Support for veterans and service families
Veterans and service families can find health, welfare and financial support through NHS veteran services, Veterans UK and charities.
How this guide was prepared
Purpose: how to guidance · Level: detailed
Checked by: Does Your Duck Quack. Sources are linked below; seek professional advice for individual circumstances.
The short answer
What to do first
Veterans and service families can find health, welfare and financial support through NHS veteran services, Veterans UK and charities.
Start here: Ask the GP practice to record that the person is a veteran, if they are comfortable with this. It can help clinicians consider service-related injuries, hearing problems, trauma or other health needs.
Visual guides
See the decision at a glance
- 1. Tell the GPAsk for military service to be recorded if the person is comfortable.
- 2. Ask about NHS supportExplain whether the need is related to mental or physical health.
- 3. Check compensationAsk Veterans UK which scheme may apply to service-related injury or illness.
- 4. Include familyAsk about housing, care, bereavement and welfare support for relatives.
- Health careTell the GP about service history and ask about the nation’s NHS route.
- Pension or compensationVeterans UK administers the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation schemes.
- Housing and careAsk the council or a veterans’ charity about practical support.
- Family welfareAsk whether a partner, widow or carer can receive support in their own right.
Scope of this guide
This guide helps you understand the options and questions to ask. It is not personal medical, legal or financial advice. Check the official sources for your nation and seek qualified help for high-stakes decisions.
Who this guide is for
Older veterans, reservists and service families who want to understand health, compensation, housing and community support after military service.
Support for veterans is spread across ordinary local services, specialist NHS teams, government schemes and charities. A person does not need to know which route is right before asking for help. Tell the GP practice that the person served, describe the current need and ask for a referral or link to the relevant veterans’ service.
Practical steps
1. Tell health services about military service
Ask the GP practice to record that the person is a veteran, if they are comfortable with this. It can help clinicians consider service-related injuries, hearing problems, trauma or other health needs.
2. Find the NHS service for your nation
In England, Op COURAGE supports veterans with mental health needs and Op RESTORE focuses on physical health problems related to service. Wales has Veterans’ NHS Wales. Scotland provides information and specialist support through NHS Scotland, including Veterans First Point in some areas.
3. Check compensation and pension options
Veterans UK administers the War Pension Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. These relate to injury, illness or death connected with service, and eligibility depends on the circumstances and scheme rules.
4. Ask about housing, care and practical support
A local council, housing adviser or veterans’ charity can discuss adaptations, homelessness risk, benefits and care needs. The Armed Forces Covenant is a public commitment to fair treatment and support for the armed forces community; it does not guarantee a particular benefit or outcome.
5. Include partners, widows and family members
Service families may have their own health, bereavement or financial needs. Ask about support for a partner or family member rather than assuming all services are only for the veteran. The Royal British Legion and SSAFA can provide welfare guidance, while local carers’ services may help a family member who provides regular support.
Questions and checks
- Nation-specific health route used
- Service documents available
- Benefits checked
- Urgent mental-health route known
- Charity credentials verified
- Family and carer needs included
- Veteran status recorded with consent at the GP practice
- Current health concern and preferred support written down
- Nation-specific NHS veterans service identified
- Veterans UK scheme or claim route discussed if relevant
- Housing, care and benefits needs included in assessment
- Family or carer support offered with the veteran’s agreement
- Service and medical papers stored together
Common questions
What NHS help is available to veterans?
Veterans can use ordinary NHS services and may also be eligible for specialist support. The service depends on where they live and what they need: England has Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE; Wales has Veterans’ NHS Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own support routes.
Can a veteran claim compensation for a service-related condition?
The War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme may be relevant where an injury, illness or death was caused or worsened by service. The rules depend on when and how the condition arose. Veterans UK can explain the claim route, and a welfare adviser can help gather records.
What does the Armed Forces Covenant provide?
The Covenant is a commitment to recognise service and support fair access to public and community services. It is not itself a cash benefit or a promise that every request will be granted. If a veteran faces a disadvantage linked to service, explain the circumstances to the relevant council, health service or adviser and ask how Covenant principles apply locally.
Can a spouse or family member get support too?
Yes. Some NHS veteran services work with families, and charities can advise partners, widows, carers and dependants on welfare or bereavement needs. The exact offer varies by service and nation. Ask directly for family support and share information only with the veteran’s consent, unless there is a safeguarding or emergency reason to act.
Before you act
Write down the outcome you want, the names and dates involved, and the evidence or documents you already have. Ask for important decisions, costs and next steps in writing. If information is unclear, ask which nation’s rules are being used and when the decision will be reviewed.
If there is a delay or disagreement
Keep a short factual record of calls, letters and missed actions. Ask for the responsible person, the written reasons, the complaints or review route and any deadline. Immediate health or safety risks should be escalated separately rather than waiting for a routine complaint.
Differences across the UK
Health pathways and local support differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. NHS veteran services differ across the four nations. England uses Op COURAGE for mental health and Op RESTORE for physical health linked to service. Wales has Veterans’ NHS Wales. Scotland’s NHS inform describes veterans’ health rights and routes, including local Veterans First Point services. Northern Ireland has the Veterans’ Support Office and separate HSC arrangements. Veterans UK compensation and pension schemes operate UK-wide; local housing, social care and welfare support is delivered by devolved and local services.
Primary sources
The publisher checked this guide against the 10 official sources below. This is an editorial source check, not approval by a clinician, lawyer or benefits adviser.
- GOV.UK: Support for veterans and their families
- NHS: Healthcare for the Armed Forces community
- NHS: Support for veterans, service leavers and reservists
- NHS: Veterans’ mental health support and Op COURAGE
- GOV.UK: Apply for Armed Forces Compensation or a War Pension
- GOV.UK: The Armed Forces Covenant
- NHS inform: Health rights for veterans in Scotland
- GOV.UK: Find organisations that support veterans and families
- Royal British Legion: Get support
- SSAFA: Get support
Related guides
- Pension Credit: why it is worth checking
- Low mood in later life: when to seek help
- Attendance Allowance explained
Editorial note: By Does Your Duck Quack.