Thursday, February 7, 2013

Injured troops to receive £7,000-a-year for life to spare them extra medical tests under welfare reforms

article-0-006EF5E800000258-319_306x423I am really happy our servicemen & women are going to be getting some extra funds to cope with injuries/disabilities inflicted upon them during their service, we have some of the finest military men and women in the world and it’s only right they should get what is rightfully deserved in the way of monetary benefits.

What I do see as a problem is that the government have decided to try to divide Military disabled from Civilian disabled, one being more worthy than the other, this has been done on purpose to try to allay the fears of the Politicians in the Tory Party, they are trying to get away from the nasty Party logo.                



Wounded war veterans are to receive £7,000-a-year for life to ensure welfare reforms do not affect the  military.

In future maimed forces veterans will not  face extra assessments of their disability by civil servants to confirm the  results of existing military tests.

Disability minister Esther McVey told  MailOnline said the new funds would recognise the ‘unique support needs of  veterans’.

She revealed the total amount available to  injured soldiers, sailors and pilots will be £6,988.80 per year, more than £200  extra than thought when the policy was announced last year.

Disability Living Allowance is being scrapped  from April but ministers have agreed that the payments will be continued for  former defence personnel whose injuries sustained in the line of duty affect  their quality of life
The Personal Independence Payment will be paid  to all working-age people with serious problems, but claimants will be  re-examined and could have payments cut.

However, the Armed Forces Independence  Payment will be awarded by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Armed Forces  Compensation Scheme and will not affect any other benefits to which claimants  are entitled.

Injured ex-troops will automatically receive  on-going payments to help with the additional costs associated with their  injuries.

Miss McVey said: ‘A considerable sacrifice is  made by a number of courageous members of the Armed Forces who have been injured  as a result of their service to the Nation.

‘That is why we are simplifying and  streamlining the welfare support for the most severely injured veterans when  they return to the UK.

‘It will help to recognise the unique support  needs of veterans.’

The government’s major reforms of the welfare  system will see the introduction of a single payment for most benefits – known  as the Universal Credit – rolled out from this year.

But ministers insist job-seeking forces  veterans will not lose out when the new system comes into force.

Any ongoing income that veterans get from  Ministry of Defence compensation schemes and the new Armed Forces Independence  Payment will not be taken into account when calculating how much support they  should receive through Universal Credit.

In July David Cameron intervened in a  benefits row after it emerged wounded troops would not automatically receive  help under new welfare rules.

Read more...