Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has welcomed news that military compensation payments such as War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments will not be considered as “income” under the new Universal Credit benefit which is due to be introduced early next year.
Mr Copeland who is his Party’s Social Development spokesperson and a former Army Officer, said:
“There has been a great deal of concern amongst many former service personnel that the new Universal Credit, which will combine a number of existing benefits including housing benefit, income related employment and support allowance and working tax credit into one system, could leave former service personnel worse off.
The Royal British Legion had voiced concerns that only £10 of military compensation payments would be disregarded and the remainder would have been classed as “income.”
I am pleased to say that following representations, the UK Government has decided that these payments will not be considered income and will be fully disregarded.
This is good news and should mean that may of those injured in the Service of their Country will not lose out and in some cases may find themselves better off.”
ENDS