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.
Going it alone - things to consider:
- You don’t need our help if you understand the AFCS/WPS regulations and have certain skills! But you only get one chance with your initial AFCS application. Get this wrong and you’ll be battered by the appeals process and strangled by the endless red tape!
- You must complete the online 20-page application accurately! Get this wrong and your application will go nowhere at the speed of light.
- There are time limits for each stage of the application process. If you’re one day over, your claim will be struck out!
- It is up to you to prove your case and not for Veterans UK to do the work for you.
- Your memory might be hazy but your medical records are not. Make sure you understand the implications of pre-existing injuries.
- If you’re injured playing sports, it’s up to you to produce the evidence you were authorised to take part.
- If you were injured whilst on exercise, and your injury was not properly recorded, it’s game over. No evidence = no claim.
- 46% of applications are declined in the first attempt. Most failures are down to a lack of preparation and planning.
- 14% of applications are declined because Veterans UK do no think that your injuries are serious enough! If you don’t argue your case well enough it will be declined.
- 30% of applications are declined because Veterans UK do not consider your injuries to be caused by military service.
You wouldn’t expect a civilian to know how to strip and re-assemble an SA80 and we wouldn’t expect you to understand the vast array of AFCS regulations. So the bottom line is, we're here if you need us.