Veterans affected by the armed forces LGBT ban have until 12 December to claim

Veterans affected by the armed forces ban on LGBT personnel have until 11:59pm on Saturday 12 December to apply for a Ministry of Defence^3,4 recognition payment. Brighton & Hove City Council¹ is asking local veterans to register, and anyone who knows one to tell them about the scheme.

Between 1967 and 2000 it was against the rules to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans in Britain’s armed forces.

What you can claim

The Financial Recognition Scheme has two payments, and you can apply for one or both.

The Dismissed or Discharged Payment offers a fixed £50,000 for anyone dismissed or administratively discharged because of the ban, including officers ordered to resign or retire.

The Impact Payment ranges from £1,000 to £20,000 and is assessed by an independent panel. It is for people affected by the ban in other ways while serving, for example through harassment, investigations or disciplinary action. Applicants for it need to provide a written account, or testimony, of what happened. For the Dismissed or Discharged Payment, a written account is optional.

The scheme covers service between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000. It is open to anyone impacted by the ban, regardless of their actual sexual orientation or gender identity. Applications can only be accepted for living veterans or personnel. Payments are exempt from income tax and won’t affect means-tested benefits. You don’t need your service records: the scheme team gathers them.

How to apply

Online, you register for a Defence Gateway account, then fill in the form in the scheme’s app. Login details should arrive by email within one working day. If you’d rather use paper, Veterans UK will post a form with a Freepost envelope. Call 0808 1914 218, 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, or email veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk.

Fighting With Pride, the charity that championed the scheme, offers free help with applications on 0203 981 3810. The Royal British Legion helps too, on 0808 802 8080. Advisers work by phone, and face-to-face help can be arranged where needed.

The government’s figures to 28 September show 1,780 people have applied so far, and £59,305,000 has been paid out.

Amanda Grimshaw, the Armed Forces Champion for Brighton & Hove, said in a council statement: “We know that there are many people who served in silence. Some may not have heard about this scheme. Some may think it’s too late, or that it isn’t for them. It is for them.”

“Please don’t let worry, pride or paperwork stop you,” she said.