Extended War Widows/Widowers Pension Period

The Ministry of Defence has announced an additional period of payment for the estate of individuals who received a Restored War Widows/War Widowers Pension. This payment is in recognition of spouses who forfeited their pensions before 2015.

You may be eligible to claim for an additional period of RWP if:

• You are the person responsible for the estate, the beneficiary of the estate or the next of kin of a person who received an RWP
• The original War Widows/Widowers Pension (WWP) was paid because the serviceperson died in service and the WWP ceased because a new relationship was formed, and that relationship ended and
• The RWP was not paid from 19 July 1995 where the later marriage had ended before that date or
• The RWP was not paid from 7 April 1997 where the later living with a partner had ended before that date or
• The RWP was not paid from the day after the later relationship ended if it was after the above dates.
• There will not be any further payment due where the later relationship ended on or after 9 April 2018.

To make a claim review please fill out the form on the page attached, named 'Additional period of Restored War Widow/Widower Pension application form WPS0004RA'. The form comes with notes telling you how to fill it in.

Help with your application The following services may be able to assist you in finding the details of an individual who died during service:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) hold records of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

• The Armed Forces Memorial roll of honour records members of the armed forces killed since WWII.

• The National Archives is the UK government’s official archive. Signed-in users can download digital records for free. However, there may be additional charges for some services.

The Ministry of Defence website provides information on military veteran policies, healthcare, housing, records, pensions and more.