Changes to AFCS

Today, the revised Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)  was launched, incorporating all of the recommendations made by Admiral the Lord Boyce, former Chief of Defence Staff, in his Review of the Scheme in 2010.

This means Service personnel who become injured or ill as a result of their service will now be able to benefit from an even more comprehensive compensation package.

And from today, all Service personnel and ex-Service personnel who submit a claim for AFCS compensation will have their claims assessed under the new rules.

This means that they may benefit from several changes to the scheme, notably:

•  An increase, which averages in excess of 25 per cent, to all lump sum payments, except the top award which was recently doubled to £570,000; 
• An increase to the maximum award payable for mental illness from £48,875 to £140,000, in order to accurately reflect the impact of the most serious mental health conditions; and
•  An increase to all Guaranteed Income Payments (GIPs) which are paid to those who are seriously injured. A GIP is a monthly tax-free, inflation proof income stream which is payable from discharge, for life. The increase reflects the lasting effect of more serious injuries on future promotion prospects and on the ability to work to age 65.

Anyone who have previously received an award from the scheme (since its started in April 2005) will have their awards uplifted in line with the new increases. Over the next year, our Agency will be reviewing some 10,000 awards and informing previous recipients of the increase to their awards. Those affected do not need to take any action, we will be contacting you.

The contact card designed to fit in a wallet

There have been significant changes made to the scheme, with some 69 changes made, from a change to how we calculate claims where an individual has suffered multiple injuries in a single incident - compensation is now paid for each of the injuries to improved awareness and understanding of the scheme in the Armed Forces community.

  



The AFCS leaflet ready to download



So, to get more information, you can visit the AFCS webpages which has been updated with new pages of information and materials targeted towards Service personnel; families and dependants; and the wider military support network.

You'll be able to download an AFCS leaflet, contact card, poster, presentation or podcast. We’ve produced a series of three podcasts providing information on the changes which include an interview with the Army’s Pay Colonel, Colonel Fiona Gardner. You can download the podcasts direct from the the SPVA social media hub or via iTunes.

  

This poster is available to download and print

If you do want to speak to someone direct, you can phone our free helpline - 0800 169 2277 - for further advice and guidance.  The chain of command or voluntary organisations are also able to provide support.

 
I f you have a specific query or need advice relating to claims then call our helpline on 0800 169 2277 or visit the MOD and SPVA webpages.