Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Veterans ID cards help veterans with the cost of living crisis.

The Veterans Recognition Card provides a memento of Service and maintains a tangible link to the Armed Forces. It is also one of the ways that veterans can verify their service to help access public and charitable sector services and support, but possession of a card is not a prerequisite to do so.

Veterans are civilians and are entitled to the same cost of living support offered by the National, Local, and Devolved Governments wherever they reside, in common with the general population. This includes the Energy Price Guarantee, Cost of Living payments, and Council Tax rebate as applicable to their location and personal circumstances. Veterans may also receive financial support targeted at them as a distinct group from their Regimental Associations or Service Benevolent Funds, and additional support is also available from the wider Armed Forces charitable sector.

In terms of support provided by the Ministry of Defence, Veterans UK has processed Disability Cost of Living payments for eligible veterans whose only government-paid income is from a War Disablement Pension. It also provides, through its Veterans’ Welfare Service, one-to-one welfare support and advice to veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk. Any veteran struggling with their finances should contact Veterans UK in the first instance, who can then advise on appropriate avenues of support.