1 Introduction

2. What financial help can I get?

There are several schemes offering financial help to servicemen and women. Some are pension schemes, and some are compensation schemes that apply if you were injured or if you were a dependant of a serviceman or woman who died in service. The scheme or schemes you may be able to use depend on:

• your type of service;
• when you served; and
• the type of help you need.

Below is a brief explanation of each of the schemes. The Ministry of Defence publishes a booklet for each scheme, with full details of how the scheme works and who is eligible for it.

See the PDF version of this leaflet for a table showing who each scheme is for, and the title of the booklet that explains it. You can get the booklets through the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. They are also available online.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) and Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 (AFPS 75)
The AFPS is an occupational (work-related) pension scheme. All servicemen and women who joined the Services between 1975 and 6 April 2005 were automatically members unless they chose not to be. The scheme was first called AFPS, but later called AFPS 75 to differentiate it from the pension scheme that replaced it in 2005, called AFPS 05.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme 05 (AFPS 05)
The AFPS 05 is an occupational pension scheme that first became available to members of the Regular Armed Forces on 6 April 2005. Servicemen and women who belonged to the previous scheme, AFPS 75, were able to transfer to AFPS 05 if they were eligible to do so.

Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 05 (RFPS)
The RFPS is an occupational pension scheme. Servicemen and women who have started or restarted Full Time Reserve Service (including Additional Duties Commitment) since 6 April 2005 are automatically members of the RFPS. Other Reserve Forces personnel may be able to choose to join the scheme, depending on their circumstances.

Armed Forces Attributable Benefits (AFAB)
AFAB is a new compensation scheme, due to be introduced in 2007, for service people who were injured or made ill because of their service before 6 April 2005. People who are or were dependants of service people may also be able to claim AFAB if the service person died because of their service before that date. It replaces the AFPS 75 Scheme.

Reserve Forces (Attributable Benefits etc) Regulations (RFAB)
The RFAB provides compensation for Reservists who have been injured or made ill because of their service before 6 April 2005. People who were dependants of service people may also be able to claim RFAB if the service person died because of their service before that date.

War Pension Scheme (WPS)
The War Pension Scheme is for ex-servicemen and women who were injured or made ill because of their service before 6 April 2005. People who were dependants of service people may also be able to claim WPS if the service person died because of their service before that date. WPS benefits can be paid on top of an AFPS 75 or AFPS 05 pension.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is for servicemen and women who have been injured or made ill because of their service since 6 April 2005 (whether or not they are still serving). People who were dependants of service personnel may also be able to claim if the service person died because of their service since 6 April 2005. AFCS can be paid on top of an AFPS 75, AFPS 05 or RFPS pension.

3. Does my war pension affect my welfare benefits?

4. What happens if I go into hospital or need extra care?

5. What if I need help finding somewhere to live?

6. What help can I get to find work when I leave the forces?

7. Where can veterans with special needs get help?

8. How can I claim my medals from my time in service?

9. How can I get hold of my service record?

10. Passports for veterans

11. Further Help

12. About this leaflet

This leaflet is published by the Gurkha Free Legal Advice (LSC) and the Ministry of Defence. It was written in association with Citizens Advice.

The leaflets are regularly updated but the law may have changed since they were printed so the information in them may be incorrect or out of date.

Leaflet Version: October 2007

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