Leaving the Armed Forces?

The word ‘veteran’ often conjures up the image of someone from an older generation who served in the Second World War (or even earlier). However, anyone who has served in HM Forces, regardless of when, for how long and whether in conflict or peacetime is by definition a veteran. If you were in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, even for only one day, you are a veteran and as such can access a vast network of support and guidance.

The Veterans Agency’s welfare managers assist in resettlement and attend employment fairs organised by the Career Transition Partnership. At these events, they meet Service men and women coming to the end of their careers, who are not going to be medically discharged, but who have sustained injuries during their career that are causing some degree of disability. They can advise on when and how to make a claim for a War Disablement Pension and any other similar issues. If discharge is imminent, welfare managers will arrange for the issue of claim forms and assistance with completion.

For those Service leavers being medically discharged, special provisions are in place to try to ensure that, wherever possible, claims are finalised in time for the final discharge date. A specific section at our central offices at Norcross, Blackpool, deals with these cases.

On leaving the Services, all medical discharge cases are contacted by the welfare service. While much of the information they provide is about war pensions, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and allowances, they can also explain other benefits, including those provided by the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities. Welfare managers work closely with various other bodies dealing with a range of issues including health, mobility, housing, employment and bereavement. They can also put you in touch with other organisations, such as social services, housing associations or ex-Service organisations.

Since 6 April 2005, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) has provided a simple and quick means of compensating Service (and ex-Service) people for illness or injury sustained through their Service life. It also provides guaranteed income payments to dependants for death that occurs due to Service, including a tax-free bereavement grant of up to £20,000.

AFCS covers all Regular (including Gurkhas) and Reserve personnel and, for the first time, tax-free lump sum awards can be paid to people while they are still serving. If personnel have to leave the Service as a consequence of injury or illness due to their Service, they may also be eligible for tax-free income payments after their discharge. AFCS compensation applies only to injury, illness or death caused on, or after, 6April 2005. It does not affect anyone already receiving a war disablement or war widow pension.

The vast majority of AFCS claims received to date are from people still serving in the RN, Army and RAF. This is a significant change from the old scheme, where payments could be made only after discharge.

Any condition or symptom suffered can be the subject of a claim as long as it is Service-related. A good example is an injury caused by playing football. If the injury was sustained playing in a recognised Service team then compensation can be considered. However, an injury caused by civilian sport would be viewed as a non-Service incident and therefore discounted.

Claims can be made for any number of conditions arising from one cause, although compensation is paid only for the three severest. There is no limit to the number of incidents/accidents that can be claimed during Service life. AFCS introduces a tariff-based system of compensation payments, but insignificant injuries or illnesses will not qualify for the smallest tariff available. AFCS has been designed as a ‘no fault’ scheme, which means individuals still have the option to sue the Ministry of Defence for negligence.

Claiming is straightforward. A claim form is completed, supporting evidence is attached and then sent to the Veterans Agency. On receipt and review, either more information is requested, probably from Service medical authorities or commanding officers, or an immediate decision is made.

The Veterans Agency

The Veterans Agency is the focal point within the MoD for information and advice on issues of concern to all veterans and their families, and manages a welfare service through a network of 25 regional offices. Whatever your enquiry, whether it be accessing Service records, finding out entitlement to a pension, health concerns or any other issue, the Agency will help or use its wide network of support to point you in the right direction for sound practical assistance. Alternatively, a welfare manager can visit you in your home to provide face-to-face help on issues such as statutory benefits, health, training, employment and housing.

For more information call the free helpline on 0800 1692277, or visit the website at www.veteransagency.mod.uk