LCWRA and ALSO (Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation)

BeeHappy55

I was awarded ALSO as part of my War Pension in 1995. Am I no longer entitled to it if I claim LCWRA?

Gandalf644

BeeHappy55 said:

I was awarded ALSO as part of my War Pension in 1995. Am I no longer entitled to it if I claim LCWRA?

It all depends on when you claimed the ALSO and if you were also receiving ESA (or it's previous analogous benefits) back then. 

If claimed before 5th April 2009 then you can claim both. If after this date, then sadly not - it is one or the other. 

It is as set out in the ammendment to the Service Pensions Order (Amendment SI 706/2009) under article 15:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/706/pdfs/uksi_20090706_en.pdf

Just be aware that if you elect to claim only ALSO, make sure the DWP keep your ESA/UC claim live for 'National Insurance (NI) credits only' if no other money is received from them in order to count towards your state pension as there are no NI credits made with War Pension ALSO (only War Pension Unemployability Supplement).  

BeeHappy55

Thanks for your reply.

I have not claimed any previous benefits from DWP.  I was awarded ALSO in 1995 as part of my War Pension following medical discharge from the Army.

I have been claiming UC since July 2023, and I am due to start to receive LCWRA in January 2026.  

Veterans UK/War Pensions Scheme are telling me that once I start receiving LCWRA my ALSO will stop....this isn't right, is it? (as I claimed it prior to 5th April 2009).