War Widow's Pension

War Widow's Pension is tax-free and is paid to the widow of a member of the armed forces whose death was due to or substantially hastened by their service. Other dependants of a deceased member of the armed forces may also receive pensions under the War Widow's Pension Scheme.

There are different rates payable depending on individual circumstances.

The widow of a member of the armed forces whose death is due to or substantially hastened by service in HM Armed forces (including the Ulster Defence Regiment, now the Royal Irish Regiment, the Home Guard and the Nursing and Auxiliary Forces);

The widow of a member of the Mercantile Marine whose death is the direct result of a war injury, war risk injury or detention by the enemy, sustained during the First or Second World Wars, Korean War, Suez crisis, Falklands or Gulf conflicts;

The widow of a member of the Naval Auxiliary Personnel Forces, HM Coastguard or Auxiliary Coastguard whose death is the direct result of a war injury or war risk injury or detention by the enemy, sustained during the Second World War;

The widow of a member of the Polish Forces whose death is due to service in the Polish Forces under British Command during the Second World War or in the Polish Resettlement Forces;

The widow of a Civilian or Civil Defence Volunteer whose death is the direct result of a war injury or war service injury sustained during the Second World War;

A widow whose husband was a War Pensioner receiving Constant Attendance Allowance at the time of his death (or would have been if he had not been in hospital).

A widow whose husband was a War Pensioner with a disability assessed at not less than 80% and who was receiving Unemployability Supplement at the time of his death.

If the customer was living with the deceased as his wife at the time of his death and was wholly or substantially maintained by the deceased 6 months prior to the commencement of service, and is looking after his child, she may be able to receive a pension.

If the widow's husband was a War Pensioner with a disability assessed at less than 80% and he was receiving Unemployability Supplement at the time of his death, she can receive a temporary allowance for 26 weeks even if she does not qualify for a Widow's Pension.

Widows of War Pensioners are advised to contact the War Pensions Agency.

Widowers and Other Dependants of a deceased member of the armed forces may also receive pensions under the War Pensions Scheme.

War Widowers Pension could be payable to a man if:

The couple must have been married before the start of the disability for which she received the war pension.

An orphan could get a pension if a parent's death was due to service.

Write to:
War Pensions Agency,
Norcross,
Blackpool,
FY5 3WP

Or
Telephone the War Pensions Freeline on 0800 169 2277 as soon as possible after the death.

Claim forms can also be downloaded from the Veterans Agency Website

War Widows Pension offers customers a choice of how they receive payment, the options are as follows:

For officers:

For all other ranks

Usually payable for life or until remarriage, or to the date of starting to live with a man as his wife.

If a customer remarries or lives with a man as his wife, payment of her pension or allowances (except for any allowance for a dependent child which can still be paid unless the husband adopts the children in which case the allowance has to be withdrawn) will stop.

If the husband subsequently dies or there is a divorce or legal separation, the pension may be restored, and she should contact War Pensions Agency.

War Widow's Pension is paid at a lower rate if a widow is under 40 and has no children.

The higher rate is paid to:

Rates vary according to the late husband's rank.

An additional allowance is paid from the age of 65, increasing at age 70 and 80.

An allowance for each dependent child can be paid, as can other allowances such as rent allowance.

Widows of men whose service in the Armed Forces ended before 31st March 1973, certain Ulster Defence Regiment and New Zealand widows will receive an additional supplementary pension.

The maximum rate of pension for a widower is the same as that for a widow.

The rate of orphan's pension for an orphan aged 18 who is incapable of supporting himself is the same as the rate of basic State Retirement Pension but this is subject to other overlapping benefits.

For other dependants the rates are very low.

A War Widow's Pension cannot be paid with a National Insurance Widow's Pension.

A war widow can receive a Retirement Pension in addition to a War Widow's Pension if it is earned by her own contributions.

For current rates, see WPA9

£10 of a War Widows Pension will be disregarded when assessing:

The DSS War Widows Pension may be paid in addition to a Service Widows Pension administered under the MOD Armed Forces "Occupational" Pension Scheme.

For further general advice and help with new and ongoing claims ring:

The War Pensioner's Welfare Service offers help and advice on any sort of problem, including issues relating to new, ongoing and existing claims.

The Northern Ireland branch is: