Claiming Benefits Explained

There isn't one place to claim everything, which is the main reason people miss things they're owed.

Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance come from the Department for Work and Pensions. Service-related compensation — the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the War Pension Scheme — comes from Veterans UK and works completely separately. Council tax reduction and Disabled Facilities Grants come from your local council.

Your armed forces pension is separate again, and handled by Defence Business Services rather than any of the above.

Before you claim anything, it's worth running an independent benefits calculator. They're listed on GOV.UK and they'll show you what applies to your circumstances, which is quicker than working through each scheme in turn.

Who is eligible?

It depends entirely on which one you're claiming, and the tests are different for each.

The DWP benefits are mostly about your income, your savings and your health. Universal Credit is means-tested; Personal Independence Payment isn't. Employment and Support Allowance depends on your National Insurance record and how your health affects your work.

The armed forces schemes work differently again — they're about your service and what happened during it, not your income. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has a 7-year time limit; the War Pension Scheme has none.

The Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Citizens Advice will all go through your situation with you for free, which is usually faster than guessing.

What benefits does this provide?

  • Income while you look for work: Universal Credit is the main working-age payment, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
  • Help with health-related costs: Personal Independence Payment covers the extra costs of a long-term condition or disability; Employment and Support Allowance supports you where illness limits the work you can do.
  • Service-related compensation: The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the War Pension Scheme are handled by Veterans UK, sit outside the DWP system, and are not means-tested.
  • Help with housing costs: Housing support is paid through Universal Credit, and council tax reduction is administered by your local council.
  • Support for your family: Child Benefit, and extra funding for your children's school through the Service Pupil Premium.
  • Employment support: Free help through Jobcentre Plus, the Career Transition Partnership and Op ASCEND.
  • Free help with claims: The Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Citizens Advice all assist veterans with benefit claims at no charge.

How do I apply?

  • Check what you may be entitled to first: Use one of the independent benefits calculators listed on GOV.UK — it will show which payments apply to your circumstances before you start claiming.
  • Get your documents together: Your discharge documents (for example your Certificate of Service), your National Insurance number, bank details and any medical evidence.
  • Claim state benefits from the DWP: Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance are claimed from the Department for Work and Pensions through GOV.UK — not from the MoD or Veterans UK.
  • Claim service-related compensation from Veterans UK: AFCS and War Pension claims follow an entirely separate process from DWP benefits. Note the AFCS 7-year time limit.
  • Apply to your council for local support: Council tax reduction and Disabled Facilities Grants are administered by your local council.
  • Get free, independent advice: The Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Citizens Advice help with forms, evidence and appeals at no cost.
  • Track your claim and meet the deadlines: Respond promptly to requests for evidence, and note the time limit for challenging any decision you disagree with.

Common questions

What benefits can veterans claim in the UK?

Universal Credit for living and housing costs, PIP for the extra costs of a long-term condition, and ESA where illness limits your work. Separately, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme cover service-related injury, and your council handles council tax reduction.

Do you claim veterans' benefits from Veterans UK or the DWP?

Both, for different things. Universal Credit, PIP and ESA come from the Department for Work and Pensions. Compensation and War Pension claims go to Veterans UK. Council tax reduction and housing grants come from your local council.

Is there a time limit on claiming veterans' benefits?

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has a 7-year limit. The War Pension Scheme has none, though payments run from the date you claim rather than the date of the injury.

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Last reviewed 26 August 2026 by Brittany Belt, Co-founder and COO