Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) in 2022: tariffs and eligibility

What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)? How can I apply for the AFCS? Am I eligible? You could be eligible for this benefit if you were injured because of your military service. Indeed, you would then be able to either get a lump sum, or a monthly Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP). This Your Benefits article will tell you all you need to know about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a benefit for those who were injured during service. More specifically, those who had an illness, injury or death caused by their service. Additionally, it must have happened on 6 April 2005 or later.

You may have had an injury caused by your service before 6 April 2005. In this case, you can apply for War Pension Scheme instead.

This benefit comes in two different forms. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is awarded as:

Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP). This is a tax-free payment that is also index-linked, and paid monthly;
A lump-sum payment for pain and suffering, which is also tax-free.

The eligibility for this benefit, as well as how much is awarded is determined by Parliament. Furthermore, this benefit is not the same as other accident compensation scheme, as they are separate. Indeed, this includes Life Insurance (LI) and Personal Accident (PAX). If you already receive one of these, they will not impact your Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) claim.

Lastly, you may think that your injury was a direct result of negligence on the part of the Department. If this is the case, you retain your right to make a civil claim, even if you receive the benefit.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) payments: how long does it take?

You may be serving when receiving payments for this benefit. In this case, you will receive payments in the accounts contained in the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system.

Disclaimer

However, you may no longer serving. Indeed, this could be the case at the time of receiving the decision on your claim, or when you submit it. In this case, payments will be put in your nominated bank account.

Furthermore, you may be able to receive a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP). Then, when you receive payments depends on when the claim was made. If you were still serving, you will be paid after your service ends. If you were no longer serving, you will be paid from the date on which you submitted your claim.

Your partner, you or a child younger than 18 years old dependent on you get this benefit, you will not be impacted by the benefit cap.

You may receive other means-tested benefits. If this is the case, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) payments could impact them.

If you want to know what you could be eligible for, Your Benefits can help. Indeed, we provide a free service that can show you how much aid you are entitled to. Indeed, the simulator shows you how many benefits you could receive based on your specific situation. And again, it’s free!

Furthermore, you may struggle in paying your bills. Then, Your Benefits can also help. Indeed, are advisors are available to help you save on your energy, phone, water bill… Simply ask to be called back to start saving today.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS): am I eligible?

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, regular service personnel, as well as reserve members who are in all 3 services. Additionally, you do not need to wait until you do not serve anymore in order to apply.

You need to have been injured, had an illness or experienced death during service, on 6 April 2005 or later. If such an accident happened at a later date, you would then need to apply for War Pension Scheme instead.

Disclaimer

You do not need to pay someone to represent you in order to get this benefit. Indeed, you do not need a solicitor. Furthermore, you do not need things such as a claims management company.

You do not need paid representation in order to apply. However, if you want to go with paid representation, the government cannot cover the costs that arise from this. Some paid representation is done on a ‘no-win no-fee’ principle. Then, a part of your payment will go towards covering the fee for such a service.

If you chose to go with paid representation, always make sure that you know exactly how much you will need to pay for the service.

How much can I get for Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) tariffs?

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) works on a tariff system. Indeed, you may receive the Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP). If this is the case, the amount you will receive depends. More specifically, it depends on the gravity of your injury or illness, as well as how old you are.

The same is true for the lump sum. How much you receive depends on how bad your health has been hurt by your condition.

You may receive a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) of 50% of the total value, or more. Then, you could be able to also receive an Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).

You could receive this benefit because your partner died because of their service. In this case, you could Survivor’s Guaranteed Income Payments (SGIP). Then, how much you receive will be based on how much your civil partner or spouse earned.

Note that, depending on when you were injured, you could instead receive the War Pension Scheme. Then, if you received the benefit in 2019-2020, you could have been eligible for the following:

War Pension Scheme amount for April 2019 and April 2020
War Pensions Scheme Benefits	April 2019 £ weekly	April 2020 £ weekly
Armed Forces Independence Payment	148.85	151.40
War Pensions
Disablement Pension (100% rates) officer (£ per year)	9,904.00	10,071.00
Other ranks	189.80	193.00

How can I claim Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?

Veterans UK is currently developing a way to claim this benefit, as well as the War Pension Scheme, online. This system is not yet done being developed. However, you can still benefit from it.

For this, simply send an email to DBSVets-Modernisation-ContactUs@mod.gov.uk. Indeed, include your email address, name, and phone number. Then, you will receive a link within 24 hours (excluding weekends) containing the link to access the online service. Furthermore, you will also receive instructions on how to complete your claim.

Disclaimer

The online claiming service is still being developed. As such, you may only access it by sending an email to the address above. If you experience any bugs, report them at the email above.

Typically, the way to claim this benefit right now is by post. Indeed, you must first download or print the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and WPS claim form. If you cannot do so, you may contact Veterans UK helpline to have a copy sent to you.

Instructions on how to complete the form will be presented on it. However, you may also need additional guidance. For this, view or download the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Claim Customer Journey.

What if I was medically discharged?

You may have been medically discharged from Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. In this case, all necessary documents may go through Veterans UK. Indeed, your eligibility could be determined automatically. Then, no input is necessary on your end.

If you were medically discharged, the only disease, injury or illness that counts will be the one counted as the main reason for your discharge.

Claims made for your main condition(s) will not automatically be reconsidered. Indeed, if you want Veterans UK to look over your case one for a time, you can ask for a review. However, you must do so once your service comes to an end.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS): is there a time limit?

There is a certain time limit when it comes to claiming this benefit. Indeed, the claim needs to be made no more than 7 years after the date of one of the following:

Your discharge;
First asking for medical advice concerning an illness (if the claim concerns an illness);
When your service made an already existing illness or injury worse;
When the illness or injury occurred.

You may be able to claim this benefit after the time limit. Indeed, this is likely the case if your injury or illness prevented you to apply. Indeed, then, the time limit could be lengthened for your own situation. If you want to know exactly how much time you have to apply, contact Veterans UK.

What if I served or am serving with the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF)?

You may be serving, or have served with the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). In this case, you must first contact the MOD A Disclosure Cell. Indeed, you may be asked to complete additional things.

For example, you may have served following 1996. In this case, you will need to comply with the UKSF Confidentiality Contract. Then, you will need to apply for Express Prior Authority in Writing (EPAW). Indeed, this is because you may need to disclose information about your service. To contact the Disclosure Cell, you may email them at MAB-J1-Disclosures-ISA-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Can I get Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) if my injury isn’t in a settled state?

Your injury or illness may not have come to the worst state it can be in. Indeed, it may instead get worst with time. However, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is meant to be a benefit that accounts for the final “worse” form of your condition.

Indeed, what does this mean if you apply when your condition is still getting worse? Then, you will likely be eligible for an interim award. More specifically, your payments will be proportional to the extent to which your condition affects you.

Later, when your condition gets worse, your case will then be reviewed. In most cases, your payments will either stay the same or increase. Very rarely do they ever decrease.

What if my condition gets worse?

It could be that your injury gets worse after a final decision was made on your claim. In such a case, you can ask Veterans UK to review your claim. Indeed, this is if there were developments in the evolution of your injury.

You may need additional help in order to know what you can do. Indeed, information on what steps to take could be specific to your condition. In this case, you can contact Veterans UK in order to know how to proceed.