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Who is eligible?

You may be able to get War Disablement Pension if you were injured or disabled through serving in HM Armed Forces, including the:

or

you can claim if you were injured or disabled while serving as a civil defence volunteer (CDV) or as part of the MN, naval auxiliary or coastguard and you were injured or disabled because:

or

during the Second World War, you were:

Who isn't eligible?

Where disablement was caused by Service in HM Armed Forces on or after 6 April 2005, claims should be made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

You can't claim a War Disablement Pension if you're still serving in HM Armed Forces.

If you're still serving, you may be able to get financial help from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme - Veterans UK website Opens new window

How much do you get?

The amount you're paid depends on the extent of your disablement.

You'll be asked to complete a claim form about your disablement before The Veterans Agency checks your service records. The degree of your disability will then be decided by Veterans Agency medical advisers who see your medical records.

Your assessment is worked out as a percentage.

If the percentage is one of the following:

The gratuity amount depends on the extent of your disablement and how long you're likely to be disabled. But, if your condition is noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss assessed at less than 20 per cent, you won't get a gratuity.

War Disablement Pensions can also be topped up with allowances. For example, your age, care and mobility needs, or loss of earnings may affect the amount you get.

• Download 'Rates of War Pensions and allowances' (PDF, 256k) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

How it's paid

War Disablement Pension is paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office® or National Savings account.

If you're registered blind or need someone who cares for you to collect your money, a cheque can be sent to cash at the Post Office®.

Effect on other benefits

Other benefits you might get, like Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Disabled Living Allowance or Income Support, can affect the amount of War Disablement Pension you're entitled to.

For more information about which benefits may be affected you can ask your local Jobcentre Plus office.

• Employment and Support Allowance - introduction

• Contact Jobcentre Plus

How to claim

You can contact the Veterans Agency to get a claim form and help completing it:

Telephone 0800 169 2277

Textphone 0800 169 3458

Lines are open 8.15 am to 5.15 pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.15 am to 4.30 pm on Fridays.

You can also get a form from your nearest War Pensioners' Welfare Service Office. You'll find them in the local phone book under 'Veterans Agency'.

Or you can download a claim form from the Veterans Agency website.

• Veterans UK website Opens new window

How to appeal

If you disagree with the Veterans Agency's decision to refuse your claim for War Disablement Pension, you can ask them for an explanation and to re-assess your claim.

If you're still unhappy, they'll tell you how to make an appeal.

• Veterans Agency appeals Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Free help with appeals

You can get free help with an appeal by contacting the:

• Royal British Legion
• Royal British Legion Scotland
• Royal Air Forces Association

• Contact the Royal British Legion Opens new window

• Visit the Royal British Legion Scotland website Opens new window

• Visit the Royal Air Forces Association website Opens new window

More useful links

• Guide to financial support for disabled people (disabled people section)

• War Widow's or Widower's Pension