Using your HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
Find out more about the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, including how to apply for one and what the card can do for you.
What the card can do for you
It鈥檚 the quickest and easiest way to prove your veteran status and maintain your service identity.
You can use the card to:
- vote in UK elections
- prove your identity on British Airways domestic flights
- access the many services, discounts and special offers that organisations make available to veterans
How to get a card
If you鈥檝e left service since 2019, you should have received an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card when leaving.
If you left service before 2019, you can apply for one online.
Examples of when you can use the card
The card can be useful any time you need to prove your veteran status. Some examples are outlined below.
Voting in UK elections
You can use your veteran card to prove your identity when voting in UK elections.
Looking for work
You can use the card to:
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access employment schemes, such as:
- claim National Insurance contributions relief for your first civilian employer after service
- access benefits support
Managing your health
You can use the card to:
- register with your GP as a veteran
- access Op COURAGE, the government-backed NHS mental health support pathway for veterans
- access Op RESTORE, the government-backed NHS physical health and well-being service for veterans (GP referral required)
Getting discounts
You can use the card to:
- get a Defence Discount Card, providing access to discounts from over 12,000 restaurants and retailers on the high street and online
- access armed forces schemes, such as the Armed Forces Free Swimming Scheme in Wales and free or subsidised access to gyms from some English councils
- get discounted entry to certain museums and attractions
Making travel easier and cheaper
You can use the card to:
- prove your identity when travelling on domestic flights with British Airways
- get a , entitling you up to a third off most rail travel in England, Scotland and Wales
- get a , offering free travel at any time on London鈥檚 buses, tubes, trams, DLR, and Overground services, as well as free travel on most National Rail services within London
You can get a Veterans Oyster photocard if you:
- receive ongoing payments under the聽War Pensions Scheme聽in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants), or
- receive Guaranteed Income Payment under the聽Armed Forces Compensation Scheme聽in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants), or
- you live聽in a聽聽and are eligible for a聽听辞谤听
Getting housing support
You can use the card to:
- access Op FORTITUDE, the government-backed support pathway for veterans experiencing homelessness
- access the , a programme that helps veterans in need find rented social housing
- claim exemption from a local connection test when applying for social housing
Find out more about finding a civilian home as a veteran.
Getting support from criminal justice agencies
You can use the card to:
- accessing Op NOVA, the government-backed support pathway for veterans who are in contact with the justice system in England
Updates to this page
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Updated page to list new use cases.
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Added image of sample Veteran Card.
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Added lines on local connection test exemption for social housing allocation.
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Page updated to reflect card application process is now live.
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Added bullet 'get a Defence Discount Service Card, to claim discounts in over 12,000 restaurants and shops, on the high street and online'
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First published.