Tips for applying for a Veteran Card
The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the Armed Forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran and is completely free.
Who can get a Veteran Card?
You can apply if you were in the regulars or reserves for the:
- Royal Navy
- Army
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Marines
How to use your Veteran Card
There are many services available to ex-members of the armed forces and to access them you need to verify that you are a veteran. The card gives you a simple way to do this.
For example, you could use it when you apply for:
The Veterans' Railcard offers up to a third off most rail travel.
The Defence Discount Service claims money off shopping.
National Insurance Relief, no matter when you served.
Veteran employment initiatives such as Great Place to Work
Support and guidance with housing from Op FORTITUDE
Services from criminal justice agencies as part of Op NOVA.
What you need in order to apply
Applications can be made online and you also have the option to complete and return a paper application form.
The Office for Veterans Affairs has advised online applications take eight weeks to process, whereas paper applications take four months.
To apply you'll need:
Your service number for your last period of service.
Your National Insurance number.
The approximate year you started and ended your service – it doesn’t need to be exact.
A recent passport style photo.
Accessibility features for applying online
Doing tasks online can feel very daunting when you have a vision impairment, but all computers, smart phones and tablets have built in accessibility features which may be helpful.
If you're a beneficiary of Blind Veterans UK, ask your community team for support.
Read our resource, Seeing text more clearly on a screen, to find out how to use the following features.
Changes the appearance of the text and pictures.
This setting enlarges the content.
Reads the content on the screen aloud.
Changes the colours to make the text easier to read.
How to access the application form
The online application form can be found at www.gov.uk/veteran-card
To order a paper application, you can email the Veterans UK Helpline at veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk or call them on 0808 1914 218.
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Are you a veteran with a vision impairment?
We can help you regain your independence.
