The Department for Work and Pensions is handing out a benefit worth £12,262 per year to eligible individuals. The DWP War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6 April 2005.
There are 2 main types of WPS awards. Which one you get depends on the level of your disablement: a gratuity is a tax free lump sum payment for disablement less than 20% and a pension is an ongoing tax free payment paid weekly or monthly for disablement more than 20%.
If your condition is Noise-Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss and your disablement is less than 20% we will not be able to pay you a pension or lump sum. The rules of the scheme and the value of the payments awarded are set by Parliament. The value of the payments increase each year in line with the consumer price index.
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The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. You can claim under the WPS if you are no longer serving in His Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces and your claimed disablement arose before 6 April 2005.
You do not need a paid representative such as a solicitor or claims management company to apply for compensation. Free independent advice is available from the Veterans Welfare Service or other charitable organisations.
The DWP adds: “If you choose paid representation, we cannot meet the cost of this and you will have to pay these costs yourself. Where someone is representing you on a ‘no-win no-fee’ basis this usually means that they will keep a share of your payment to cover their fees. You may wish to check how much of your payment will go to your representative before you agree to paid representation.
“There are no time limits for claiming, but any award will only be paid from the date of your claim.” To make a claim, visit our Apply for Armed Forces Compensation or a War Pension page.