Life after physical injury in the armed forces

Physical injury, whether through operations or training, cannot only end a person’s career but can also be life-changing and life-limiting. There are various ways in which an individual can be supported in order to make the most of the opportunities available to them. 

Compensation schemes 

• The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)  provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. 
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)  – Once you’ve had the result of your compensation claim, you might be able to claim AFIP if you’ve been seriously injured. 
• The Royal British Legion can provide grants to serving and ex-service people and their dependents who are suffering financially. These include  Veterans medical funds  and  mobility aids/equipment. 

Prosthetics 

Disablement Service centres  have been set up across England to provide specialist prosthetic and rehabilitation services. 

Disabled facilities grants 

Disabled facilities grants  are available via your local housing authorities to fund adaptations to a disabled person’s home which enables them to live independently and comfortably.   

Other sources of support 

• BLESMA  The Limbless Veterans is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. 
• Blind Veterans UK  provide vision-impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans with the person-centred services and tailored support they need to discover life beyond sight loss. 
• The RAF Benevolent Fund also has a  Housing Trust, which provides 230 specialist houses to seriously injured, wounded and sick service personnel who have a medical discharge, where alternative housing provision cannot be sourced. 
• Royal British Legion Industries  has a range of accommodation including Veterans housing. 
• Help for Heroes  Band of Brothers  network offers lifelong access to all the financial and welfare support from Help for Heroes as well as providing opportunities to meet others who are living through similar experiences. 
• Help for Heroes  Band of Sisters  is available to the loved ones of Veterans and Service Personnel who have suffered a permanently life-limiting or career-ending injury or illness during or attributable to service. 
• The Not Forgotten  is a small, unique and highly personalised tri-service charity whose role is to provide entertainment and recreation for the benefit of the serving wounded, injured or sick and for veterans who suffer from a disability or illness. 
• Cobseo Housing Cluster has developed a  Directory of Housing and Support Services for Veterans.  This lists supported accommodation, general needs housing, floating support and day centre provision for ex-service personnel. 
• Personalised care for Veterans: Patient information 2019. Personalised care for veterans is about making sure you get good person-centred care in your local area. This  patient information guide  will tell you more