Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS): Who Can Claim and How Specialist Legal Advice Can Help

If you have suffered an injury, illness or psychological condition as a result of your service in the UK Armed Forces, you may be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

The AFCS provides financial support to serving personnel, reservists and veterans who have sustained a service-related injury or developed a medical condition on or after 6 April 2005. It is a no-fault compensation scheme, meaning you do not need to prove that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was negligent in order to make a successful claim.

Depending on the severity of your condition, compensation may include a tax-free lump sum payment and, for the most serious injuries, a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) to provide ongoing financial support.

How do you make an AFCS claim?

Claims are submitted through Veterans UK and, in most cases, must be made within seven years of either:

• the date of the injury being caused or made worse by service.

Although the application process may appear straightforward, establishing the full extent of your injuries and ensuring all eligible conditions are included can be challenging.

How can a specialist military compensation solicitor help?

Seeking advice from a lawyer with expertise in military compensation can significantly improve the quality of your claim. A specialist can:

• Assess whether you are eligible to claim under the AFCS.
• Gather the necessary medical, service and supporting evidence.
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive application.
• Ensure every service-related injury or condition is properly considered.
• Advise whether you may also have grounds for a separate civil claim against the Ministry of Defence where negligence has contributed to your injury, which could result in additional compensation.

Exclusions from entitlement to benefit

There are a number of situations which prevent service personnel from claiming for injuries in service.  Specifically, there are disqualifications in relation to sport.  Tripping, slipping and falling disqualifies service personnel from claiming unless the activities were of a hazardous nature and authorised by the chain of command.  Furthermore, injuries occurring at social events are specifically excluded unless attendance was required by order.

Our expert lawyers are fully aware of these exemptions and will be able to work with you from the outset to ensure evidence is obtained to give you the best chance of securing compensation when one of the exemptions applies to your case.

What if your claim has been rejected or the award is too low?

If your AFCS claim has been refused, or you believe the level of compensation awarded does not accurately reflect your injuries, you may be able to challenge the decision.

Our specialist team can advise on:

• Mandatory reviews.
• Appeals.
• Representation before the Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal.

Having experienced legal representation can help maximise your prospects of securing the compensation to which you are entitled.

Speak to our specialist team

Whether you are making a new claim or wish to challenge an existing decision, our experienced military compensation lawyers are here to help. We can guide you through every stage of the process, explain your legal options and work to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Contact our specialist team today for confidential advice on your Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claim.