The government has issued a new update addressing delays within the War Pension Scheme (WPS), which continues to affect thousands of veterans. Although the scheme stopped accepting claims for injuries sustained after 5 April 2005, many veterans still submit claims related to service prior to that date, with recent figures showing a significant backlog.
The WPS is distinct from the state pension and provides compensation to veterans for injuries or illnesses caused or worsened by their service in His Majesty’s Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. Eligibility requires that claimants are no longer serving in the Armed Forces and that their disablement arose prior to that cutoff date.
Compensation under the scheme comes in two main forms: a tax-free gratuity for disablement under 20%, and an ongoing tax-free pension for disablement exceeding 20%. The scheme continues to play an important role in supporting veterans and their families, with thousands of new claims submitted annually and many recipients seeking reassessments due to deteriorating conditions over time.
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Recent data reveals that processing times have increased considerably, with first claims now taking an average of 17 months to reach a decision-far longer than in previous years. This rise in processing time has led to renewed scrutiny in Parliament.
Labour MP for Colne Valley, Paul Davies, questioned the Ministry of Defence (MOD) about the measures being taken to reduce delays. In response, Calvin Bailey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the MOD and Minister for Veterans and People, outlined the steps being implemented.
Bailey explained that the MOD has adopted flexible resource management to allow staff mobility and cross-training in multiple skillsets to improve efficiency. To accelerate claim processing, overtime and weekend working have been introduced alongside recruitment of additional administrative and caseworker personnel.
A dedicated taskforce has also been established to stabilise the system, oversee operational performance, and identify areas requiring improvement. All claims are managed strictly in date order to ensure fairness, with priority given to claimants who are terminally ill or over 90 years old.
Legal experts at law firm Hugh James emphasise the importance of the WPS despite its closure to new service-related injuries post-2005. Hannah Baker, a representative of the firm, highlighted the extended processing times as a key concern, noting the impact delays have on veterans living with disabling conditions, those who have retired early due to ill health, and those facing financial uncertainty.
Baker noted that recent changes in the MOD’s case management system mean caution should be exercised when comparing current figures with previous years. Nonetheless, the 17-month average processing time underscores the lengthy nature of claims and the need for claimants to prepare for extended wait periods.
The firm also pointed out that over half of the claims filed in the past year were second or subsequent claims, reflecting the progression of service-related conditions such as orthopaedic and mental health issues that can worsen long after discharge. Veterans experiencing deterioration may apply for reassessments and increased pension payments if the worsening can be linked to their military service.
The continued volume of claims highlights the long-term effects of military service and the ongoing need for appropriate compensation.
For more information on eligibility and the War Pension Scheme, visit the official government guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/war-pension-scheme-wps#who-is-eligible.