Basildon Council reaffirms support for Veterans and their families
Basildon Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting those who have served in the armed forces by agreeing to continue its enhanced scheme for the voluntary disregard of War Disablement Pensions and War Widow's Pensions when assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims.
War Disablement Pensions are provided to individuals who have been injured or disabled as a result of their service or due to wartime conditions. War Widow's Pensions support the surviving spouses or civil partners of those who lost their lives in service.
While the national policy only disregards the first £10 of income from these pensions, Basildon Council has maintained a more generous approach, ensuring that 100% of these pensions are disregarded in local benefit assessments.
This means eligible residents receive full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction without having their pensions counted as income.
Speaking at the council meeting, Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Gavin Callaghan, said:
"This is a continuation of a principle we've long upheld — that those who have served their country should not be disadvantaged. Unlike the national framework, we've chosen to go further by disregarding 100% of these pensions. This reflects the value we place on the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.
"I'm proud that Basildon continues to lead the way in this area. It's not just a moral decision — it's a practical one, and it's the right thing to do."
Basildon Council has upheld this full disregard policy for many years, underlining its ongoing dedication to recognising the contribution of the armed forces community.
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Published 16 April 2025.