War Pensions – Clothing Allowance

Under Section 28 of the War Pensions Act there is provision for the payment of an allowance for wear and tear on clothing or footwear or soiling of clothing, this is known as the ‘Clothing Allowance’.

Who is entitled?

Amputees who have suffered the loss in whole or in part of:

1. two limbs;
2. a leg;
3. an arm.

Non-amputees who are obliged to use any mechanical device or other appliance, other than an artificial limb. Or are suffering from a disability which causes or leads to the soiling of clothing.

How to apply

In the case of amputees, Clothing Allowance is paid automatically when the war disablement pension is granted or adjusted, on the account of the amputation.

Non-amputees.There is no formal application form and the pensioner should make a request in writing for this payment. Such request should state whether the appliance is used continuously or otherwise and on what medical advice it was obtained or details of the soiled clothing.

War Pensions staff will also invite application when it is apparent from the pensioner’s file that an appliance, such as a brace or abdominal belt is being worn as part of the authorised treatment or, the pensioner, suffers the soiling of clothing as a direct result of an accepted disability.

Payment

Clothing Allowance is paid two weekly, along with the War Disability Pension payments. The amount paid is graduated depending on the type of amputation, appliance worn or the degree of the soiling of clothing.

Help is at hand

The Staff, in the War Pensions Central Processing Unit Hamilton, are more than willing to give you further advice on the Clothing Allowance or to answer any other questions, you may have, regarding War Pensions.

The Unit can be contacted on (freephone) 0800 553 003.