Disabled in the Armed Forces. Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

Advice on Disability and Health Issues from Armed Forces Service.

You may be able to claim a War Disablement Pension if you have been disabled through injury or mental trauma due to service in the armed forces or you are a civilian or merchant seaman disabled due to war-time injuries.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) has been formed through a merger of the Veterans Agency (VA)
and Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA). The new Agency will provide for the first time, a range of 'through life' support functions direct to around 900,000 serving and ex-Service personnel.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Tomlinson House, Norcross
Thornton-Cleveleys
FY5 3WP
Telephone:

On Monday 2 April 2007, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) officially launched the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, aimed at improving personnel, pensions, welfare and support services to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

The (MOD) places great store on the provision of high quality support services to serving military personnel, ex-Servicemen and women and their respective dependents.

There are clear customer and business benefits in merging the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) with the Veterans Agency to form the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA).

The formation of SPVA will gradually lead to the provision of a fully integrated set of ‘through life’ personnel services to our serving and veterans community - where a single contact with the Agency will grant access to customer information and advice on pay, pensions, compensation payments, records of service and medal entitlement.

Our customers will have the reassurance and comfort of dealing with just one MOD organisation, from the moment they join the Armed Forces, to the point at which they no longer draw their pension.

SPVA will be staffed by caring and experienced people, who make it their business to understand and empathise with the serving and veterans’ community and are committed to delivering a high quality service.

The responsibility for all pension provision, whether a War pension or an Armed Forces pension will now fall under the direct control of SPVA, reducing the risk of omitting or duplicating information and providing for the first time, a truly joined up pension service.

Welfare Services

The main role of the War Pensioners' Welfare Service (WPWS) is to give advice, guidance and practical help to War Disablement Pensioners and War Widows/Widowers.

War Disablement Pensioners and War Widows/Widowers are entitled to help if currently in receipt of a regular War Pension and even if a gratuity payment has been paid previously for any accepted disablement. The welfare service also provides help to people who are in the process of claiming under the War Pensions Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
The welfare service will try to help with any kind of problem veterans may have. It does not have to be directly related to disablement or Service in HM Armed Forces.

Regional Welfare Managers throughout the United Kingdom are responsible for ensuring that welfare managers provide the services as required. Each regional office is also supported by administrative staff and a network of volunteer visitors.

The welfare service works closely with all the main ex-Service organisations and by doing this, ensures veterans and their dependants can access a wide range of advice and help.

There are 25 War Pensioners' Welfare Offices located throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. To search for your local office, please click here or alternatively contact the Free Veterans Helpline. ___________________________________________________

NHS treatment
If you need an examination or treatment relating to the condition for which you receive a war pension, you are entitled to be given priority for NHS services, subject only to the needs of emergency and other urgent cases. Make sure your GP or any hospital specialist you see is aware that you are a war pensioner.

Should you experience any difficulty arranging treatment, tell the War Pensions treatment Section . In certain circumstances, your doctor may be able to arrange for you to be admitted to a Ministry of Defence services hospital for the treatment of the disability for which you receive your war pension. If so, you will be eligible for help with travelling costs. Again, tell the people at the War Pensions Treatment Section. Contact details as above.

Equipment for mobility If you need equipment as a result of the disability for which you receive a war pension, you will be able to get advice from the War Pensioners’ Welfare Service.Equipment such as wheelchairs, artificial limbs, or home nursing equipment can be obtained from the NHS. Other aids may be available from the social services (see also EQUIPMENT).Contact your War Pensioners’ Welfare Service Officer whose number is in the phone book or the local health authority covering your area or your social services department.

Voluntary organisationsThere are many service organisations which help war disabled people and their families. They can give you support and advice on War Pensions and Allowances BLESMA ( British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association) assists men and women who have lost their limbs through service in the armed forces or as a result of it. BLESMA provides permanent residential accommodation, gives advice on pensions and allowances, provides financial assistance to members and widows, runs a welfare visiting service, plans and organises rehabilitation programmes for amputees an helps in finding suitable employment. Tel: 0208 590 1124. Link to BLESMA website The Burma Star Association provides a welfare service and gives free and confidential advice to all holders of the Burma Star. Tel: 0207 823 4273. Link to BSA website Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society - Combat Stress cares for ex-members of the armed forces and the Merchant Navy who have psychiatric disabilities. The Society funds two treatment centres, cottages for married men and their families, a single men’s hostel and a veterans home. They also give help and advice to members. Link to Combat Stress

The Far East Prisoners of War and Internees Fund helps Far East prisoners of war and civilian internees of the Japanese 1941- 45 war and their dependents who are in need.
Tel: 01622 737124

The Joint Committee of the Order of St John and the British Red Cross society provides grants to ex-servicemen, ex-officers and their widows. It has long-standing connections with three paraplegic settlements. Tel: 020 7201 5131

National Federation of Far East Prisoner of War Clubs and Associations gives advice to ex-Far East prisoners of war and their widows, especially on pension matters.

The “Not Forgotten” Association provides holidays, television sets, licences, outings, excursions and entertainment for disabled ex-service people. Tel: 020 7730 2400. Link to Website

The Royal Air Forces Association gives advice and financial assistance to serving or ex-serving RAF personnel and their dependents through a network of branches. Each branch has an honorary welfare officer who will assess requests for help and complete the appropriate forms for assistance. The Association also runs a nursing home and three convalescent home together with supportive and sheltered housing schemes.
Tel: 020 8994 8504. Link to Website

The Royal Alfred Seafarer’s Society provides accommodation for ex-members of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy at three separate establishments in Surrey and Sussex, offering, respectively, sheltered housing, residential and nursing care. Tel: 020 8401 2889 The Royal British Legion and Officers’ Association exists to relieve distress and to give help and advice to those who have served in the Merchant Navy, Allied Civil Police Force, Home Guard and Voluntary Aid societies, their widows and dependents They also run residential and convalescent homes, support holidays for the severely disabled, and help with domestic security. Tel: 0207 973 7200. Link to Website The Royal British Legion Scotland, The Earl Haig Fund Scotland and the Officers’ Association Scotland Branch help all ex– service people, their widows and their dependents, giving welfare and pensions advice and friendship. Tel: 0131 557 2782 The Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation gives financial aid to widows, orphans and dependents of servicemen and women. Tel: 0207 233 1894 St Dunstan’s: Established in 1915, St Dunstan's provide essential training and rehabilitation for ex-Service men and women who are now blinded due to war, age, accident or illness.
Tel: 020 7616 7958
Fax: 020 7262 6199
Link to St Dunstan's Website

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help) offers welfare help, advice and support to serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces, including partners, widows/widowers and dependent children. They also help obtain equipment and aids and provide specially designed permanent and holiday accommodation for disabled people, and residential care homes. Local branches nationwide and in Eire can raise grant aid through service charities and other sources. Contact local Branch (see local phone book) or the Welfare Department at Central Office.

Forces Reunited have joined with ComradesandColleagues.com:
The largest dedicated database of Forces and Ex-Forces Personnel on the web, also run by Ex-Forces Personnel
http://www.forcesfriendsreunited.com/
Ships Company:
Dedicated to reuniting Royal Navy and Royal Marines past and present.
http://www.shipscompany.co.uk
MoD reunited:
"Lost contact? Ever wondered what your old colleagues are up to? The safe, secure and completely free way to get back in touch"
http://www.modreunited.com
OldOppos:
Provides a link of friendship between the serving and the retired, the young and old.
http://www.oldoppos.co.uk

See ‘Addresses’ or their Website for full addresses of organisations mentioned in this section