When a service person leaves HM Armed Forces, their family will also experience their own transition into civilian life. Family members of Service Personnel, including partners, spouses, children, parents, carers, and friends are affected by life in the Armed Forces and face unique challenges when transitioning.
While your relationship or connection to the Service Person might affect your eligibility for some support provisions, you can still reach out to organisations, as they may be able to advise you on what support you might be able to receive in your individual circumstance.
Whether you are facing transition now or planning for your future, the guidance below can help you know where to begin and what to expect. Transitioning cannot always be planned, and it is useful to be prepared if the process begins sooner than expected.
As you transition out of the Forces and into civilian life, it might be helpful to consider housing, finances, and mental and physical healthcare, to name a few areas.
Additionally, the Royal British Legion is here to support you and your family to make your transition and resettlement as smooth as possible.
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Telephone overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080
Calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks
Email: [email protected]
If you have never needed to manage your own healthcare or if you’re not sure what services might be helpful to you, you may not know where to begin. The information below can help you figure out where to start and what you will need to do.
Registering for NHS healthcare in the UK
If you are not familiar with the process of registering with an NHS GP or dentist, the guidance linked below will help you figure out where to begin, depending on which UK nation you are living in.
Learn more about registering with an NHS GP or dentist here on the RBL website.
Your mental health and wellbeing
Anyone in the Armed Forces community, including the family members of Service Personnel, can experience times of difficulty with their mental health. Mental health support does not have to be focused on or related to combat-related experiences, but can help you through a range of difficult periods in your life. If you feel that your mental health is affecting you or your loved one's wellbeing, there is support available to help you.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
If you are living with a physical or mental health condition or disability, you may be eligible to receive financial support through the PIP or ADP Schemes. The payments are provided to help with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability such as adaptations, aids, travel and much more.
If you live in England, Northern Ireland or Wales, you can make a claim for PIP. Serving members of HM Armed Forces and their families are treated as habitual residents in Great Britain when serving and stationed abroad.
Learn more about PIP, the eligibility criteria, and how to apply here on the RBL website.
If you live in Scotland, you can make a claim for ADP. If you are overseas as a family member of a member of the UK Armed Forces or civil servant, your eligibility will be treated as though you continue to meet the residence and presence conditions.
Find out more about ADP, the eligibility criteria and how to apply here on the RBL website.
If you have been living in Service Accommodation, you will have to arrange your own housing when you transition out of the Armed Forces. This can be a daunting time, but there are a range of information guides and virtual sessions available to help you learn about the process.
Civilian Housing briefs
The MOD’s Defence Transition Service (DTS) host virtual Civilian Housing briefs that both serving personnel and their loved ones can attend, to share information and insight in to housing options. These sessions cover information such as privately renting, buying a house through the Forces Help to Buy, affordable home ownership schemes, and social housing.
Registering as homeless before discharge
If you are worried that your loved one who is leaving service might become homeless within 8 weeks of leaving service, they may be able to register as “homeless” with their local authority before officially signing off.
It may take some time to adjust to the increased cost and independence when transitioning out of the Armed Forces. It is important to understand what you are responsible for paying, and how to stay on top of these costs. The guidance below can help you get started.
What is ‘council tax’ or ‘domestic rates’ and how do I pay it?
Council tax is an annual fee that your local council charges for the services it provides. The fee can also be paid monthly so it is always best to check with your local council.
Some people are exempt from council tax or may be eligible for a discount.
Council tax can pay for a variety of local services, including:
If you live in Northern Ireland, the equivalent taxes are called ‘rates’ or ‘domestic rates.’
Find out more about rates and how to pay them on the nidirect website.
Paying for utilities – water, gas, electricity, wi-fi bills and standing charges
As part of your budget, you will need to pay for certain utilities such as water, electricity, Wi-Fi and phone bills. The guidance below can help you figure out how to register with a provider and what you will need to pay for.
Visit the MoneyHelper website to find out more about:
A standing charge is a fixed daily rate that every household must pay for gas and electricity, and will be itemised separately from your “usage” on your bills. Your standing charge will be different depending on where you live.
Learn more about the price cap, standing charges, and unit rates by region on the Ofgem website.
Some tenancies agreements will include the price of bills in the rent payments.
Find out more about when rent payments include utility bills on the Shelter England website.
Find out more about when rent payments include utility bills on the Shelter Scotland website.
Paying rent
If you decide to rent a space to live in, you will need to regularly pay rent.
Learn more about paying rent on the Shelter website relevant to the nation you are renting in:
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can use the Housing Rights website to find out about deposits, rent and fees.
Read information tailored for those living in Northern Ireland on the Housing Rights website.
If you live in Scotland, you can use the GOV.SCOT website to find more information on privately renting.
Read information for those living in Scotland on the GOV.SCOT website.
Service charges
Some tenancies with communal areas may also come with service charges, which you will be expected to pay. This payment contributes towards the costs of maintaining the building and shared areas such as:
Learn more about service charges on the Shelter England website.
We have a variety of guidance to support you on your employment journey as a family member of a currently serving, transitioning, or ex-service person.
Op ASCEND: employment support for veterans and their families
Op Ascend is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) programme which is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.
The programme provides veterans and their families with opportunities to gain meaningful employment. This includes support with CV writing, interview preparation, employment fairs and advice on setting up a business.
It's never too late to learn more about credit and debt, and while transitioning out of your time in the Armed Forces can be a great time to make the most of the opportunities around you.
If you are struggling to manage our Benefits, Debt and Money Advice (BDMA) team provides free, confidential advice and support to appeal benefits decisions and give advice for those in unmanageable debt.
Managing your personal finances can be a challenge for anyone. The guidance below may be a help to get started.
MoneyHelper is a government-backed service which provides guidance on a range of money matters including:
Opening or managing a bank account
If you are unsure about how to pick the best bank account for you or want to learn more about how to use your bank account to make payments and manage online banking, the MoneyHelper website has a variety of guidance to help you make decisions.
Learn more about banking and payments on the MoneyHelper website.
Getting a credit card
If you are considering applying for a credit card but want to get a better understanding, there is guidance available. Credit cards can be a secure a flexible way to pay for items and services if payments are made on time, however they can lead to debt if payments are late or missed.
Read ‘A simple guide to credit cards’ on the MoneyHelper website.
Pensions
Pensions are used to help you save for retirement. There are many different types of pensions and understanding how they work will help you to decide what you want to do with yours.
Additionally, if you are self-employed, you will need to know how to start your pension.
If you are experiencing a transition after losing a loved one, you may need additional support and advice.
The charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, has written an article which discusses the process that occurs after a military death with some suggestions of actions that Armed Forces families may want to consider in the aftermath.
Read guidance for those who are bereaved here on the RBL website.
Find out about financial support available to those who are bereaved here on the RBL website.
Learn about the Purple Book bereavement guide on the GOV.UK website.
Scotty's Little Soldiers
The charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports the bereaved children and young people of service personnel, up to the age of 25. The charity provides the children and young people with support and guidance through their childhood in addition to respite opportunities and 1:1 professional bereavement support.
Read guidance on the Scotty’s Little Soldiers website on what happens after a military death.
Veterans Welfare Service
The Veterans Welfare Service can provide advice to bereaved family members of service personnel.
Find out more about the Veterans Welfare Service and how to get in touch with their team on GOV.UK.
The Ripple Pond
The Ripple Pond is a charity that supports adult family members of people who are physically or psychologically affected by their time in the Armed Forces. They believe in chosen family, and will support anyone over the age of 18, including partners, siblings, parents, friends and carers.
The Ripple Pond supports people through:
Your local council
Once you have picked where you want to settle down after leaving the Services, visit your local council’s website and use their search function to look up “veteran” or “Armed Forces” to see if your local council provide specialist services for people in the community.
The options available might range from area to area, so it is best to check with your local council.
