1. Introduction

It’s important to register an additional need and/ or disability with the Chain of Command, so that they are aware that your family may require extra support sometimes. There are a number of organisations that can assist you or offer you support such as the MOD, Government, your Local Authority (LA), NHS and specific charities.

2. Armed Forces Support

Additional Needs / Disability Adaptations (ANDA) to Service Family Accommodation (SFA)

• If you or your family member has a disability which means that your SFA needs additional needs adaptions, you will need to submit medical evidence and/or an Occupational Therapy report depending on the adaptations required. More information can be found on the Pinnacle website – please note that there is a confidential email address to be used when sending sensitive medical information: HomeServicesConfidential@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk
• If you require a larger SFA to allow for the required adaptations to be done you will need to complete an e1132 form, accessible via Dii.
• Joint Service Publication (JSP) 464 Vol 1, Part 1, Section 4 also contains information about the process for applying for SFA if you or a family member has additional needs.

Armed Forces Carer’s Passport

Carer’s passports are well established and widely used across many organisations throughout the UK, including the Civil Service, and have proven to be an invaluable resource for employees with caregiving responsibilities. They are now available for our Armed Forces. 

It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do. 

If you are an Armed Forces carer, please speak to your manager about the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport and explore how it can support you. 

For more information on this and other support available visit GOV.UK, which includes reference to the Armed Forces Carers Passport Guidance and Implementation DIN 2024DIN01-126 and Armed Forces Families – Health and Wellbeing Hub.  

3. Government Support

Allowances

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

• is under 16;
• has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability.

SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years

Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25, from 1 September 2014.

Child Disability Payment – Scotland

If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible to claim the Child Disability Payment, which provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16 and their disability can be mental or physical. Social Security Scotland will pay Child Disability Payment until the child is 18.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

Claiming Benefits Overseas

If you are living overseas as part of a Service family, The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have stated:

“When Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced in April 2013 DWP also took the opportunity to amend residence and presence tests in Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA) and Carer’s Allowance (CA). For DLA and CA, like PIP, they made an exception for Serving members of Her Majesty’s Forces and members of their families, so that they should be classed as satisfying the habitual residence when stationed abroad.”

This means that you are able to continue claiming your benefit as if you were still living within the UK or apply for a new benefit as if you were living in the UK.

Carer’s Allowance

If you are 16 and over and care for someone for at least 35 hours a week you may be eligible to claim carer’s allowance.

Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is an alternative to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It is designed to provide financial support to Service personnel and Veterans who are seriously injured as a result of service to cover the extra costs they may have as a result of their injury. If you are eligible you will not be required to have an additional medical assessment and you will not be required to undergo regular re-assessments to maintain eligibility. AFIP applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and is not taxable or means tested.

4. Charities Support

The challenges of military life are greater when you or a member of your family has a disability or an additional need. There are many questions to consider: When will we move? Will the housing be suitable? Will the local school be able to offer adequate support? How far are the local hospitals? What is transport like? Will the same treatment, medication or services be available?

This guide intends to offer families with challenging issues a step towards finding some answers to these questions. It is by no means comprehensive, but aims to signpost some of the services and resources available, to help find the appropriate support and make life easier.

Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) – Additional Needs and Disability: A Guide for Service Families

The Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF) has just celebrated its 30th anniversary and exists to provide support for Service families who have a child or dependant who has additional needs or a disability, or if they are disabled themselves. It is a forum for families to raise issues of importance with the MOD and welfare providers about the factors unique to Service life and a way of ensuring that both children and adults with additional needs and/or disability have access to the best support available. FANDF is facilitated by SSAFA. Visit their website to view their list of resources and/or subscribe to their newsletter.

SSAFA Short Breaks

These adventures give children a break away from home, where they can gain independence, make friends and have fun. The breaks also give family left at home a rest, to spend time together and recharge their batteries.

National and Local Support Groups

There are a wide range of support groups for parents, carers and those living with additional needs and disabilities.

5. Giving a voice to Forces Families - Families Fighting ON

To mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the forum, the FANDF committee conducted a survey of issues faced by serving Forces families with additional needs and disability. This is the largest known survey into MOD families with additional needs or disabilities in the UK Armed Forces. The resulting report, Families Fighting On, provides a platform for the families to explain in their own words their lived experiences and the issues they face on a daily basis.