Digital Veteran Card makes access to support easier
New digital version of paper card makes it quicker and easier for former service personnel to prove their status and access support.
Some 250,000 former service personnel across the country already have a paper HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, which enables them to access a range of support and services, from housing support through Op FORTITUDE, health services through the NHS and help in finding employment through job centres.
Photo © Crown Copyright 2014.
Indeed, the card can also be used to confirm that former service personnel qualify for the ‘Going forward into employment’ scheme, which helps them join the Civil Service, NHS or work in justice. What’s more, the Veteran Card is a useful means to getting both a Defence Discount Card – which offers hundreds of retails offers – and a Veteran Railcard, provided a third off the cost of most rail travel.
It will now be even easier to use the Veteran Card because the government are launching a digital version, to be available from next year.
Veterans will be able to download the digital version to their smartphone as soon as their application is accepted – meaning they’ll get it quicker than the paper card which must then be processed and posted.
The new digital service is part of wider government initiatives to make public services work better.
Peter Kyle MP, Science and Technology Secretary, says: ‘Our veterans have sacrificed so much for this country and we must make every effort to ensure veterans get the help and support they’re entitled to. That’s why we’re working with the Office for Veterans Affairs to speed up access to essential services, whether it’s housing or employment support by offering our heroes digital Veteran Cards which can be with them in a matter of minutes. This will cut the wait currently faced for physical copies, by offering a quick, convenient and straightforward route to get the support they deserve for serving our country.’
Alistair Carns MP, Minister for Veterans and People, adds: ‘This is a government committed to delivering for all those who serve and have served. I am deeply honoured to be responsible for ensuring our veterans get the support they need and deserve, not just at Remembrance but year-round. We’re turning words into action to improve life for every veteran.
‘That is why former serving personnel will soon have a choice on how to access and use their veteran card. Whether a physical card or a digital card on smartphones, we’re ensuring that all veterans will have easier access to support services and wider benefits including discounts and cheaper rail travel.’
Hannah Pearce, Director of Campaigns, Policy and Research at the Royal British Legion, says: ‘We welcome the introduction of the digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as we do any initiative that helps to improve access to services and benefits for the Armed Forces community. The fact that the digital ID card will enable veterans to access and use their card more quickly is a positive development.’
In related news:
