Should you experience any difficulty arranging treatment, tell the War Pensions treatment Section . In certain circumstances, your doctor may be able to arrange for you to be admitted to a Ministry of Defence services hospital for the treatment of the disability for which you receive your war pension. If so, you will be eligible for help with travelling costs. Again, tell the people at the War Pensions Treatment Section. Contact details as above.

Equipment for mobility

If you need equipment as a result of the disability for which you receive a war pension, you will be able to get advice from the War Pensioners’ Welfare Service.

Equipment such as wheelchairs, artificial limbs, or home nursing equipment can be obtained from the NHS. Other aids may be available from the social services (see also EQUIPMENT).

Contact your War Pensioners’ Welfare Service Officer whose number is in the phone book or the local health authority covering your area or your social services department.

Voluntary organisations

There are many service organisations which help war disabled people and their families. They can give you support and advice on War Pensions and Allowances

BLESMA ( British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association) assists men and women who have lost their limbs through service in the armed forces or as a result of it. BLESMA provides permanent residential accommodation, gives advice on pensions and allowances, provides financial assistance to members and widows, runs a welfare visiting service, plans and organises rehabilitation programmes for amputees an helps in finding suitable employment. Tel: 0208 590 1124. Link to BLESMA website

The Burma Star Association provides a welfare service and gives free and confidential advice to all holders of the Burma Star. Tel: 0207 823 4273. Link to BSA website

Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society - Combat Stress cares for ex-members of the armed forces and the Merchant Navy who have psychiatric disabilities. The Society funds two treatment centres, cottages for married men and their families, a single men’s hostel and a veterans home. They also give help and advice to members. Link to Combat Stress

The Far East Prisoners of War and Internees Fund helps Far East prisoners of war and civilian internees of the Japanese 1941- 45 war and their dependents who are in need.
Tel: 01622 737124

The Joint Committee of the Order of St John and the British Red Cross society provides grants to ex-servicemen, ex-officers and their widows. It has long-standing connections with three paraplegic settlements. Tel: 020 7201 5131

National Federation of Far East Prisoner of War Clubs and Associations gives advice to ex-Far East prisoners of war and their widows, especially on pension matters.

The “Not Forgotten” Association provides holidays, television sets, licences, outings, excursions and entertainment for disabled ex-service people. Tel: 0207 730 2400. Link to Website

The Royal Air Forces Association gives advice and financial assistance to serving or ex-serving RAF personnel and their dependents through a network of branches. Each branch has an honorary welfare officer who will assess requests for help and complete the appropriate forms for assistance. The Association also runs a nursing home and three convalescent home together with supportive and sheltered housing schemes.
Tel: 020 8994 8504. Link to Website

The Royal Alfred Seafarer’s Society provides accommodation for ex-members of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy at three separate establishments in Surrey and Sussex, offering, respectively, sheltered housing, residential and nursing care. Tel: 020 8401 2889

The Royal British Legion and Officers’ Association exists to relieve distress and to give help and advice to those who have served in the Merchant Navy, Allied Civil Police Force, Home Guard and Voluntary Aid societies, their widows and dependents They also run residential and convalescent homes, support holidays for the severely disabled, and help with domestic security. Tel: 0207 973 7200. Link to Website

The Royal British Legion Scotland, The Earl Haig Fund Scotland and the Officers’ Association Scotland Branch help all ex– service people, their widows and their dependents, giving welfare and pensions advice and friendship. Tel: 0131 557 2782

The Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation gives financial aid to widows, orphans and dependents of servicemen and women. Tel: 0207 233 1894

St Dunstan’s: Established in 1915, St Dunstan's provide essential training and rehabilitation for ex-Service men and women who are now blinded due to war, age, accident or illness.
Tel: 020 7616 7958
Fax: 020 7262 6199
Link to St Dunstan's Website

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help) offers welfare help, advice and support to serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces, including partners, widows/widowers and dependent children. They also help obtain equipment and aids and provide specially designed permanent and holiday accommodation for disabled people, and residential care homes. Local branches nationwide and in Eire can raise grant aid through service charities and other sources. Contact local Branch (see local phone book) or the Welfare Department at Central Office.