Advice for the armed forces community
This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales
Are you in the armed forces community
You're a member of the armed forces community if you're:
currently serving in the armed forces - either regular or reserve
a veteran who served in the armed forces - either regular or reserve
a member of the Merchant Navy who served on a commercial vessel in support of legally defined UK military operations
a dependant - for example, the partner or child of someone who's currently serving in the armed forces, a veteran or a member of the Merchant Navy.
Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) is now closed.
Find more information about ASAP closing.
Get advice
You can get free, impartial, confidential advice on a wide range of topics from Citizens Advice Scotland. Find out how to get advice.
Other organisations
There are several organisations that can offer advice and support to members of the armed forces community.
Poppyscotland
Poppyscotland provides help and support to the armed forces community in Scotland.
It can provide tailored help with:
grants and funding
advice
mobility
housing
mental health.
You can find out how to get help on the Poppyscotland website.
Legion Scotland
Legion Scotland offers free and confidential advice and representation to any veteran or serving member of the armed forces to pursue their possible entitlement to a war disablement pension or a claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. You don't have to be a member of Legion Scotland.
You can find out how to get help on the Legion Scotland website.
Scottish government
There's information about support for the armed forces community on mygov.scot, including on:
health and well-being - for example, veterans' right to priority NHS treatment and access to healthcare support
housing - help finding a place to live
funding for education and training - help to pay for qualifications
employment - help to find a new job or develop new skills.
Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
SAIL is a UK-wide Citizens Advice service dedicated to serving and veteran Royal Navy personnel and their families. They offer free benefits advice and support.
You can find out more on the SAIL website.
Unforgotten Forces
Veterans aged 60 or over and their families living in Scotland can access services and support from Unforgotten Forces, a partnership of armed forces and civilian charities.
Unforgotten Forces services for older veterans cover areas such as:
advice
access to healthcare
social isolation and respite
creative activities and events for those in care settings.
Find out more about Unforgotten Forces on the Age Scotland website.
SSAFA – the armed forces charity
SSAFA provides lifelong support to anyone who is serving in, or is a veteran of, the armed forces. It provides a wide range of practical and emotional support, including welfare advice, housing and healthcare support. SSAFA is an independent charity and not part of the military chain of command.
The SSAFA Forcesline is a free, confidential helpline and email service that can be contacted from anywhere in the world. Find out how to contact Forcesline on the SSAFA website.
RFEA - the armed forces employment charity
RFEA provides careers advice and job and training opportunities for service leavers and veterans. You can register with RFEA and they will contact you directly.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is a UK charity for veterans' mental health. They help former servicemen and -women with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Veterans UK
Veterans UK is part of the UK Ministry of Defence and is responsible for information about:
the Veterans Welfare Service - which provides one-to-one support to veterans.
Veterans Assist
Veterans Assist is part of Veterans Scotland. It collects into one place a wide range of information about the veterans community and veterans support organisations.
Veterans First Point
Veterans First Point is a free service to help veterans and their families adjust to civilian life. It's part of the NHS in Scotland and is run by veterans and clinicians. The help it can offer includes:
peer support workers - who can help veterans and their families adjust to civilian life
specialist mental health and well-being support - advice and treatment
drop-in centres across Scotland - for socialising, meeting other veterans and accessing general support and advice.
Veterans Gateway
Veterans Gateway is a UK-wide website that aims to be the first point of contact for veterans and their families across the UK and abroad. It provides information and links to a wide range of specialist organisations, providing advice about:
housing - for example, finding a home or advice about homelessness
employment - for example, finding work after you leave the armed forces
living independently - for example, help with mobility or care issues
mental well-being - for example, advice about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or help with bereavement
physical health - for example, medical discharge or accessing support for service related illnesses
families and communities - for example, help with family troubles or how to access support groups.
Self-help information is available on the website. It offers UK-wide, Scottish-only and local information.
Advice is also available from a team of expert advisers by phone, email or live webchat. This help is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Defence Medical Welfare Service
The Defence Medical Welfare Service is an independent charity that provides medical welfare to those who have operated, and continue to operate, on the front line.
Fares4Free
Fares4Free supports veterans and their families throughout Scotland with transport to essential, recreational and therapeutic appointments that they otherwise would be unable to attend.