Appeal a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation decision
What you need to do if you think our decision is wrong.
Overview
You will be able to appeal most decisions under the War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Schemes. The letter telling you about the decision tells you if you can appeal.
If you are unhappy with the decision and you think there are some facts Veterans UK may not have known when we made our decision, you should contact us and ask for the decision to be looked at again. If the decision is made under the War Pension Scheme, this is called a review If it is under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, it is called a reconsideration.
If you did not get the reasons for the decision and would like an explanation, you can write to Defence Business Services at the address below.
Veterans UK
Ministry of Defence
Norcross
Thornton Cleveleys
FY5 3WP
How to appeal
If the outcome does not meet your expectations, you can ask an independent tribunal to look at it.
If the decision was made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the law says Defence Business Services must look at the decision again before an appeal can proceed. This is called a reconsideration, and it must happen first if it hasn’t been done already.
You can appeal to the independent tribunal without asking Defence Business Services to look at your case again first. However, it’s a good idea to ask them to reconsider your case because they will need to do this anyway as part of the rules.
You have 12 months to appeal from the date of your decision letter.
The actions you will be required to take depend on the date the decision was made and where you live.
If the decision was made on or before 5 April 2023 and you live in England, Wales or overseas
You can either complete an appeal form or write to us stating:
- your name, address and member/national insurance number
- the name and address of any representative
- an address where documents can be sent (this will normally be your home address)
- the date and details of the decision you want to appeal against
- why you disagree with the decision
- sign and date your correspondence.
Process Map
Guidance on the Appeals customer journey will help you understand how we process your appeal.
Appeal form
If the decision was made on or before the 5 April 2023 and you live in England, Wales or Overseas Download and fill in the form below.
The form comes with notes telling you how to fill it in and where to send it.
If you cannot download or print the form, phone or email the Veterans UK helpline to ask for a copy.
Freephone (UK only):0808 1914 2 18
Telephone (overseas): +44 1253 866 043
Email veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk
Normal Service 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
If the decision was made on or after 6 April 2023 and you live in England, Wales or overseas
You can either complete an appeal form or write to The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber (address below) stating:
- your name, address and member/national insurance number
- the name and address of any representative
- an address where documents can be sent (this will normally be your home address)
- the date and details of the decision you want to appeal against
- why you disagree with the decision
- sign and date your correspondence.
Appeal form
If the decision was made on or after the 6 April 2023 and you live in England, Wales or Overseas you can download an Appeal a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme decision: Form WPAF1
Please send the appeal form or your letter to:
War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation
PO Box 11206
Loughborough
LE11 9PT
armedforces.chamber@justice.gov.uk
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland
You must complete an appeal form:
- for Scotland this must be sent to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal Scotland, the address is on the form
- for Northern Ireland the appeal form should be sent to Veterans UK.
You should receive a letter confirming we have received your appeal. If you do not receive this, you should contact us to check we have received your request.
Late appeals
If you appeal after 12 months you must explain why you (or someone on your behalf) did not appeal within the 12 months.
The Tribunal will consider your reasons and may extend the time limit up to a further 12 months.
After you have appealed
The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal explains what happens after you have appealed which includes information on:
-
Preparing for your hearing.
-
What happens at your hearing.
-
If you lose your appeal.
If you need help
You can contact any of the service charities or support organisations who can provide guidance and offer personal representation at appeal hearings.
If you need an appeal form sending or have any further questions, phone or email:
Veterans UK
Ministry of Defence
Norcross
Thornton Cleveleys
FY5 3WP
Or
War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation
PO Box 11206
Loughborough
LE11 9PT
Armedforces.chamber@justice.gov.uk
Freephone (UK only):0808 1914 2 18
Telephone (overseas): +44 1253 866 043
Email veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk
Normal Service 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
Updates to this page
-
The Process Maps for Guidance on Appeals have been updated.
-
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Appeal_ Customer Journey map has been removed.
-
Included the customer journey maps on the appeals preparation process for Armed Forces Compensation Scheme appeal, War Pension appeal and all appeals after tribunal.
-
Updated to reflect the changes to the Appeals/Direct Lodgement rules from 6 April 2023.
-
Included guidance on the customer journey for appeals tribunals
-
Included attachments explaining the WPS & AFCS appeal (appeal preparation) customer journey.
-
First published.