War veteran housing benefit scheme to continue

Cabinet members backed the continuation of the assistance and recommended it for approval later this month

War veterans and widows of those who gave their lives in service are set to continue receiving assistance from a council housing benefit scheme.

Most incomes are factored in by Stafford Borough Council when assessing Housing Benefit entitlement although it has for several years disregarded payments such as war disablement or war widow’s pension when making decisions.

But changes to legislation relating to benefits and military compensation had prompted a review and a need to formally adopt the measure, cabinet members heard on Tuesday.

Members backed the move and recommended it be approved by the full council at its next meeting on 16 April.

'Status quo maintained'

Councillor Ralph Cooke, cabinet member for resources, said: “The council has disregarded war pensions and war widows’ pensions for many years to increase the help that affected veterans get with their rent and council tax and we intend to continue to do so.

“A recent audit of our benefit subsidy claim highlighted the fact that the council resolution confirming this discretionary spend needs to be refreshed.

"This report is that refreshment and does not change the level of Housing Benefit that is paid in any way – the status quo is maintained."

He said the authority had signed the Staffordshire Armed Forces Covenant and "continuation of support for our veterans and their widows is consistent with our obligations within that covenant".

Current Housing Benefit regulations allow for a standard disregard of £10 per week, but local authorities have a power to modify the Housing Benefit scheme to disregard some or all of any prescribed war disablement pension or war widow’s pension, the cabinet report said.

It added: “No government subsidy is paid in respect of the modified schemes and the council meets the cost of the resulting additional Housing Benefit awards.

“The effect of the report is to maintain the current level of spending of around £14,000 per year. Five claimants currently benefit from the modified scheme.”

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.