum) 232.00 239.00
     
Education allowance (£ per annum) (max) 120.00 120.00
     
Widow(er)s benefits    
Widow(er) – other ranks (basic with children) (weekly amount) 136.50 140.60
     
Widow(er) – Officer higher rate both wars (basic with children) (per annum) 7,259.00 7,477.00
     
Childless widow(er) under 40 (other ranks)(weekly amount) 32.69 33.67
     
Widow(er) – officer lower rate both wars (£ per annum) 2,521.00 2,597.00
     
Supplementary 1973 Widows/Widowers pension 91.31 94.05
Age allowance    
(a) age 65 to 69 15.55 16.00
(b) age 70 to 79 29.90 30.80
(c) age 80 and over 44.35 45.70
     
Children’s allowance    
Increase for first child 21.40 22.05
Increase for subsequent children 24.00 24.70
     
Orphan’s pension    
Increase for first child 24.50 25.25
Increase for subsequent children 26.80 27.60
     
Unmarried dependant living as spouse (max) 134.15 138.25
     
Rent allowance (maximum) 51.40 52.95
     
Adult orphan’s pension (maximum) 104.90 108.05