Housing Benefit War Pensions Disregard Policy

1.      Introduction

1.1     This policy sets out the circumstances in which War Pensions will be fully disregarded when calculating a claimant’s income when assessing eligibility for Housing Benefit.

1.2 The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 make a statutory provision for the first £10.00 of income from War Widow/(Widowers)/War Disablement   Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to be disregarded in any Housing Benefit assessment.  The cost of this disregard is fully reimbursed to the Council.

1.3 The Social Security Administration Act 1992 gives the Council the discretion to disregard any amount it chooses in addition to the statutory provision.  The Council has fully disregarded the income claimants receive from the War Widow (Widowers)/War Disablement schemes and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

2.      Policy aims

2.1     The policy aims to:

· Promote a simple and transparent process that is easily understood.

· Provide staff with guidance for making fair, reasonable and transparent decisions; and

· Ensure that income from the schemes is treated fairly and consistently when assessing entitlement to Housing Benefit.

3.      Policy

3.1 In line with Section 134(8) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, the Council will fully disregard income from War Widows (Widowers)/War Disablement schemes and the Armed Forces Compensation scheme when assessing entitlement to Housing Benefit.

4.      Evidence and change in circumstances

4.1 The claimant will be required to provide evidence of their income from War Widows (Widowers)/War Disablement and the Armed Forces Compensation schemes at the time of their application for Housing Benefit.  They will also be required to provide evidence of any changes to their income each April.

5.      Fraud and error

5.1     The Council takes fraud seriously and all allegations of fraud will be investigated.  Should a person make a false statement or provide incorrect evidence in support of their application for Housing Benefit, they may commit a criminal offence.