Financial help if you've been in the forces
This content applies to England only.
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If you have been in the armed forces or your partner died as a result of their service, there may be special Government benefits, compensation schemes, financial help and other support available to you.
What help is there for veterans?
If you were injured or disabled from April 2005 as a result of working in the armed forces, you may be eligible for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. However, you won’t be eligible if you are still working for the forces.
If you were injured before April 2005, you may be eligible for a War Disablement Pension if you were working in the armed forces at the time (including if you were working as a nurse, in the auxiliary services, or were a civil defence volunteer). Depending on the extent of your disability, you may receive a lump sum or regular payments.
The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is responsible for these schemes. You can download claim forms for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or War Disablement Pensions from their website.
What help is there for widows of service personnel?
If your wife, husband or civil partner died after April 2005 as a result of their service in the armed forces or during a time of war, you may be eligible for help through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. You may also be eligible if you lived with your partner as though you were married or in a civil partnership, but will have to show a substantial relationship.
If your wife, husband or civil partner died before April 2005 as a result of their service in the armed forces or during a time of war, you may be eligible for a tax-free pension War Widow’s or War Widower’s Pension. You may also be eligible if you lived with your partner as though you were married or in a civil partnership.
The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is responsible for claims for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Widow’s Pensions. You can find out more from Directgov.
Financial advice and support for veterans
A number of agencies offer advice and financial support to veterans and their families.
The Royal British Legion (in partnership with Citizen’s Advice Bureau) provides a network of specialist money and benefits advisers across the country for veterans and their families. Find a list of specialist advisers here.
The Royal British Legion's Poppy Advice section helps ex-Service people make new War Pension claims and gives free representation at appeal hearing cases. It also helps with war widows' pension claims and compensation cases.
The RAF Benevolent Association provides RAF members, ex-members and their families with advice and financial support.
The RAF Welfare Association provides a network of welfare officers who will visit current and former RAF personnel at home to discuss your needs, provide conversation and friendship, and help with financial application forms.
The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust provides help and support for serving and ex-members of the Royal Navy and their families.
Sailine - the Seafarers’ Advice and Information Line - provides help and support if you were in the merchant navy or are a dependent of someone who was.
The Army Benevolent Fund provides financial help to soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families through the Soldiers Charity.
