You can claim compensation if you were injured or got an illness while serving in the armed forces (including the reserve forces). Compensation may include: a lump sum regular payments What you can claim for You can claim compensation for any injury or illness that happened as a result of your service, including physical and mental conditions. You can also claim: if you were injured during a service-related activity, eg a training exercise for conditions you had before service if you feel your service made them worse If you’re a victim of crime while serving abroad Find out if you qualify for the Criminal Injuries Compensation (Overseas) scheme if you were the victim of a violent crime while serving abroad.

The compensation you get depends on either: when you were injured when the circumstances happened that caused your illness What you get might be reduced if you’re getting compensation from another scheme. If your injury or illness is due to service after 5 April 2005 If your claim is successful, you’ll get a tax-free lump sum payment between £1,236 and £650,000. The amount you get will depend on how severe your injury is. If you have a more serious illness or injury You may also receive a tax-free monthly payment for life when you’re discharged - sometimes known as a Guaranteed Income Payment ( GIP ). The GIP is based on your salary, age and how severe your injury is. If your GIP payment level is 50% of your salary or more, you can also claim an Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). If your injury or illness is due to service before 6 April 2005 If your claim is successful, you’ll be awarded either: a pension - if your disability is assessed at 20% or more a lump sum - if your disability is assessed at less than 20% The amount you get will depend on how severe your injury is. You might also be able to get other allowances if you’re having problems getting around or finding a job.

The rules for qualifying are different depending on when you were injured. If your injury or illness is due to service after 5 April 2005 Claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme ( AFCS ). To qualify you must be: a current or former member of the armed forces applying no later than 7 years after the injury or illness, unless you’re claiming for an illness that started later (sometimes known as a ‘late onset illness’) If your injury or illness is due to service before 6 April 2005 Claim under the War Pension Scheme ( WPS ). There are no time limits for claiming under the WPS but you must be no longer serving in the armed forces.

Fill in the claim form and send it to the address on the form. It’s the same claim form for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and War Pension Scheme (WPS). You can ask the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) for help with making your claim. You may be contacted for more evidence in support of your claim. You may be able to apply for a ‘fast payment’ of £60,000 if you were seriously injured during service after 8 May 2011.

If you disagree with the decision on your claim

You can write to Veterans UK to ask them reconsider their decision. Veterans UK Norcross Thornton Cleveleys Lancashire, FY5 3WP You can also appeal to an independent tribunal within 12 months.

You can apply for a Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) while your compensation claim is being dealt with. You might also be able to get: other allowances if your injury or illness is due to service before 6 April 2005 an Armed Forces Independence Payment ( AFIP ) if you were seriously injured on or after 6 April 2005 Armed Forces Independence Payment ( AFIP ) Once you’ve had the result of your compensation claim , you might be able to claim AFIP if you’ve been seriously injured. AFIP is £172.75 per week. It’s tax free and is paid every 4 weeks into your bank account . Eligibility You’re eligible if both of the following apply: you were injured on or after 6 April 2005 you’re given a Guaranteed Income Payment ( GIP ) of 50% or more You’ll get the payment as long as you’re entitled to this level of GIP . You won’t be reassessed in the future. If you’re not eligible for AFIP, you can get a PIP if you have a long-term health condition or disability. How to claim Contact Veterans UK for a claim form. There’s no deadline. Veterans UK Telephone: 0808 191 4218 From overseas: +44 1253 866 043 Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 6.30pm Friday, 7.30am to 5.00pm Find out about call charges Claiming other benefits with AFIP If you get AFIP you might be eligible for other benefits , eg Child Tax Credit. AFIP is not counted as income when working out your what other benefits you can claim. Your household is exempt from the benefit cap if you or your partner are getting AFIP .

Claim if you were injured while serving in the armed forces

Overview

You can claim compensation if you were injured or got an illness while serving in the armed forces (including the reserve forces).

Compensation may include:

a lump sum
regular payments

What you can claim for

You can claim compensation for any injury or illness that happened as a result of your service, including physical and mental conditions.

You can also claim:

if you were injured during a service-related activity, eg a training exercise
for conditions you had before service if you feel your service made them worse

If you’re a victim of crime while serving abroad

Find out if you qualify for the Criminal Injuries Compensation (Overseas) scheme if you were the victim of a violent crime while serving abroad.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Claim if you were injured while serving in the armed forces

Overview

What you can claim for

If you’re a victim of crime while serving abroad

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Claim if you were injured while serving in the armed forces

Overview

What you can claim for

If you’re a victim of crime while serving abroad

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Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK