Useful contacts for veterans

Useful contacts and information for veterans and their families.

Guide contents

General information for veterans

Services for Injured Veterans

BLESMA 

BLESMA supports all limbless ex-service men and women, their widows, and dependents. They provide support on grants for mobility, rehabilitation and adaptations, and advice on compensation schemes, nursing, residential, and respite care.

Blind Veterans UK

Blind Veterans UK believes that no-one who has served our country should have to battle blindness alone. It provides blind and vision impaired ex-service men and women with lifelong support including welfare support, rehabilitation, training, residential, and respite care.

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)

Defence Medical Welfare Service delivers an independent and impartial 24 hour specialist welfare service to members of the British Armed Forces who are receiving hospital care, their dependant relatives, and entitled civilians. Their aim is to contribute to the consistency of the recovery and rehabilitation pathway for service personnel.

Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes works with those who have injuries and illnesses attributable to their service in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, Help for Heroes believes that those prepared to put their lives second, deserve a second chance at life.

RNID (help with hearing loss or tinnitus)

If you've served in the Armed Forces and need support to manage hearing loss and tinnitus, the RNID can help. They are also here to support groups working with veterans.

SSAFA

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.

Step Together

Step Together Volunteering has been supporting members of the Armed Forces Community for over 10 years, working closely with key stakeholders within the Armed Forces as well as other charities and services that support members of the Armed Forces Community.

Compensation for veterans

Veterans UK

Veterans UK administers the Armed Forces pension schemes and compensation payments for those injured or bereaved through service. Veterans UK is part of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces compensation (GOV.UK)

Information and reports on all MOD compensation schemes including the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and other service benefits.

Website: Armed Forces compensation (GOV.UK) website

Miscellaneous 

RAF Benevolent Fund

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides practical, financial, and personal lifetime support to all members of the RAF family, whether serving or veterans, and their families.

Royal Navy and Marines Charity

The Royal Navy and Marines Charity funds projects and facilities that boost morale for both veterans and those who serve today, including: caring for ex-service men and women in old age, those in crisis or in need (mental health issues, substance abuse, injury, and homelessness), and transitioning to civilian life and employment.

Army Benevolent Fund

The Army Benevolent Fund provides grants for soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, when they are in need.

Forces Compare

Forces Compare lets you find and compare the best military insurance deals. It's an independent search engine which specialises in comparing quotes for insurance to meet your requirements, from a select group of highly reputable insurance specialists.

Forces Employment Charity - Project Nova

The Forces Employment Charity is proud to provide life-changing support for veterans in the justice system.  The shift into non-military life can bring challenges that can lead to veterans feeling detached and in between military and civilian worlds.

Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO)

COBSEO represents the whole serving and veterans community. Membership is open to charities who promote and further the welfare and general interests of the Armed Forces community.

The Forces in Mind Trust

Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) awards grants and commissions research, coordinates the efforts of others, and supports projects that deliver long-term solutions to the challenges faced by the Armed Forces community.

Apply for a veterans' badge or a medal

Anyone who has served in any of the UK Armed Forces can apply for a veterans' badge. There is no fee.

Veterans ID cards

A new ID card for Armed Forces veterans, which will help them access specialist support and services, has started to be issued to service leavers.

Website: Veterans ID cards website

Defence Discount Service 

The Defence Discount Service is the official MoD discount service for the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community – providing discounts both online and on the high street for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community.

Veterans Railcard

The Veterans Railcard was launched at the end of 2020 for British military veterans*. It costs £30, and can be used at any time – peak or off-peak – although during peak times a minimum fare of £12 applies. The Railcard will provide you and your companion 1/3 off most rail fares and 60% off for up to four children aged 5-15 years.

 

*UK Veterans refers to those who served at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces; or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.