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Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Compensation for serving and former service personnel injured or made ill by their service. Tiered tariff payments plus, in many cases, a Guaranteed Income Payment for life. The legacy War Pension Scheme covers injuries pre-2005; AFIP runs alongside as a PIP-equivalent.

Official linksLast verified 29 April 2026

Who it helps

Serving and former military personnel — Regular forces, Reserves, Cadets and Merchant Navy under Royal Navy command — whose disability or illness was caused or made worse by their service. Surviving spouses and partners may also qualify under WPS or AFCS bereavement provisions.

The full picture

Three connected schemes for service-related disability:

**Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)** — the modern scheme, covering injuries or illness caused or made worse by service on or after 6 April 2005. Payments are based on a 15-tier tariff: - Tier 1 (lowest): £1,236 lump sum - Tier 8 (mid-range): ~£40,000 lump sum + Guaranteed Income Payment - Tier 15 (highest): £653,300 lump sum + GIP for life - For mid-to-high tiers, a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) is also paid monthly for life — typically 30-100% of the salary the person would have earned if they'd stayed in service.

**War Pension Scheme (WPS)** — the legacy scheme, covering injuries or illness from service before 6 April 2005. Pays a weekly War Disablement Pension (similar to IIDB tariffs) plus War Widow's/Widower's Pension for surviving spouses. Still active for existing claims; new pre-2005 claims still accepted.

**Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)** — a PIP-equivalent for service personnel with a Guaranteed Income Payment of 50%+ from AFCS. Worth £198.85/week. Auto-passports to Blue Badge, Motability and other disability concessions without further assessment.

These schemes coexist with civilian benefits: you can receive AFCS / WPS / AFIP alongside PIP, AA, IIDB or Universal Credit. AFIP is preferable to PIP for those eligible because it doesn't require the points-based assessment.

Veterans UK (Defence Business Services) administers all three. There's no time limit to apply, but earlier is better for evidence.

Worth knowing before you apply

  • Three schemes: AFCS (post-2005), WPS (pre-2005), AFIP (PIP-equivalent for AFCS recipients with high GIP)
  • AFCS payments range from £1,236 (Tier 1) to £653,300 (Tier 15) plus a Guaranteed Income Payment for life on most tiers
  • AFIP auto-passports to Blue Badge, Motability and Carer's Allowance — no separate eligibility check
  • You can claim AFCS / WPS / AFIP alongside civilian benefits like PIP, AA, IIDB and Universal Credit
  • No time limit to apply, but service medical records are key evidence — apply when you can
  • Surviving spouses / partners may qualify for War Widow's Pension (WPS) or AFCS bereavement payments
  • Veterans UK (Defence Business Services) administers all three schemes — Glasgow-based
  • Help available from the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Combat Stress with completing forms

How to claim

Apply via Veterans UK on gov.uk/armed-forces-compensation-scheme (AFCS) or gov.uk/war-pension-scheme (WPS legacy). The forms are detailed and include a request for service medical records. Decisions usually take 6–9 months because of the medical-records check; complex cases longer. There's no time limit to apply, but earlier is better for evidence.

Apply for AFCS (GOV.UK)

Independent advice

More help is out there

If your situation is complex, these UK-wide charities and government services can give free, independent advice.

Last verified 29 April 2026
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