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↓ Try the Checker NowThe Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) pays a tax-free lump sum and, for some injuries, a Guaranteed Income Payment for injury or illness caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. A claim must normally be made within 7 years of the earliest of the incident, the date service made the condition worse, the date you first sought medical advice for an illness, or your discharge date. The War Pension Scheme covers injury or illness caused by service before 6 April 2005, for people who are no longer serving, with no time limit.
If you disagree with a decision, ask Veterans UK to look at it again (for the AFCS, a reconsideration within 12 months), then appeal to an independent tribunal within 12 months of the decision letter. For service complaints, the Armed Forces Commissioner (which has replaced the Service Complaints Ombudsman) can review some decisions and investigate delay and how a complaint was handled.
Key areas covered: the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the War Pension Scheme: which applies, time limits, claims, reconsideration and appeals. Checked against GOV.UK on 25 September 2026. Housing, health and other veterans support are not covered here: ask Veterans UK or Citizens Advice.
GOV.UK says to send copies of any supporting documents you have, such as reports from your Medical Officer, copies of orders, and accident or incident reports, as soon as possible: this may help your claim be dealt with more quickly. Veterans UK may also ask for a report from your GP or your hospital records, or arrange a medical examination.
The Armed Forces Commissioner (which has replaced the Service Complaints Ombudsman) provides independent oversight of Service Complaints, while AFCS decisions have their own separate reconsideration and appeal process — understanding which route applies to your specific situation avoids wasted time pursuing the wrong one.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. Official information: GOV.UK: Veterans UK. For free help, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604), or speak to a solicitor.
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Tip: Focus on one issue at a time for the clearest answer. If you have multiple issues, run them separately for a full picture on each one.
Include when you served and when you left, the injury or illness, and when it started or was diagnosed.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
Am I entitled to redundancy pay?
Employees with at least 2 years of continuous employment are entitled to statutory redundancy pay. The amount depends on age, length of service and weekly pay. For redundancies from 6 April 2026, a week of pay is capped at £751 in England, Wales and Scotland (maximum £22,530) and at £783 in Northern Ireland (maximum £23,490).
What is unfair dismissal?
Unfair dismissal is when an employer dismisses an employee without a fair reason or without acting fairly in how they do it. In England, Wales and Scotland you currently need at least 2 years of continuous employment to claim ordinary unfair dismissal, or at least 6 months where the employment ends on or after 1 January 2027. In Northern Ireland you need at least 1 year.
When is statutory sick pay paid?
From 6 April 2026, statutory sick pay (SSP) is paid from the first full day of sickness absence, in Northern Ireland as well as in England, Wales and Scotland. It is £123.25 a week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings (normal weekly earnings in Northern Ireland) if that is lower. In England, Wales and Scotland it is paid for up to 28 weeks.
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The checker answers only from this guide (one guide for the whole UK; lines that differ by nation are marked), plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 25 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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