JSP 464 - Ministry of Defence

5. Unless the bereaved spouse/civil partner indicates that it is their intention to vacate
the SFA/SSFA within the first 6 months, a review of their intentions should be undertaken
by DIO Ops Accommodation in consultation with the sponsoring unit and/or
Visiting/Welfare Officer initially, at the 6 month point following the death, and then at each
3 month point thereafter, until the time has been reached when the bereaved spouse/civil
partner’s longer term housing requirements have become clear (normally within 2 years).
When that point is reached it would be appropriate for DIO Ops Accommodation to give
the bereaved spouse/civil partner 93 days notice to vacate the SFA/40 days notice to
vacate the SSFA, thereby signifying the end of their entitlement to SFA/SSFA. In the
event that the Services in consultation with the respective housing provider
determine a requirement to withdraw the SFA entitlement either during or beyond
the 2 year period against the wishes of a bereaved spouse/civil partner, a case is to
be made through the respective single Service Housing Colonel to Asst Hd
DCDS(Pers) SVW-AFW who will make an appropriate submission to Ministers.
6. On expiry of their entitlement to SFA/SSFA (last day of the notice to vacate period)
the bereaved spouse/civil partner would be entitled to be relocated at public expense,
consisting of furniture removal expenses and the appropriate rate of Disturbance
Allowance, from the SFA/SSFA to alternative and privately arranged accommodation. If
required, DIO Ops Accommodation is to provide the bereaved spouse/civil partner with a
‘Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to SFA’ to assist in applying for Local Authority
housing. Once the bereaved spouse/civil partner has vacated SFA there is no entitlement
to re-occupy SFA. However, the bereaved spouse/civil partner may request to occupy
temporarily surplus SFA either at the same location or elsewhere as an eligible occupant
under a lease/tenancy agreement on payment of the appropriate market rent.
OVERSEAS
7. Bereaved spouse/civil partners based in overseas locations may either seek
repatriation back to UK, or remain in theatre in accordance with the following provisions:
Repatriation back to UK.
8. In most cases it is anticipated that a bereaved spouse/civil partner would wish to
return to UK as soon as possible after bereavement to be with relatives and friends in
order to ease both the grieving process and the transition back into the civilian community.
The respective Command is responsible for repatriating the bereaved spouse/civil partner
and authorizing the appropriate passage. The bereaved spouse/civil partner would be
entitled to be relocated at public expense, consisting of furniture removal expenses within
the Furniture Movement Scheme area, or the appropriate rank based entitlement of
unaccompanied baggage from elsewhere, and the appropriate rate of Disturbance
Allowance. In addition, any furniture being stored at public expense may remain in store
for a period of up to 3 months after repatriation and may then be conveyed at public
expense to SFA/SSFA being occupied in UK.
9. The repatriated spouse/civil partner is entitled to SFA/SSFA in UK in a preferred area
of choice which may be within 50 miles of either the home of an immediate member of
their family or their child’s school. DIO Ops Accommodation is to deal with each
application on case by case basis and subject to the availability of housing always attempt
to provide SFA/SSFA as close as possible to the preferred location. Whilst the primary
requirement is for DIO Ops Accommodation to provide the spouse/civil partner with a
As at 13 Jul 12 3C - 2