(Issued 13th December 2024, Updated 2nd February 2025)
On 12 December 2024, the Government announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS). This enables those impacted by the Ban while serving in HM Armed Forces, between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000, to apply for recognition payments.
The LGBT FRS was developed to meet Lord Etherton’s LGBT Veterans Independent Review (IR) Report Reparation Recommendations R28 and R29, acknowledged by Government on 12th December 2023. These are 2 of the 49 recommendations made by the IR, 47 being non-financial reparations. Reparations measures are accessible at LGBT veterans: support and next steps – GOV.UK
This guide is intended as a short FWP summary for overview of the Government’s FR Scheme, and to provide advice and feedback on the application process. It is a living document that will be updated as more, amended or new information is received by FWP.
Full Scheme details and rules should be consulted before applying for the scheme payments and these are provided in the Gov.uk documents listed and linked below.
How to Apply: LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_guide_-_How_to_apply_.pdf
Scheme Rules: LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_-_scheme_rules.pdf (v2 14.1.25)
FAQs: LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_-_FAQs.pdf
The FR Scheme opened for Application at 0900 GMT 13th December 2024, and closes at 2359 on 12thDecember 2026. No applications will be accepted after the closing date.
Full details can be found at: Veterans of the LGBT Ban: Financial Recognition Scheme – GOV.UK
Please get in touch with us if you would like advice or support with your application. Where requested, we will connect you with a same-sex FWP Veterans Community Worker
Trigger Warning. Please be aware that completing the application process, including reading the scheme rules, requires recounting experiences that may cause distress. We would recommend preparing your narrative(s) in a document separate to the Application Form beforehand. This ensures you retain a copy, but also means when ready to apply, your document can be drag and dropped into the online Application, or pasted or uploaded, as directed in the application process. If you are anxious or have any concerns, please consider completing your narrative details in company, or reach out for support.
You can contact us at FWP Get in Touch or speak with your regional FWP VCW. For details of who they are, see Veteran Community Team. We will pair requests for support with same-sex team members where requested.
Make a Considered Application. Please don’t feel pressurised to rush an application. Information you might want to include in your submission might not be at the forefront of your mind at the time. Conversations at a later date with others about such schemes, often jog memories and revive details you may have wished to include. Allow yourself time to create a comprehensive and impactful statement. Once the application is submitted, there is only a 2-week window to make any edits or additions. We do recognise that any delays in submission mean longer to wait before any possible process to payment, however, the detail could make a difference in the level of that payment.
Please chat to a member of our team if you would like help to submit your application. RBL also has helpline support on 0808 802 8080.
FWP has been working with a number of legal experts and they are also willing to support with advice on application statements or questions should you wish. Some of these are on a pro-bono basis. See Legal Advice below.
It isn’t necessary to provide any evidence with an Impact Payment application. However, FWP recommends you spend time to provide a strong account of the impacts you endured, before you submit your application, supported by evidence where you have it. The scheme only considers impacts whilst in service, but this doesn’t just mean periods of investigation, detention, charges or dismissal. The impacts of the ban in service include, for instance, the impacts and consequences of any prejudice, discrimination, presumption and fear, caused by the ban culture during your time in service.
Although support from FWP, another charity, a legal adviser, a friend, or anyone else may very well help, personal accounts using your own emotions empower the very real lived-experiences and consequences that only you can know. The Panel should be able to understand the emotional, physical and mental health impacts you endured in service, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just tell it how you tell it.
The sooner an application is submitted the sooner the outcomes will clearly be known, especially for the Impact Payment, which needs to go through the more intricate Independent Panel route. Process to completion will depend on many factors but we understand the FRS team are currently forecasting a period of around 4 months following application submission. When you wish or feel ready to submit, can only be your call.
Note: A separate Legal Advice Leaflet, being provided by Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP, will be made available and promulgated during the first week of February.
The LGBT FR Scheme is not the scheme those who were impacted by the ban deserve. It is not a compensation scheme, it is a voluntary payment scheme that the Government has intended ‘to recognise those who served under and suffered during their service as a consequence of the Ban’, after accepting the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review (IR).
We understand that legal challenges against the scheme would be problematic, not least due to its voluntary payment nature or time-expired legal processes, but for a range of other reasons too. However, FWP is aware of misleading advice and rumours that may lead veterans to seek legal action where such undertakings may not have their best interests at heart. It is nonetheless, everyone’s individual right to seek independent legal advice should they choose to.
FWP has also been working with RBL, Irwin Mitchell (IM), and Latham and White (L&W), to provide a multi-sourced approach to advice on the legal aspects of the FRS Scheme and individual rights, to help support enquiries and advise on stronger narratives for Impact Payments. RBL, IM and BBK have expertise in the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), including in regard to trauma, serious injury, legal and financial matters. Latham and White has international experience in LGBTQ+ and other human rights causes.
A Short Guide to the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme and Your Legal Rights has been produced by BBK, in partnership with FWP, and is available as a pdf leaflet at Bolt Burdon Kemp or from Fighting With Pride’s website HERE. Generic advice and guidelines regarding FRS application and other reparations is also available on the FWP website at here.
These organisations have expertise in the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), except Latham and White who have international experience in LGBTQ+ and other human rights causes. They each have a good understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBT+ Veterans community and the support of individuals lacking the financial means to otherwise access legal advice or support. BBK is producing a Leaflet in partnership with FWP as A Short Guide to the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme and Your Legal Rights. We will advise of its publication and accessibility as soon as it is available. Date of publication is anticipated in the first week of February. BBK will also offer pro bono advice.
RBL offers all veterans access to pro-bono advice directly or through Veterans UK and has a telephone helpline. Latham and White is currently considering ways for a non-military pathway connecting individuals to a network of solicitors offering pro-bono advice, and Irwin Mitchell offers its expert support and AFCS experience at a fixed cost for individuals seeking advice on appeal.
Note. A Defence Gateway login/registration is required first for confirmation of service identity, access to the FRS App and for payments to be processed.
It is best to get this account set up early to prevent any log-in delays when ready to apply. Setting up a Gateway account can be frustrating. Some individuals have had no issues and quick responses, others have had set-up issues and delayed responses. Delays may be caused by the number of applications in process at the time and any need to search for records to verify service. Help or support in registering for a Gateway account is available at Defence Gateway Helpdesk
Applicants can use any browser to access the Defence Gateway and their application on the Financial Recognition Scheme App. If having access difficulties, some applicants have found switching to a different browser has made a difference, such as Google, Chrome or Edge. If you are setting up a new account make sure it is via the FRS link not the Defence Gateway directly.
I don’t have a Defence Gateway Account
Use the LGBT FRS Link to register for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme App. This step allows the FRS administrators to verify service identity and grant access to Defence Gateway and the FRS App, from where you can complete your FRS application.
This stage will ask for name when serving and name today (optional). This is because a search of records will need to be in the name recorded whilst in service. It will also ask for:
Service number (optional); Date of birth; National Insurance number; Contact details; Consent to the FRS accessing access your MOD-held personal information, required to confirm service identity; Confirmation Statement, declaring you served during the period 27 July 1967 to 11th January 2000.
Link to Register for FRS: Welcome – Defence Gateway
Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications or if service records need to be retrieved from the MOD archive. After confirming service details the FRS administrators will send you a check email and details about your Defence Gateway Account including a Username.
I already have Defence Gateway Account
Log in to Defence Gateway and directly access the FRS Application.
Further information:
LGBT veterans: support and next steps – GOV.UK
FWP Website www.fightingwithpride.org.uk
Usernames. Ensure you use your Username to log on, not your email address. A Username will have been provided on confirmation of your Defence Gateway account.
Application Submissions. The DD Payment is actioned by MOD, the Impact Payment is actioned by the Independent Panel (IP). They follow different pathways but both are applied for from the same form. Assume the IP does not see any information provided through any other resource, such as a DD application or any evidence you submitted to the Etherton Review. Your service identity for accessing the FRS is checked as part of the Defence Gateway registration process.
Defence Gateway including the FRS App can only have one named account in existence per person. This means for an online application, if you are applying for a DD Payment and an Impact Payment, the applications should be submitted together but no more than 2 weeks apart. Once one payment scheme application is submitted, the account will only be accessible for amendments or additions for 2 weeks.
If you therefore apply for a D&D payment and later realise you want to apply for an Impact Payment, the course of action would depend on the time between the two:
a. If within 2 weeks of submitting the D&D application, simply update your application within the online app to include an application for the Impact Payment,
b. If later than 2 weeks after applying for D&D, you would need to request a hard copy application form and complete the Impact Payment application that way – there’s no need to wait until one application has been completed.
If you apply and are ultimately awarded an Impact Payment, or not, but hadn’t been able to include facts or evidence that you became aware of after the 2-week window, that may have affected the Panel’s decision, you can use the Appeal process to submit the new information for consideration
FRS App. The Financial Recognition Scheme has a dedicated App, which can only be accessed through the Defence Gateway FRS platform. The App has been designed so that applicants can check the progress of their application at any time, and it will be used to communicate with applicants directly. We recommend using the online application process. Veterans of the LGBT Ban: Financial Recognition Scheme – GOV.UK
Saving Application and Supporting Evidence. The application saves when you go to NEXT Page or at the end of a section, but we recommend keeping copy as you go, and you will be invited to download a copy when you submit your application online. Please save a copy when it is complete.
Reverse Burden of Proof. Under the LGBT FR Scheme, a reverse burden of proof will apply. This means that the burden of proof will lie with the MOD rather than the applicant to determine whether a fact or matter occurred. See Scheme Rules for further information.
You don’t have to provide any evidence for the Impact Payment but any information you can provide will help the Independent Panel to better understand your circumstances in their assessment of Impact Levels.
Hard Copy Applications. The Financial Recognition Scheme also offers the option of submitting a hard copy application by post for those who are not comfortable with using the online application process or don’t have access to it. Please call the Veterans UK Helpline, who will be able to provide you with a copy of the application form, together with a return envelope. Remember to take a copy of your completed application form, and only send copies of supporting evidence, not originals.
The contact details for the Veterans UK Helpline are:
Freephone (UK only) 0808 1914 2 18 (Normal service 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday)
Overseas Telephone +44 1253 866 043 (Normal service 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday)
(Email [email protected])
Wills. We strongly encourage everyone to have an up-to-date Will in place. In regards to the FR Scheme, it means your ‘estate’ can receive payment in accordance with your wishes, should your death occur after the application has already been submitted but before a decision or determination on the application is reached. Following due diligence checks, the application can continue being processed for payment, in accordance with your wishes. There are a number of charities that offer free basic wills, usually in anticipation of a voluntary donation within the Will.
Types of FR. The scheme comprises of two types of Financial Recognition payments with a total of £75M set aside for payments. The two FR types will be run concurrently.
LGBT Dismissed or Discharged (DD) Payment. This payment will be available to those who were dismissed or administratively discharged, including Officers who were ordered or instructed to resign or retire by their respective Service Board, solely on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity during the Ban. A financial provision has been set aside of £50M for LGBT DD Payments.
LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment £50,000
LGBT Impact Payment. This payment will be available to those who fulfil the criteria in one of the levels (Levels 1 to 3) as outlined in the LGBT Impact Payment eligibility criteria. Applicants eligible for DD Payment can also apply for Impact Payments. A financial provision has been set aside of £25M for LGBT Impact Payments.
| LGBT Impact Payment – Levels | Financial Recognition Tariff Range |
| Level 1 | £1,000 to £5,000 |
| Level 2 | £5,001 to £10,000 |
| Level 3 | £10,001 to £20,000 |
Eligibility
The LGBT FR Scheme is open to any individual who served during the period of the Ban and who meets the eligibility criteria for a LGBT FR payment. This includes veterans* and serving personnel who served within the period of the Ban (1967 to Jan 2000) who meet the eligibility criteria.
Applications can be completed on the individual’s behalf by their legal representative. Legal Representative means a person authorised by an individual to act on their behalf where they are not able to do so themselves. this could be someone who has Power of Attorney (or an overseas equivalent), someone nominated in a letter written by the applicant, or a legal professional such as a solicitor. The Legal Representative is not eligible to submit an application on behalf of a deceased veteran who did not apply before they died.
* A Veteran is defined as any individual who served within HM Armed Forces for at least one day.
Note: The LGBT FR Scheme is not open to any individual who did not serve during the period of the Ban and does not meet the eligibility criteria of the type of FR payment which they applied for. The Scheme is not open to any relatives, family members or persons of significance of a veteran who has died but did serve during the period of the Ban.
LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payments (DD): Anyone who was dismissed or administratively discharged based solely on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, from 27 July 1967 to 11 January 2000. This includes personnel who were medically discharged and Officers who were ordered or instructed to resign or retire by their respective Service Board (a formal administrative process), solely on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity during the Ban. DD Payment does not include those individuals who left at the end of their contract, or who purchased their discharge as of right, or who opted not to extend their contracts, or who submitted their notice to terminate their contracts. These individuals can apply for a LGBT Impact Payment.
Note. If you submitted a request to terminate your service but aren’t sure how it was actually processed, we recommend applying for a DD Payment. Your service records will be checked for eligibility anyway, so MOD will establish whether you qualify or not. If you aren’t sure and don’t apply, you could miss out on a payment you might have actually qualified for.
LGBT Impact Payment: The applicant has to have served in HM Armed Forces between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000. The applicant has to have submitted an application which describes the impact which the Ban had on them personally during the period of their service in HM Armed Forces up to the point they left service.
This includes anyone who/whose:
(1) Suffered mental or physical harm (including physical and sexual assault) related to the Ban.
(2) Was investigated by either the Service Police or their Chain of Command in relation to the Ban.
(3) Lived experience suffered because of the culture within the Services which was directly related to the Ban.
(4) Experienced any bullying/harassment, verbal or physical abuse which was directly related to the Ban.
(5) (6) Felt pressured to leave HM Armed Forces because of the Ban. Was subject to invasive investigations by the Service Police, including off base surveillance, outing of their sexuality or gender identity to their family and friends.
(7) Who was imprisoned due to an offence related to the Ban.
(8) Was forced to undergo medical tests or ‘treatments’ which were related to the Ban.
The level of the LGBT Impact Payment will be determined by an Independent Panel (IP) based on the details submitted within the application describing what the applicant experienced during their service in HM Armed Forces, up to the last day in service.
Applications can be supported by any evidence supplied by the applicant and any evidence which can be found within service records. See Reverse Burden of Proof.
Reverse Burden of Proof. Under the LGBT FR Scheme, a reverse burden of proof will apply. This means that the burden of proof will lie with the MOD rather than the applicant to determine whether a fact or matter occurred. Unless the MOD finds evidence to contradict the reported events or facts stated by the applicant, the MOD will accept that the facts or experiences reported took place if, on a balance of probabilities, they are more likely to have occurred than not.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Income Tax Exemption. It is anticipated that the required legislation will be in place to deliver the income tax exemption in early 2025.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Benefits Exemptions. The DWP has agreed to the introduction of an indefinite capital disregard of the LGBT FR Scheme payment for means tested benefits. It is anticipated that the disregard will be introduced in spring 2025. Once the disregard is in place, applicants should retain their FR Scheme decision or determination letters as they may be asked for such by the DWP.
Appeal Process
The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Appeals process will allow individuals to challenge or request a review of decisions if they believe they were incorrect according to certain criteria. Applications will be reviewed by an Appeal Board, on a case-by-case basis. Further information is included in the Scheme Rules:LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_-_scheme_rules.pdf
FR Scheme Contact: Questions or queries regarding the LGBT Financial Recognitions Scheme should be addressed to:
Email: LGBT [email protected]
Post: Freepost LGBT FR SCHEME
Fighting With Pride will provide advice, guidance and support. Contact us here Get in Touch
FRS – gov.uk Guide. Rules and FAQs
Full and detailed information is contained in the the following MOD documents:
LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Guide (Version 1 December 2024)
LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_guide_-_How_to_apply_.pdf
FR Scheme Guidance. A straightforward 16-page guide containing information on eligibility criteria, scheme payments, how to apply, supporting documents, help to complete an application, the appeal process, HMRC and DWP exemptions, and payments.
LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Rules (Version 2 14th January 2025)
Scheme Rules: LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_-_scheme_rules.pdf
FR Scheme Rules Contents
A more detailed 57-page document providing more detail:
Part 1. Background, Definitions, HMRC and DWP Exemptions
Part 2. Eligibility, Types of FR – Dismissed Discharged and Impact, Underspend
Part 3. The Application Process, Representatives, Terminally Ill, and Death post-application submissions, Application Methods, Supporting Information and Evidence, New or Changed Information.
Part 4. Processing applications, applications, accepting payment, Independent Panel, Suspension Rules, and payment.
Part 5. Appeal Process
Part 6. Governance and Additional Scheme Rules
LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme – Frequently asked questions
LGBT_Financial_Recognition_Scheme_-_FAQs.pdf
Top frequently asked questions for the LGBT Financial Recognition (FR) Scheme.
If you missed the scheme’s announcement and the Lord Etherton Report debate in the House of Commons on December 12, 2024, you can watch it HERE.
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