The Veterans Agency

The Veterans Agency is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence, formed to deliver ‘modern, high-quality, customer-focused services to war disablement pensioners, war widow(er)s, their dependants and carers, and other veterans’.

There is nothing new in the payment of pensions and/or compensation for war service. King Alfred and Queen Elizabeth I both helped veterans. In 1590, a Naval charity – the Chatham Chest – was funded by 6d a month from the wages of every officer and rating to pay compensation for wounds and injuries, and pensions for permanent disablement. Some 250 years later, in the Crimean War, this became 8d a day for partial and 2 shillings a day for total disablement.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded by King Charles II for Army veterans who had become unfit for duty. Deductions from pay and pensions were its main source of income until 1847, when it became funded by parliament and from its own property and bequests. There are approximately 400 in-pensioners who are at least 65 years old (or younger if they cannot earn a living due to a disability caused by service).

The Royal Greenwich Hospital was founded by Queen Mary in 1694, with the first pensioners admitted in 1705. It also maintained out-pensioners, and provided pensions and allowances for the widows and orphans of seamen and marines.

First World War casualty levels highlighted the fact that war pension arrangements were inadequate, and the existing pension provisions were incorporated into one scheme administered by the Ministry of Pensions (later the Department of Social Security).

The Second World War saw the war pension scheme expand, with war pensions work relocated to Blackpool, where it still is today. More recent conflicts have continued to cause disablements that can result in the need for a war pension. Welfare managers now offer practical help with problems, and the War Pensions Agency was formed in 1994. In 2000 the War Pensions Helpline became a Freefone service, open to all UK residents.

The modern agency has about 1,000 civilian staff and ‘delivers welfare services in partnership with ex-Service and other voluntary organisations’. The cross-government Veterans’ Initiative was launched in March 2001 to address the needs of the veterans community. Its three main priorities are to:

- co-ordinate the response to issues that cut across departments, like homelessness or health

- ensure lessons learnt are absorbed into MoD planning to reduce later problems

- publicise and demonstrate the assistance available from central and local government.

People still serving in the Armed Forces cannot claim a war disablement pension. However, Service leavers may be eligible if they were injured or disabled through serving in the Armed Forces, including the Royal Irish Regiment. The claim process follows a number of stages:

- opening a file and obtaining service records

- examining the information and obtaining more medical evidence from doctors, hospitals, or via a hearing test or medical examination

- deciding if the claim should be allowed and the degree of service-related disablement, compared with an able-bodied person of the same age and sex

- writing to inform the claimant of the decision.

Medical discharge cases are dealt with as follows:

- the agency receives copies of Service medical documents, makes up a file, and sends a form requesting details to the individual’s doctor

- it examines the information to see if a decision can be made; additional evidence may require a doctor’s report or an examination at a convenient Service Medical Centre

- a medical adviser will make a decision, the agency writes to the individual and notifies the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency.

The 13 War Pension Committees throughout the UK, with separate committees in the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland, support the welfare of war pensioners and war widows, hear complaints and make recommendations to government and agencies. If someone disagrees with the decision made on their war pension claim, they may wish to make an appeal and have their case looked at by an independent panel: the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

Many Service organisations and charities provide free help to the war-disabled and their families. This can range from financial help to assisting with a war pension claim. They can also provide advice or representation at an appeal tribunal. Without such help, the official forms and procedures can appear difficult and daunting.

For help, advice or information contact the Veterans Agency by:

- calling Freefone on 0800 169 22 77 (lines are open 8.15am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.15am to 4.30pm Friday)

- calling from abroad on +44 1253 866043

- faxing on 01253 330561

- writing to the Veterans Agency, Norcross, Blackpool FY5 3WP

- e-mailing help@veteransagency.mod.uk

- contacting the War Pensioners’ Welfare Service (see the phone book, under ‘War Pensions Agency’ or ‘Veterans Agency’).