Decision

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

a.     Approved the continuation of West Northants Council’s modified scheme for the full disregard of War Disablement and War Widows/Widowers Pensions in the assessment of Housing Benefit and our local Council Tax Reduction. 

b.     Approved the Policy at Appendix A. 

REASON RESOLVED:

1. Approval to continue the modified scheme and the overarching policy for West Northants Council will ensure that existing financial support for war veterans and their families is maintained and will avoid any loss of benefit. 
2. Sections 134 (8) and 139 (6) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 provide local authorities with powers to modify Housing Benefit schemes and to disregard all or part of a prescribed War Widows/Widower’s and War Disablement Pensions when assessing entitlement to Housing Benefit. 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

1. The legacy Councils had schemes in place to disregard War Widows/Widowers and War Disablement Pensions in the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, and this scheme was adopted by West Northants Council from April 2021. This report seeks approval for the scheme and the Policy to continue. 
2. The continuation of the scheme recognises the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families and ensures that recipients of these pensions are not disadvantaged. 
3. To discontinue the scheme would mean that veterans and their families would see a reduction in their benefits.