Under payment of State Pension with unemployability supplement
02 November 2011
Recipients of the state retirement pension, who also receive unemployability supplements from the Ministry of Defence, may be due arrears from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).
The Legion has become aware of a number of eligible veterans who have not yet received arrears.
In April 2006 an obscure change in legislation authorised the DWP to pay, with the state retirement pension, the difference between unemployability supplements and the Basic State Pension. Some people received payment from April 2008 of the difference of £1.00 per week, without application or notification that arrears were actually owed from April 2006. A number of veterans have not been paid this difference. The difference (£3.60 for 2011/12) arose when the Basic State Pension was increased above the Retail Price Index, but unemployability supplements were not.
If you think this might affect you or someone you know please contact the Legion's Benefits and Money Advice service via:
Email: Pensions
Telephone +44 (0)20 3207 2164 / 2168
Fax +44 (0)20 3207 2218
War Pensions & Compensation
Service
The Royal British Legion
Haig House, 199 Borough High Street
London SE1 1AA
