New MOD veterans ID card rolled out to service leavers
A new ID card for all British armed forces veterans has started to be issued by the Ministry of Defence in a bid to help service leavers access specialist support and services.
What is the veterans ID card and who will receive one?
From today (8 January 2020), a new veterans ID card will be given to service leavers to mark their time in the armed forces.
According to the MOD, any personnel who have left the military since December 2018 will automatically be given one of the new ID cards, which will allow them to maintain a tangible link to their career in the forces. All other veterans who left the armed forces before December 2018 will be able to apply for a new ID card by the end of 2020.
What are the benefits of a veterans ID card?
The new ID card allows veterans in the UK to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed. Veterans UK - which manages pensions and compensation payments for the armed forces - will also benefit from the change.
The new ID cards will ensure the process of validating service is as straightforward as possible, so that ex-forces personnel can access support for issues related to their service quickly.
Former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the ex-forces community, and we are working hard to ensure they receive the support they deserve. These new cards celebrate the great commitment and dedication of those who have served this country, and I hope they can provide a further link to ex-personnel and the incredible community around them.”
What else is available to service leavers?
The new veterans ID card is one of three currently available to service leavers. Personnel leaving the military are also able to keep their military IDs, known as the MOD Form 90, allowing them to maintain a connection with their service. Additionally, veterans can access a range of discounts through the Defence Discount Service, the official MOD-endorsed service for the armed forces.
Any veteran in need of support can also contact the Veterans’ Gateway, a 24 hour service which signposts ex-forces personnel to the support available to them, including housing and financial advice, career guidance, and medical care from the NHS.
See also
What is the 'Order of Wear' for British honours, decorations and medals?
Find out more
Publication updated
29 February 2024