Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the assessment criteria is for applications for the Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.
An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.
Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.
Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:
There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applicants to the Armed Forces Independence Payment received the Personal Independence Payment whilst waiting for their application to be processed in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.
An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.
Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.
Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:
There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have applied for the Armed Forces Independence Payment in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) to date in 2025.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.
An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.
Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.
Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:
There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Personal Independence Payment claimants are veterans with service-related health conditions in the latest period for which data is available.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department does not centrally hold data on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants’ previous occupation, so we are not able to determine which claimants are veterans.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to (a) Universal Credit and (b) Personal Independence Payment on veterans.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
No assessment has been made. Information on previous occupations is not systematically recorded on DWP IT systems and is not readily available for analysis.
Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
We will be making changes so no one currently on PIP will lose PIP as a result of the four-point change. The four point eligibility requirement will be implemented from November 2026 for new claims only, subject to Parliamentary approval.
We take our commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously. My department has taken steps to ensure that veterans with injuries or conditions arising from their service are appropriately supported when accessing statutory support, this includes the establishment of the Armed Forces Independence Payment and ensuring that those receiving War Disablement Pensions and guaranteed income payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme do not have their Universal Credit (UC) reduced to take account of this income.
We have welcomed veterans and representative organisations to respond to our Green Paper consultation to share their views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported. To promote further engagement, we recently held a specific consultation event for Armed Forces and veterans’ organisations on 25 June to hear their experiences and thoughts directly.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans will be impacted by proposed changes to (a) Universal Credit and (b) Personal Independence Payment.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
No such assessment has been made.
However, as we develop proposals further, we are carefully considering the potential impacts, including on veterans and their families, as part of our broader response to the Green Paper consultation. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, such as the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA), and many others, to contribute their views on how best to support wounded, injured, and sick veterans.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will introduce mandatory training to ensure that all benefits assessors understand the impact of military service-related (a) injuries and (b) mental health conditions on claimants who have served in the armed forces.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I have interpreted your question to refer to health professionals (HPs) who conduct Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for our assessment suppliers on behalf of the department, and not Department for Work and Pensions decision makers who make decisions on entitlement to benefit.
The Functional Assessment Service contracts require assessment suppliers to act in a manner supportive of the Armed Forces Covenant, to ensure the fair treatment of veterans and their families.
PIP assessments and WCAs are not medical consultations and do not require HPs to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living activities and/or their capability for work.
HPs conducting assessments are trained specialists in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis. All HPs receive specific training on assessing the effects of mental health conditions and are supported by Mental Health Function Champions (MHFCs). MHFCs are experienced professionals with relevant expertise in mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities. They are available to provide advice and support throughout the assessment process.
Additionally, HPs have access to Condition Insight Reports and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guides. These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information on a range of conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments.
Furthermore, within the WCA core training and guidance material (CTGM) there is a CPD module titled ‘life post miliary service’. While this does not currently form part of the PIP CTGM, we do intend to make this available across the benefit strands.
On 25 June, I attended an online event with veterans, as one of the series of consultation events on the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory veteran-aware training for benefit assessors.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I have interpreted your question to refer to health professionals (HPs) who conduct Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for our assessment suppliers on behalf of the department, and not Department for Work and Pensions decision makers who make decisions on entitlement to benefit.
The Functional Assessment Service contracts require assessment suppliers to act in a manner supportive of the Armed Forces Covenant, to ensure the fair treatment of veterans and their families.
PIP assessments and WCAs are not medical consultations and do not require HPs to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living activities and/or their capability for work.
HPs conducting assessments are trained specialists in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis. All HPs receive specific training on assessing the effects of mental health conditions and are supported by Mental Health Function Champions (MHFCs). MHFCs are experienced professionals with relevant expertise in mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities. They are available to provide advice and support throughout the assessment process.
Additionally, HPs have access to Condition Insight Reports and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guides. These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information on a range of conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments.
Furthermore, within the WCA core training and guidance material (CTGM) there is a CPD module titled ‘life post miliary service’. While this does not currently form part of the PIP CTGM, we do intend to make this available across the benefit strands.
On 25 June, I attended an online event with veterans, as one of the series of consultation events on the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help tackle stigma among disabled veterans claiming PIP.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The benefits system exists to support people at critical points in their lives and for a range of reasons. There should be no stigma attached to claiming a benefit you're entitled to, and people should claim social security benefits as and when their circumstances dictate.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to provide training in (a) military and (b) trauma-informed care to Personal Independence Payment assessors working with veterans in Fylde.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are not medical consultations and do not require Health Professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living activities.
HPs conducting PIP assessments are trained specialists in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis. All HPs receive specific training on assessing the effects of mental health conditions and are supported by Mental Health Function Champions (MHFCs). MHFCs are experienced professionals with relevant expertise in mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities. They are available to provide advice and support throughout the assessment process.
Additionally, HPs have access to Condition Insight Reports and Continuing Professional Development guides. These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information on a range of conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments.