Type 22 Association
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Type 22 Association

Type 22 Association

Veterans' Benefits &
Signposting Hub

Practical support and guidance for Type 22 veterans, their families, and carers. Whatever the challenge — mental health, housing, finances, employment — help is available.

Not sure where to start? Contact Veterans' Gateway — a single front door to all veteran support services, available 24/7 by phone, webchat, or email.

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Specialist services, peer support, and crisis resources

Op COURAGE

NHS

NHS mental health specialist service for veterans, reservists, and their families. Covers PTSD, depression, anxiety, and transition challenges. GP referral or self-referral accepted.

nhs.uk/op-courage →
All veterans

Combat Stress

Charity

UK's leading veterans' mental health charity offering residential, community, and online treatment for PTSD and related conditions. 24-hour helpline available.

combatstress.org.uk →
All veterans

PTSD Resolution

Charity

Free therapy for veterans who don't meet the threshold for NHS specialist services. No GP referral needed. Particularly useful for those falling through the gaps.

ptsdresolution.org →
Sub-threshold PTSD

Togetherall

Online

Anonymous peer support platform, free to veterans. A safe online community where members support each other, monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians.

togetherall.com →
All veterans

HeadFIT

MOD

MOD-provided mental fitness tools and self-help resources. Helps veterans build resilience and manage anxiety before it becomes a clinical issue.

headfit.org →
All veterans

Financial Support & Pensions

AFPS, compensation schemes, and welfare grants

Veterans UK — Pension Portal

Government

Trace and manage Armed Forces pensions (AFPS 75, AFPS 05, AFPS 15). Also handles War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims. One-to-one welfare support available free of charge.

gov.uk/veterans-uk →
All veterans

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

Government

Lump sum and ongoing payments for injuries or illness caused or made worse by service after 6 April 2005. Time limits apply — claims should be made promptly.

gov.uk/afcs →
Service-related injury

War Pension Scheme

Government

Compensation for those whose injury or illness was caused by service before 6 April 2005. No time limit on claims. Includes supplementary allowances for mobility and care needs.

gov.uk/war-pension →
Pre-2005 service

Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC)

Charity

Financial assistance grants for RN veterans and their families facing hardship. Covers emergency needs, equipment, and longer-term support. Apply directly or via SSAFA caseworker.

rnrmc.org.uk →
RN veterans

Housing

Affordable housing, emergency accommodation, and covenant rights

Haig Housing Trust

Charity

Affordable rented housing specifically for ex-servicemen and women and their families. Properties across the UK, priority given to those in greatest need.

haighousing.org.uk →
All veterans

Veterans Aid

Charity

Emergency accommodation and support for veterans in housing crisis. Based in London but assists veterans nationally. Holistic support including welfare advice.

veterans-aid.net →
Housing crisis

Armed Forces Covenant — Housing Rights

Government

Under the Covenant, local councils must give "reasonable preference" to veterans when allocating social housing. If you feel this right isn't being honoured, SSAFA can help you challenge the decision.

gov.uk/covenant-housing →
All veterans

SSAFA Housing Casework

Charity

Trained caseworkers who can navigate housing applications, council disputes, and emergency situations on your behalf. Free service, available nationwide.

ssafa.org.uk →
All veterans

Career Transition & Employment

Resettlement, job boards, and entrepreneurship support

Career Transition Partnership (CTP)

MOD

The MOD's official resettlement service. CV support, interview coaching, job board, and training grants. Access continues for up to 2 years after discharge for most service leavers.

ctp.org.uk →
All veterans

Forces Employment Charity

Charity

Free employment support for veterans at any stage — whether recently discharged or years out of service. Job matching, skills translation, and employer introductions.

forcesemployment.org.uk →
All veterans

X-Forces Enterprise

Enterprise

Support network for veterans and their families who want to start or grow a business. Mentoring, funding guidance, and a community of veteran entrepreneurs.

xforces.org →
Self-employment

Civil Service Guaranteed Interview

Government

Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for a Civil Service role are guaranteed an interview. Declare your veteran status on the application form to claim this entitlement.

civil-service-careers.gov.uk →
All veterans

Healthcare

NHS entitlements, specialist services, and hearing care

NHS Priority Treatment

NHS

Veterans have priority access to NHS treatment for conditions related to their service, subject to clinical need. Tell your GP you are a veteran — many surgeries now have veteran-friendly GP accreditation.

nhs.uk/armed-forces →
All veterans

Veterans Trauma Network

NHS

Specialist NHS network for veterans with complex physical injuries from service. Coordinates care across multiple specialties and regions. GP referral required.

veteranstraumanetwork.nhs.uk →
Physical injury

NHS Hearing Services for Veterans

NHS

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common service-related conditions among RN veterans, particularly those who served in machinery spaces. Ask your GP for a referral to audiology and mention your veteran status.

nhs.uk/hearing-loss →
Hearing loss

Identity, Records & Documentation

Service records, medals, and Veterans ID Card

Armed Forces Veterans Card

Government

Official photo ID confirming veteran status. Free to apply, required to access many veteran-specific services and discounts. UK postal address required. Takes up to 8 weeks.

gov.uk/veteran-card →
All veterans

Service Records Request

Government

Request your service records via Veterans UK's online portal. Older records (pre-digital era) may require a postal request and can take several weeks. Records are required for many pension and compensation claims.

gov.uk/military-records →
All veterans

Medal Enquiries & Replacements

Government

Apply for medals not yet received or obtain replacements for lost medals via the MOD Medal Office. Replacements are available at cost; originals are issued free if not previously awarded.

gov.uk/apply-medal →
All veterans

Blue Light & Veterans Discounts

Retail, leisure, and travel savings for veterans

Defence Discount Service

Discounts

Free card giving access to hundreds of retailer discounts across travel, dining, shopping, and leisure. Available to veterans alongside serving personnel. One of the most comprehensive discount schemes available.

defencediscountservice.co.uk →
All veterans

Blue Light Card

Discounts

Available to veterans as well as emergency services workers. Small annual fee. Accepted at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and attractions across the UK.

bluelightcard.co.uk →
All veterans

English Heritage Free Membership

Leisure

Veterans are entitled to free entry at English Heritage and many Historic England sites. Present your Veterans Card at the gate. A great way to explore the nation's military and naval heritage.

english-heritage.org.uk →
All veterans

CSSC Sports & Leisure

Leisure

Affordable membership giving access to sports facilities, leisure activities, and social clubs across the UK. Open to veterans as well as current public sector workers.

cssc.co.uk →
All veterans

Family & Carer Support

Support for families, carers, and the bereaved

SSAFA Family Services

Charity

Welfare casework and practical support for families of veterans. Covers financial hardship, housing, bereavement, and signposting to specialist services. Free, confidential, nationwide.

ssafa.org.uk →
Families

War Widows' Association

Charity

Support, community, and advocacy for those who have lost a partner due to military service. Campaigns for improvements to War Widows' Pensions and provides peer support.

warwidowsassociation.org.uk →
Bereavement

Carers Trust

Charity

Support for anyone caring for a veteran with physical or mental health needs. Advice on carer's assessments, benefits, and respite services. Local carer centres across the UK.

carers.org →
Carers

Combat Stress — Family Support

Charity

Combat Stress offers guidance and support to family members and carers of veterans experiencing mental health difficulties — not just the veterans themselves.

combatstress.org.uk/family →
Families

Single point of contact

Veterans' Gateway

If you're unsure which organisation to contact, Veterans' Gateway is the place to start. They can connect you to the right support across all the services listed above — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Information correct as of 2026. Links checked regularly — if you find a broken link, please let us know. This page is maintained by the Type 22 Association committee.