You can also claim for conditions you had before service if you feel your service made them worse.
Quick facts
- Lump sum, service after 5 April 2005
- £1,236 to £650,000
- Tax
- Tax-free
- Serious cases
- Guaranteed Income Payment
- Claim within
- 7 years, usually
- Service before 6 April 2005
- War Pension Scheme
Service after 5 April 2005
Claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
If your claim is successful, you’ll get a tax-free lump sum payment between £1,236 and £650,000. The amount you get will depend on how severe your injury is.
You may also receive a tax-free monthly payment for life when you’re discharged - sometimes known as a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP).
If your GIP payment level is 50% of your salary or more, you can also claim an Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
Who can claim
To qualify you must be a current or former member of the armed forces, applying no later than 7 years after the injury or illness, unless you’re claiming for an illness that started later (sometimes known as a ‘late onset illness’).
Service before 6 April 2005
Claim under the War Pension Scheme (WPS).
If your claim is successful, you’ll be awarded a pension if your disability is assessed at 20% or more, or a lump sum if your disability is assessed at less than 20%.
Related
If your partner died because of service, see War Widow’s Pension. War pensions also exempt you from the benefit cap.
Common questions
How much is Armed Forces Compensation?
A tax-free lump sum between £1,236 and £650,000 for service after 5 April 2005, depending on how severe the injury is.
Can I claim for a mental health condition?
Yes. You can claim for physical and mental conditions caused by service.
Is there a time limit?
Usually 7 years after the injury or illness, unless it is a late onset illness.
What about service before 2005?
Claim under the War Pension Scheme.