103/2012 - Supporting those injured as a result of service to the nation
Today the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are announcing a simplification and streamlining of the financial support system for members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured.
Rather than face separate assessments, personnel who have been seriously injured as a result of military service will receive ongoing payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries.
This is the latest measure to be announced following the Government’s commitment, given last year, to upholding the Armed Forces Covenant and the measure is consistent with the principles of the Covenant.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:
I am delighted that in addition to tax-free payments from the MOD’s Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, seriously injured serving personnel and veterans will also be able to avoid the unnecessary duplication of reassessments and receive disability benefits via these new arrangements. These brave individuals have served their country with honour and it is only right and proper that they receive financial support to help them with injuries caused by their service.
Recognising the considerable sacrifice made by a number of courageous members of the Armed Forces who have been injured as a result of their service, the Government has decided to put in place special arrangements for these personnel to help them cover the ongoing costs of their injury.
Rather than face separate assessments these individuals will automatically be entitled to payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries. Eligibility for these payments will be linked to their Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award and the payments will provide financial reassurance for the future.
Those currently in receipt of an AFCS award for serious injury and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will also benefit from the arrangements.
Notes to editors
MOD and DWP have worked together to ensure that those who receive an award for a serious injury from the AFCS will continue to receive at least the amount they are currently receiving under DLA. In addition, those with future compensation awards will also receive the new payments.
The Armed Forces Covenant sets out two key principles – that members of the Armed Forces Community should face no disadvantage compared with other citizens and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially those who have given most such as the injured and bereaved.
For further information please contact: Robert Mead, MOD press office, on 020 7218 7909. John Stevenson, DWP press office on 020 3267 5126.