Claiming compensation for illness or injury caused or made worse by armed forces service
If you’re living with an illness or injury due to armed forces service, you may be entitled to claim financial compensation and long‑term support.
Here’s a guide to what you can claim, which scheme you fall under and what kind of support you may be entitled to.
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Have and illness or injury due to service? Here’s how to claim the compensation you deserve
If you’ve served in the armed forces, you’ve already given more than most ever will. But if your service left you with an injury or illness, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. You may be able to claim compensation to help you rebuild, recover and move forward.
What you can claim
You can claim compensation for any injury or illness caused or made worse by armed forces service. This includes both physical and mental health conditions, because invisible injuries matter just as much as visible ones.
You can also claim if:
- you had a pre-existing condition that worsened due to service
- you were injured during a service-related activity, such as a training exercise
Which scheme applies to you?
It depends on when your injury or illness happened.
If your injury happened after 5 April 2005
You’ll claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
To qualify, you must be:
- applying within 7 years of the injury or illness (unless it developed later, known as a late-onset illness)
- a current or former member of the UK armed forces
If your injury happened before 6 April 2005
You’ll claim under the War Pension Scheme (WPS).
There’s no time limit for WPS claims, but you must have already left service.
How much compensation could you receive?
What you get depends on your injury, when it happened and sometimes whether you’re receiving other compensation.
If your injury happened after 5 April 2005
A successful Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claim can include:
A tax-free lump sum
Amounts range from £1,236 up to £650,000, depending on the severity of your injury.
Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP)
For more serious conditions, you may get a tax-free monthly payment for life after discharge.
Your GIP is based on:
- your salary
- your age
- how severe your injury is
If your GIP is 50% or more of your salary, you may also qualify for the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
If your injury happened before 6 April 2005
Under the War Pension Scheme, if your claim is successful, you’ll receive either:
- a pension (for disabilities assessed at 20% or more), or
- a lump sum (for disabilities assessed below 20%)
You may also qualify for extra allowances, including support if you’re struggling with mobility or employment.
Need support right away?
If you were seriously injured after 8 May 2011, you may be able to claim a £60,000 fast payment while your full claim is processed.
How to make a claim
You can start your claim online:
Need a form sending by post?
Call 0808 1914 218 and we’ll send you a form with a pre-paid envelope to return it in.