Using anyour HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as a service leaver
Guidance
Find onout usagemore ofabout the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.Card, including how to apply for one and what the card can do for you.
- From:
- Ministry of Defence and Office for Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- 15 December 2023
- Last updated
-
930FebruaryApril20242025 — See all updates
TheWhat HMthe Armedcard Forcescan Veterando Cardfor you
TheIt’s HMthe Armedquickest Forces Veteran Card is a quick and easyeasiest way to prove your veteran status asand amaintain veteran.your service identity.
It’sYou acan recognitionuse ofthe card to:
- vote in UK elections
- prove your
serviceidentityandoncanBritishbeAirwaysonedomesticofflights - access the
waysmanythatservices,helpsdiscountsyouandmaintainspecialaofferslinkthatwithorganisationsyourmakeserviceavailableidentity.to veterans
ApplyHow forto get a Veteran Cardcard

If youyou’ve have 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 byfor clickingone the button below.online.
WaysExamples toof usewhen ayou Veterancan Carduse the card
ThereThe card can be useful any time you need to prove your veteran status. Some examples are manyoutlined servicesbelow.
Voting availablein UK elections
You can use your veteran card to ex-membersprove ofyour identity when voting in UK elections.
Looking for work
You can use the armedcard forces.to:
-
Toaccess employment schemes, such as: - claim National Insurance contributions relief for your first civilian employer after service
- access
thesebenefitsservicessupport
Managing someyour organisations,health
You includingcan charities,use maythe needcard toto:
- register
verifywiththatyouryouGPareas aveteran.veteran - access
ThisOpisCOURAGE,totheensuregovernment-backedthatNHSonlymentalthosehealthwhosupportarepathwayeligiblefor veterans - access
servicesOpspecificallyRESTORE, the government-backed NHS physical health and well-being service for veteransand(GPtheirreferralfamilies.required)
Getting discounts
AsYou can use the card to:
- get a
veteranDefenceyouDiscountcanCard,proveprovidingyouraccessstatustoindiscountsmanyfromways,over 12,000 restaurants andanretailersHMon the high street and online - access armed forces schemes, such as the Armed Forces
VeteranFreeCardSwimmingisSchemeainsimpleWaleswayand free or subsidised access todogymsthis.Forfromexample,someyouEnglishneedcouncils - get discounted entry to
verifycertainyourmuseumsveteranandstatusattractions
Making whentravel you:easier and cheaper
You can use the card to:
- get a
Veterans’Veterans Railcard, entitling youto a DefenceaDiscountVeteransService CardOyster photocard, to,claimofferingdiscountsfreeintraveloverat12,000anyrestaurantstimeandshops,the highLondon’sstreet andbuses,onlineaccesstubes,specifictrams,offersDLR,duringandspecialOvergroundevents,services,suchas well as free travel onpublicmosttransportNationaltoRailandservicesfromwithinremembranceeventsontheweekendofRemembranceSundayLondon
ThereYou arecan otherget servicesa andVeterans governmentOyster initiativesphotocard availableif toyou:
- receive
veteransongoingwherepaymentsyourunderVeteranthe WarCardPensionsmayScheme inbeyouruseful.Examplesnameof(thisservicesincludesandwidows,governmentwidowersinitiativesandfordependants),veteransor- receive
include:EmploymentGuaranteedinitiativesIncomesuchPaymentasunderGreatthe ArmedPlaceForcestoCompensationWorkScheme,inGoingyourForwardnameinto(thisEmployment,includesAdvancewidows,intowidowersJusticeStepdependants),intoor- you
Health.Nationallive inInsurancea LondonReliefborough andforareyoureligibleemployerforina 60+yourLondonfirstOystercivilianphotocard or FreedomrolePassGetting
afterhousingservicesupportYou
forcanupusetothe12cardmonths.to:Housing- access
supportOpandFORTITUDE,guidancethefromgovernment-backedthesupportOppathwayFORTITUDEforteam.
Exemptionveteransfromexperiencingahomelessness- access
localtheconnectionVeteranstestNominationwhenScheme,applyingaforprogrammesocialthathousinghelps(ifveteransyouinwereneedservingfindinrentedthesocialregularhousing- claim
forcesexemptionatfromanyatimelocalinconnectionthetest5whenyearsapplyingbeforeforyoursocialapplication).housingFind
Foroutfurthermoreguidance,aboutseefindingSocialahousingcivilianallocationshomeguidanceas a veteran.SupportGetting
andsupportservicesYou
suchcanasuse thePolice,cardProbationto:- accessing
ServiceOpandNOVA, thePrisongovernment-backedServicesupportaspathwaypartforofveteransOpwhoNOVA.are in contact with the justice system in England
- receive
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Update history
2025-04-30 12:14
Updated page to list new use cases.
2024-02-09 15:25
Added image of sample Veteran Card.
2024-02-07 11:30
Added lines on local connection test exemption for social housing allocation.
2024-01-28 00:01
Page updated to reflect card application process is now live.
2024-01-17 13:53
Added bullet ‘get a Defence Discount Service Card, to claim discounts in over 12,000 restaurants and shops, on the high street and online’
2023-12-15 16:35
First published.