JSP 464 - Ministry of Defence

suitable home, whenever possible they should be allocated a similarly typed property to
the one occupied in the overseas location. The bereaved spouse/civil partner should be
offered an entitlement to stay in their SFA/SSFA for a 2 year period to enable them to
determine their longer term housing requirements. Retention of SFA may be extended
beyond the 2 year period at the discretion of the Local Service Commander in consultation
with the respective single Service Housing Colonel, welfare, medical and educational
authorities and DIO Ops Accommodation. The bereaved spouse/civil partner will pay
entitled SFA charges for the Type and Grade of SFA occupied (which may be liable to
change as a result of a 4 Tier Grading Board and/or the annual AFPRB round). CILOCT
charges may be abated by 25% for single occupancy
10. If during the period of entitlement DIO Ops Accommodation requires the SFA
occupied by the bereaved spouse/civil partner for upgrade or disposal purposes, or the
lease is terminated on SSFA, it would be appropriate for the bereaved spouse/civil partner
to be provided with alternative SFA/SSFA of a similar type at the same location. In these
circumstances the bereaved spouse/civil partner would be entitled to be relocated at public
expense under the same conditions as in Paragraph 3 above.
11. 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.
12. 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,
under the same conditions as in Paragraph 6 above, 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.
Remain in theatre.
13. In some cases (and particularly when family members come from the respective
theatre), the bereaved spouse/civil partner may elect to remain in theatre. The bereaved
spouse/civil partner should be offered an entitlement to stay in their SFA for a 2 year
period to enable them to determine their longer term housing requirements. Retention of
SFA may be extended beyond the 2 year period at the discretion of the Local Service
Commander in consultation with the respective single Service Housing Colonel, welfare,
As at 13 Jul 12 3C - 3