WAR PENSIONS QUARTERLY STATISTICS - September 2000

25 Jan 2001 12:00 AM

The September 2000 War Pensions Quarterly Statistics are available from today. This First Release contains information on new claims and the characteristics of those receiving war pensions and allowances at the end of each quarter (for the first three quarters of 2000). This is the first time that this information has been published as a National Statistic.

The main findings are:

* The number of Disablement Pension first claims registered during the first 3 quarters of 2000 fell from 2,451 to 2,140, whilst the number of new claims from Widows fell from 771 to 703.

* More than 4 out of 5 Disablement Pensioners have pensions awarded at the 50% rate or less. The largest group are those at the 20% rate. Less than 1% receive the 100% disablement rate.

* The overall average weekly amount of war pension is #58.58.

* The average weekly amount received by widows is #164.28. The actual War Widows portion of the pension makes up just over half the total, with the remainder being made up of Supplementary Allowances.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Background to War Pensions

Pensions, allowances or other payments may be awarded where disablement or death is a result of service in HM Forces, or of an injury sustained as a result of war-time service in the Naval Auxiliary Service, or the Mercantile Marine. Awards may also be made in respect of service in the Polish Forces under British command during World War Two. Whilst most payments are made to people living in Great Britain, or Northern Ireland some recipients are from overseas. Pensions, allowances or other payments may also be awarded where the disablement or death of a civilian or a member of a Civil defence organisation is the direct result of an injury sustained as a result of enemy action in World War Two.

Age Allowance

This may be paid to a war disablement pensioner (man or woman) who is aged 65 or over and whose disablement is assessed at 40% or more.

Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation (ALSO)

This may be paid if a pensioner''s earning capacity is reduced because their pensioned disablement permanently prevents them following their regular occupation. To gain entitlement new claimants must be under age 65, with a service disablement of at least 40% when they make their claim. This allowance plus their basic War Disablement Pension cannot exceed the 100% disablement pension rate.

Comforts Allowance (COMF)

This may be paid to a severely disabled pensioner who is receiving Constant Attendance Allowance or Unemployability Supplement or both. It is intended to help with the extra expenses associated with severe disablement.

Disablement Pension (DP)

This is paid at a rate which varies according to the degree of disablement. The degree of disablement is assessed on a percentage basis by the War Pension Agency medical advisors.

Elderly Widow''s Age Allowance

A war widow may receive an additional allowance at age 65 which is increased at age 70 and again at age 80.

Modified Over Age Infirm Allowance (MOIA)

Compensation/allowances (including that paid to children living in the Irish Republic or Overseas) due to infirmity are taken into account when calculating an award of (OAIA) and adjustments are made if necessary.

Over Age Infirm Allowance (OAIA)

Over Age Infirm Allowance for children of deceased pensioners unable to support themselves dates back to the 1914 War. The allowance can be awarded or continued beyond the normal age limits on the grounds of infirmity if ailment is of a nature which is likely to prevent the person from earning a living either permanently or for a prolonged period and infirmity commenced before age 16. The person is still referred to as child even though they may be quite elderly.

Unemployability Supplement (UNSUPP)

This may be paid to a pensioner who is unemployable or virtually unemployable as a result of the war pensioned disablement. To gain entitlement, new claimants must be under age 65, with a pensioned disablement assessed at 60% or more when they make their claim. Additional allowances may be paid for a spouse and a child or children.

War Pensioner''s Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

This is intended to help with the mobility costs of a pensioner who is unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk. New claimants must have a service disablement of at least 40%. It is paid to double amputees and to those pensioners who need help getting about because they are both deaf and blind as a result of their pensioned disablement.

War Widow''s Pension (WWP)

The standard rate of pension may be paid if the widow has a dependant child, or is over 40, or is incapable of self-support. The lower rate is paid to childless widows under the age of 40. If the husband was receiving Constant Attendance Allowance or, at the time of his death was 80% or more disabled and receiving Unemployability Supplement, a War Widows Pension is awarded automatically irrespective of the cause of death.

Information source

The quarterly data are derived from a 100% extract of the War Pensions Computer System. Information is held on the characteristics of new claims and of those receiving war pensions and allowances at the end of each quarter, (for the first three quarters of 2000) in Great Britain (including those people currently overseas).

Issued by:

Department of Social Security Information Centre Analytical Services Division

To obtain more detailed information contact: Andrew Needham, Information Centre (Collation Team): 0191-225-3130