Single War Pensioners and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

intranicity

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but wondered how many others feel the same?

I've been a War pensioner since 1993, over the years my injury has made things harder and harder and now I'm on a 60% WP, Unemployability Supp and about 6 other War Pension bits and pieces.

My issues and concerns are as follows:

1. My War pension is enough to meet day to day living costs (just) but know where near enough to pay housing aswell, luckily I get a 100% disregard on my War pensions and thus get housing and council tax benefit.

2. With these benefits, I now have a reasonable existence if I'm careful, no holidays etc, but I can pay my bills

3. I'm in a catch 22 situation, enough income to get a mortgage in theory, but get a mortgage and then unable to get housing benefit and then to poor to pay a mortgage, stuck renting for life...... Also, I'm single, so if I met someone, I look like I'm doing OK, but if we moved in together, I'd lose a massive amount of my income and almost feel that I'm taking advantage of a future partner!!!

4. Also because of being able to get housing benefit, I'm unable to have savings of more than £6k (Wish lol) but if I am able to save up some money for an even rainier day, i'd lose my housing benefit, or at least some of it.

5. I'm also VERY WORRIED about the new rules that the government are bringing in to centralise all benefits into one, meaning Housing and Council Tax benefit will be administered and paid by the DWP, most councils do a 100% disregard on my income, but the statutary disregard is only £10 a week, I would end up homeless if this was the case.

I'm not seeking sympathy, pity or anything, just after opinions and thoughts from others in similar situations. I have spoken to the RBL and my MP about this and could do with some feedback, if only housing was considered in the War pension, ie instead of being paid housing benefit I received this money as maybe War pensioners Housing Supplement, all these issues would not be an issue.

I loved serving Queen and Country, and had a great time and given my time again, I'd still join up, I'd just like a chance to be able to get on with my life without worrying when I'll be homeless again.

Thanks

secdean

Did you qualify for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme? and have you claimed?
You can contact the SSAFA Legal housing advice team on 020 7463 9398. Im not fond of SSAFA but give it a crack, they have housing around the UK, and you may be able to move into a independant living house, and not fear losing anything but I m not sure.

intranicity

Injured prior to 2005, so not eligible for the AFCS, i'll look into SSAFA, might well be an option

Thanks

secdean

Was there no scheme before AFCS? I got a pay out from it a couple years ago.

secdean

Also, check this website out its impressive, they have homes around the UK. Nice ones too away from
council areas, Im gona see about one in the north east. Haig Homes website, as a new user i cannot post links.

intranicity

Been looking at Haig Homes, yes, it does sound good. Need to see if it's suitable, as I would only be entitled to a flat from looking at it

The AFCS replaced the War Pension Scheme, so if your injury is prior to 6th April 2005 you get accessed on the War Pension Scheme (My case 1st Gulf War era), if you get/got injured on/after the 7th April 2005, you're on AFCS. Not sure why they did this, all to do with the changes in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme I think?

It's sad, the Government make all this noise about looking after the troops, and the increases in the money and compensation that they are paying injured Ex Servicemen, but that only applies if your injury is post 2005, WW2, Korean, Northern Ireland, Falklands, Bosnia, Gulf Wars, Iraq and even some of the Afghanistan veterans will never see these increase, as we are War Pensioners, even Johnson Beharry VC will not get this extra help as his injuries were sustained in 2004, so when he leaves the Army he will have to apply for a War Pension!

Same goes for Help 4 Heroes and Tickets for troops, they only help if you are injured after 9/11/01, not bitter, they have done loads to help and raise public awareness, but the public I think believe that they help injured ex servicemen, and they do, but only if you were 'lucky' enough to get injured after a certain date! SNAFU