War Widow's or Widower's Pension

You may be entitled to a pension if you lived with a partner as husband and wife or as civil partners.

Who can get it — the full rules

One of the following must apply. Your husband, wife or civil partner:

• died as result of their service in HM Armed Forces before 6 April 2005
• was a civil defence volunteer or a civilian and their death was a result of the 1939 to 1945 war
• was a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services, or a coastguard and their death was a result of an injury or disease they got during a war or because they were a prisoner of war
• was getting a War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance at the time of their death, or would have been had they not been in hospital
• was getting a War Disablement Pension at the 80% rate or higher and was getting Unemployability Supplement

They must have served before 6 April 2005, but you may be eligible if they died of an illness or injury later.

Service on or after 6 April 2005

If your partner was injured, developed an illness or died as a result of service on or after 6 April 2005, you can claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

What you get

War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension is paid at different rates depending on your age and circumstances.

You do not pay tax on it.

How to claim

To claim War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension you can either download a claim form or contact the Veterans UK helpline and ask for a claim form.

It also exempts your household from the benefit cap.

Common questions

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