Month: April 2020

Alex

IODPA Admin Testimonial
Alex

Alex’s story

I had nearly completed my full thirty years but one event put paid to that followed by a complete breakdown which ensured that I never entered my police station again as a serving officer.

After twelve months on sick leave, the force decided to grant me early ill health requirement after the SMP recommended it for various physical injuries, depression and anxiety.

My own GP, who I had seen regularly over the twelve months told me that he thought that I was suffering from PTSD but couldn’t give me a definitive diagnosis. Being confused and not in a great position to understand what was required by the regulations, I was told by a friend to contact IODPA.

From the moment that I contacted them, I was supported and guided. I felt like I had a genuine friend who was always there and never left my side. (I still have regular contact now and eternally grateful for that support).

I was directed to get a proper diagnosis of PTSD from a consultant psychiatrist and approached my local official body asking them if they could assist with an injury on duty application. They told me in no uncertain terms that I wouldn’t get anything for a psychological injury. Initially I believed this to be the case, but took this info back to IODPA for their thoughts.

With the support of IODPA and a bit of (gentle) persuasion, my application was submitted and not long after that I received an IOD award. IODPA were right in that my PTSD was most definitely an IOD.

Without the support of IODPA, I would not have received what I was entitled to.  I would urge any retired injured officers who are going through the “process” to contact IODPA as the support and advice is second to none.

Government Capitulate Over Psychiatric Injury Award

IODPA Admin newsflash, regulation 12
Government Capitulate Over Psychiatric Injury Award

The Government have capitulated over the granting of psychiatric injury awards when faced with a looming court challenge.

Regulation 12 of The Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 allows for an additional ‘Disablement gratuity’ to injured officers where it could be shown that within 12 months of so receiving their injury, they become or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of that injury.

It was successfully argued that the regulations discriminated against officers with mental health conditions such as PTSD, as often the full extent of these types of injuries are not fully recognised until after the 12 month time limit. This will provide parity for officers with mental health injuries compared to those with physical injuries.

The Government have also agreed to review this part of the regulations.

Congratulations to Ron Thompson of Haven Solicitors, David Lock QC and Leon Glenister of Landmark Chambers for bringing this successful case.

Here is the press release –

 

 

Possible Pension Miscalculations in PSNI – Update

IODPA Admin newsflash, PSNI
PSNI

PSNI

On 2nd October 2019, we published a news item regarding concerns over substantial underpayments of ill-health pensions by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (‘PSNI’).

You can read the original article here – https://iodpa.org/2019/10/02/possible-pension-miscalculations-in-psni/

In summary, a number of officers who had joined under the Police Pension Scheme 1988 (‘PPS 1988’), and retired under the Police Pension Scheme 2015 (‘PPS 2015’) thought that their pensions appeared on the low side.

After making contact with us, we recalculated their pensions, which PSNI subsequently confirmed were closer to their true value. We understand that two officers alone had back payments in the region of £80,000 between them.

Disappointingly, last week, we were contacted by another former officer over the same issue. We calculated that they too had been under paid and were due a back payment of approximately £20,000. PSNI confirmed our findings and agreed to put matters right in their May 2020 pension payment.

These are not small sums of money and as this matter was first brought to the attention of the PSNI over five months ago, we are truly shocked that they don’t appear to have either identified those pensioners that may have been affected or written to those former officers to inform them that they may have had their pensions miscalculated.

We have written to the Finance and Support Services Department of the PSNI asking them to expedite this matter.