What is The AFCS – How Our Partnership with Military Injury Can Help Service Members
What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides financial compensation to serving and former military personnel who suffer a service-related injury or illness on or after 6 April 2005, with other schemes like the War Pension Scheme (WPS) available to those pre-2005. Unlike private claims, the AFCS is a no-fault scheme, meaning individuals do not need to prove negligence, only that their condition is linked to the service.
AFCS is designed to recognise the sacrifices made by ex-military personnel and those currently transitioning out of the Armed Forces, offering support through lump sum payments and, where applicable, long-term income support for serious or life-changing conditions.
Many veterans and service members don’t realise that AFCS claims can be made years after discharge, especially if conditions worsen over time. That’s why having support from trusted organisations like Military Injury can make a big difference.
If you’ve suffered from an injury or illness like toxic fume exposure that was directly caused by your service in any of the branches of the Armed Forces, the Veterans Welfare Group is here to guide you through each step of the process. – Call our specialist, veteran support team today to learn more about your pension options and post-discharge support.
Who Can Apply for AFCS?
The AFCS is open to all UK Armed Forces personnel, including both regular and reserve members, provided their injury or illness occurred on or after 6 April 2005. Importantly, you don’t have to be currently serving; many successful claims are made after leaving service, particularly when conditions take time to develop or become fully diagnosed.
At Military Injury, their team ensures that eligibility is assessed properly, especially for those unsure whether their condition qualifies under the scheme. They also help veterans navigate common misunderstandings, such as the belief that only visible or severe injuries are covered.
AFCS Eligibility Criteria
- You served in the UK Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve)
- The injury or illness happened on or after 6 April 2005
- The condition was caused or made worse by military service
- You apply within 7 years of the incident, diagnosis, or discharge (whichever is latest)
Who Is Covered by AFCS
- Serving personnel injured during training or deployment
- Veterans with delayed-onset conditions (e.g. PTSD)
- Medically discharged personnel due to service-related injury or illness
- Dependents (in fatal cases where the next of kin can claim)
Eligibility doesn’t depend on fault or negligence; the main focus is whether your condition can be reasonably linked to your service duties. This is where Military Injury’s expertise comes in. They work with veterans to gather the medical and service evidence needed to build a strong claim
Types of Compensation Under AFCS
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme offers two main types of financial awards depending on the severity and long-term impact of your injury or illness:
- Lump Sum Payment – a one-off, tax-free award for pain and suffering
- Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) – regular monthly payments for those whose ability to earn is permanently reduced
At Military Injury, their expert team helps claimants understand which award they may be entitled to and ensures all evidence is submitted to reflect the true extent of their condition.
Overview of AFCS Compensation Types Table
Some examples of injuries and their respective payout type and amount, according to the
Type | Description | Example Scenario |
Lump Sum Payment | One-off, tax-free payment based on a set tariff | £60,000 for serious spinal damage |
Guaranteed Income Payment | Monthly income support for lost future earning capacity | £12,000 per year for PTSD impacting work |
How Are Awards Calculated?
AFCS uses a 15-level tariff system. Each level represents a distinct type of injury or condition, ranging from minor to life-altering. For example:
- Level 1: Catastrophic injuries (e.g. multiple amputations)
- Level 15: Minor conditions (e.g. short-term sprains)
In cases involving permanent disability, GIP is calculated based on age, rank, and earning potential, and Military Injury ensures these factors are accurately represented to prevent underpayment.
Other Compensation Schemes If You Don’t Qualify For AFCS
If you’re a former service member and you sustained a service-related injury before 6 April 2005, you will not qualify for the AFCS; however, the war pension scheme is intended for injured veterans before this date, meaning you can still receive compensation.
How Compensation is Calculated under the WPS
Financial compensation under the WPS depends on an evaluation of your level of disability caused by your injury, illness, or condition. If the MOD assess your disablement at 20% or more, you will receive a monthly pension, paid every four weeks, for life. If your injury, illness, or condition is assessed at less than 20%, you may be entitled to a lump sum (gratuity).
Who Can Apply for AFCS?
The AFCS is open to all UK Armed Forces personnel, including both regular and reserve members, provided their injury or illness occurred on or after 6 April 2005. Importantly, you don’t have to be currently serving; many successful claims are made after leaving service, particularly when conditions take time to develop or become fully diagnosed.
At Military Injury, their team ensures that eligibility is assessed properly, especially for those unsure whether their condition qualifies under the scheme. They also help veterans navigate common misunderstandings, such as the belief that only visible or severe injuries are covered.
AFCS Eligibility Criteria
- You served in the UK Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve)
- The injury or illness happened on or after 6 April 2005
- The condition was caused or made worse by military service
- You apply within 7 years of the incident, diagnosis, or discharge (whichever is latest)
Who Is Covered by AFCS
- Serving personnel injured during training or deployment
- Veterans with delayed-onset conditions (e.g. PTSD)
- Medically discharged personnel due to service-related injury or illness
- Dependents (in fatal cases where the next of kin can claim)
Eligibility doesn’t depend on fault or negligence; the main focus is whether your condition can be reasonably linked to your service duties. This is where Military Injury’s expertise comes in. They work with veterans to gather the medical and service evidence needed to build a strong claim
If you’re unsure about your benefit options leading up to your medical discharge or how to apply – the Veterans Welfare Group is here to help you navigate the options and access what you’re entitled to.
How Military Injury Supports You
Military Injury is a dedicated service that helps current and former Armed Forces personnel navigate the often complicated AFCS and WPS claims process. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward injury or a more complex condition like PTSD, their team provides clear, hands-on support to maximise your chances of a successful claim.
Working in partnership with organisations like the Veterans Welfare Group, Military Injury acts as a bridge between veterans and the Ministry of Defence, handling paperwork, sourcing medical evidence, and explaining the process at each stage.
What Military Injury Helps With
- Assessing your eligibility under AFCS or WPS.
- Offering a one-to-one call with an expert in this field.
- Reviewing medical records and service history
- Preparing and submitting your claim
- Liaising with Veterans UK on your behalf
- Giving you a detailed explanation of the result of your application.
- Appealing rejected claims where appropriate.
They work on a No-Win No-Fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless your claim succeeds. If your application is approved under the AFCS, their fee is 23% of your award plus VAT. Under the WPS, where you receive a lump sum, the fee is also 23% plus VAT. If your WPS4 application results in a War Pension paid monthly, the fee is a one-time payment of £500 plus VAT.
No-Fault Schemes
The AFCS and the WPS are no-fault schemes, and this is important because you are not making an allegation of negligence against the MOD. You are simply making an application using a tried and tested procedure which, although it requires very careful completion, is non-litigious and settled in terms of months rather than years for a civil claim.
Claiming After Medical Discharge
While AFCS is available to all qualifying service personnel, those who have been medically discharged often are in a strong position to claim. Discharge usually follows a formal medical assessment, which already provides the kind of evidence AFCS needs to support a compensation award.
At Veterans Welfare Group, we work alongside Military Injury to assist discharged personnel in understanding their entitlements and preparing well-supported claims. Many individuals discharged due to PTSD, musculoskeletal damage or traumatic brain injury are unaware that they might be eligible for both lump sum and income-based awards under the scheme.
Even if you’re unsure whether your discharge qualifies, Military Injury offers free initial assessments to evaluate your case. If eligible, they’ll help compile the necessary documents and submit the claim on your behalf, taking pressure off you during a difficult time.
Why Choose Veterans Welfare Group
At Veterans Welfare Group, our aim is to ensure that no former service personnel are left to face complex systems like AFCS on their own. We work in close collaboration with Military Injury to provide complete, specialist support, from explaining how military compensation works to helping with mental health, continued rehabilitation, and long-term welfare needs.
Whether you’re considering making a claim or have already started one, we’re here to connect you to the right help at the right time. With Military Injury handling the legal process and our team supporting your wider needs, you’ll never face the system alone.
Start Your AFCS Claim with the Right Support
If you’ve been injured or fallen ill due to your service in the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme may offer you the recognition and financial support you deserve. Whether you’ve been medically discharged, are still serving, or have left the military but served post April 2005 – get in touch with our advisors today.
Through our collaboration with Military Injury, we at Veterans Welfare Group ensure that no veteran is left navigating this process alone. Their claims’ no-win, no-fee ’ model, when combined with our ongoing welfare support, means you receive holistic, comprehensive, and compassionate help from start to finish.
