War Pension Scheme (WPS)
The War Pension Scheme (WPS) was introduced to compensate for any injury, illness or death which occurred before 6 April 2005. After this date, Claimants should make an application under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
You can claim a military pension under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) if you are no longer serving in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces and your claimed disablement arose before 6 April 2005 or you were injured or disabled through serving in HM Armed Forces, including The Ulster Defence Regiment, now known as the Royal Irish Regiment, the Home Guard and nursing and auxiliary services:
- Were a civil defence volunteer (CDV) disabled through serving as a CDV in World War 2.
- Are a civilian disabled as a result of enemy action in World War 2.
- Are a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services or a coastguard, and you were disabled because of an injury you received or a disease suffered because of conditions during a war or because you were a prisoner of war during a period when the Mercantile Marine Scheme was activated.
- Are a member of the Polish Forces under British Command who served in the 1939 to 1945 war, or in the Polish Resettlement Forces and you were injured or disabled through this service
The process of making an application for an armed forces pension through the War Pension Scheme is the same as the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) by using the AFCSWPS001 but accuracy in completing that application is also crucial.