Increase in Widows' pensions and allowances, 1919

[alf mcm]

 I was recently looking through some pension records on Findmypast, in their “First World War Widows’ Pensions Forms”.

  It became obvious that there had been a substantial increase in pensions, and children’s allowances, by the end of 1919. All pensions and allowances were increased on 3^rd September 1919.

The following records wqere used;-

Widow, under 45, no children

 

Widow over 45, no children   https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FPIN82%2F103%2F0011&parentid=GBM%2FPIN82%2F005283

Widow, 1 child  https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FPIN82%2F171%2F0041&parentid=GBM%2FPIN82%2F008893

Widow, 2 children  https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FPIN82%2F141%2F0027&parentid=GBM%2FPIN82%2F007279

Widow, 3 children  https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FPIN82%2F076%2F0002&parentid=GBM%2FPIN82%2F003934

Widow, 6 children  https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FPIN82%2F168%2F0036&parentid=GBM%2FPIN82%2F008729  

 

  By checking through some of the records {samples above} I was able to establish the following;-

Widow’s pension – increased from 13s.9d. to 26s.8d.

Widow’s pension {45 and over} – increased from 15s. to 26s.8d.

Children’s allowances;-

1^st child – changed from 6s.8d. to 10s.

2^nd child – changed from 5s. to 7s.6d.

Each additional child – changed from 4s.2d. to 6s.

Bereavement grant – increased from £5 to £8.

 

  I am not sure if the marriage bounty was still paid, and don’t know when the pensions and allowances were next increased.

  Does anyone know if there is a record online which confirms these figures?

 

Regards,

Alf McM

[ss002d6252]

Yes, the 1919 RW made significant changes to the amounts and a few different tweaks to the entitlement rules.

Disabled man child allowance

Widows (the age allowance being at age 40)

 

There is no on-line resource available at the moment - but I am working on something.

Craig

[alf mcm]

Thanks Craig,

  I see that widows without children received a lesser rate than those with children.

  I look forward to seeing what you are working on.

Regards,

Alf McM

[ilkley remembers]

I think that all pensions were increased by 20% by Royal Warrant in 1918. This was probably to take into account the significant rise in average wages that had occurred during the war years and the concomitant increase in the cost of living

 

IR

[Matlock1418]

On 23/09/2021 at 09:57, ss002d6252 said:

1919 RW made significant changes to the amounts and a few different tweaks to the entitlement rules.

Craig,

Thanks for this - what date and what dates effective please?

Would also be most helpful if you could please remind us of the previous Royal Warrants [with dates] and the dated periods for which they were effective for disabilities [and for widows/children/dependants etc.]

TIA.

:-) M

[ss002d6252]

1917 - Effective from 1 April 1917 (first pay date after)
1918 - Effective from 1 May 1918
1919 - Effective from 3 September 1919

Craig

[Matlock1418]

10 hours ago, ss002d6252 said:

1917 - Effective from 1 April 1917 (first pay date after)
1918 - Effective from 1 May 1918
1919 - Effective from 3 September 1919

Thank you Craig.

:-) M

[alf mcm]

10 hours ago, ss002d6252 said:

1917 - Effective from 1 April 1917 (first pay date after)
1918 - Effective from 1 May 1918
1919 - Effective from 3 September 1919

Craig

Thanks from me too, Craig.

Regards,

Alf McM