AFCS Claim Supporting Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to supporting statement for an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claim, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong afcs claim supporting letter should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Confirm the claimant's service details
• Describe the injury or condition and how it was caused by service
• Describe the impact on daily life and work
• Confirm dates and circumstances
• Offer to provide further evidence

What the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme covers

The AFCS provides compensation for injury, illness, or death caused by service — this includes physical injuries, but also mental health conditions like PTSD where a clear service connection can be demonstrated. A supporting statement can significantly strengthen a claim by providing first-hand evidence of the incident or the ongoing impact of the condition.

What to include before you send it

• Your relationship to the claimant and how you're able to speak to the circumstances
• A clear, factual account of the incident or how the condition has developed, avoiding speculation about medical causation you're not qualified to assess
• Specific examples of how the injury or condition has affected daily life, work, or service
• Your contact details in case the assessing body needs to follow up

What makes a supporting statement effective

Specific, dated, factual detail carries far more weight than general statements of support. "I witnessed the incident on [date] and saw X happen" is much stronger evidence than "I know this affected them badly." If you weren't present for the original incident but have observed its ongoing impact, focus on what you've directly witnessed since.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an AFCS claim take to process?
Timescales vary considerably depending on the complexity of the claim and whether further medical evidence is needed, so it's worth checking current expected timescales directly with Veterans UK when the claim is submitted.

Can more than one person submit a supporting statement?
Yes — multiple statements from different people who can speak to different aspects of the incident or its impact can strengthen a claim, provided each one adds genuinely new, relevant detail.

[Your Name / Organisation]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Veterans UK
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
[Address - check the current address on GOV.UK]
[Date]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Subject: Supporting statement – AFCS claim for [Claimant's Full Name] – [Service Number / Claim Reference]

I am writing to support [Claimant's Full Name]'s claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. I know them as [relationship or role, e.g. their former commanding officer / their physiotherapist / their spouse].

[Claimant's Name] served in the [e.g. British Army, 1st Battalion The Rifles] from [Date] to [Date]. Their [injury or condition, e.g. knee ligament damage / PTSD] was caused [or made worse] by their service:
• [e.g. The injury happened during a training exercise on [date] at [place]. I was there and saw it.]
• [e.g. They were exposed to traumatic events during their deployment to [place] in [year].]

The impact on their daily life and work:
• [e.g. They can no longer walk more than a short distance or carry heavy items.]
• [e.g. They have had to give up [job / activity] and have trouble sleeping.]

I am happy to provide further evidence or answer questions if that would help.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Job Title / Former Rank]