Service personnel may be eligible for various armed forces allowances based on specific circumstances, such as a new assignment or meeting certain service requirements. There are also a variety of helpful schemes and discount services available to service personnel and their families.
Read on to find out more about armed forces allowances and wider support available across the Armed Forces community.
Service personnel may be eligible for various armed forces allowances, including specific types of allowance for armed forces personnel based on their role, location, assignment, or family circumstances. Service personnel can determine their eligibility for armed forces pay and allowances, by consulting their Unit Personnel Office (UPO) and refer to JSP 752, which provides the most up-to-date information on armed forces pay and allowances and related benefits.
1. Discover My Benefits (DMB)
Discover My Benefits is a user-friendly tool designed for Defence personnel, their families, and prospective recruits. It helps Service members and civil servants identify available support, benefits, and armed forces allowances, including guidance on armed forces pay and eligibility for specific allowance for armed forces personnel.
2. MOD guide to expenses and allowances
The MOD produced a guide to expenses and allowances for Serving personnel and the support families could receive. This booklet holds a wealth of information to help both regular and reserve members of all three Services to better understand some of the most common expenses, armed forces allowances, and other provisions that are available as part of overall armed forces pay and allowances.
*Please note that this publication is not exhaustive but seeks to highlight some common expenses, allowances and provisions which personnel may encounter. Always refer to JSP 752 as it is the authoritative publication for armed forces pay and allowances.*
3. Flexible Service
Flexible Service allows Regular personnel of the Armed Forces to ask to temporarily work part time and/or restrict their separation from home base. It is the latest step in the journey following the introduction of the Flexible Working Policy in 2015 and may affect certain elements of armed forces pay and allowances, depending on working arrangements.
Implementation
This policy allows Regular members of the Armed Forces to seek:
- Part time working (reducing work routines);
- Restricted separation from home for no more than 35 days a year;
- Both.
Restrictions
Applications are limited in length to no more than 3 years continuously and no more than 4 years total in a 12 year rolling period. Applications are not guaranteed and operational capability will come first. While most benefits are unaffected, pay, pension and, in the case of part time working, leave are reduced proportionately, which may impact overall armed forces pay and allowances during the approved period.
Further Information
- Read a short summary of its terms and conditions in Homeport Spring ’19 (p.27)
- Watch an explanatory video produced by the MOD, and contact information should you have any questions.
- MOD has produced a ‘Discover My Benefits’ tool which allows you to explore the support available to you and your family.
- JSP 750 (Chapter 2) is also available via DII only for more information.
- ‘Flexible Working and You’ is a digital booklet produced by the MOD to provide Service personnel further information on the subject.
- Contact your Unit Personnel Office for advice.
- You can apply via JPA.
4. Forces Discounts
There are lots of online/high street armed forces discount offers available to you. Check out our offers and opportunities page for some examples and ideas. These discounts can complement your armed forces pay and allowances, helping service personnel and their families maximise their overall financial wellbeing.
There are lots of online/high street armed forces discount offers available to serving personnel and their families, including spouses and partners. Check out our offers and opportunities page for some examples and ideas.