Using an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as a service leaver

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What the card can do for you

It’s the quickest and easiest way to prove your veteran status.

The card is a recognition of your service, and owning one can help you maintain a link with your service identity.

It will help you access the many services, concessions and offers that organisations make available to veterans.

If you’ve left service since 2019, you should have received an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card when leaving.

If you left service before 2019, you can apply for one online.

You can use the card to need to verify your veteran status, such as when you:

get a Veterans’ Railcard, entitling you up to a third off most rail travel in England, Scotland and Wales
get a Defence Discount Service Card, to claim discounts in over 12,000 restaurants and shops, on the high street and online
access specific offers during special events, such as free travel on public transport to and from remembrance events on the weekend of Remembrance Sunday

There are a number of military and government initiatives available to veterans where your Veteran Card may be useful.

These include:

employment initiatives, such as Great Place to Work, Going Forward into Employment, Advance into Justice and Step into Health
National Insurance relief for your employer in your first civilian role after service (for up to 12 months)
housing support and guidance from the Op FORTITUDE team
exemption from a local connection test when applying for social housing
support and services from criminal justice agencies, such as the Police, Probation Service and the Prison Service (as part of Op NOVA)