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HM Armed Forces Veteran card

Happy Jack said:
Not wishing to denigrate but if a person pays the same taxes as Armed Forces personnel why should they get worse NHS access.
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It’s a myth mate we don’t get anything extra. In fact we get less state pension as we paid less NI because we had, well when I served from 78 to 2007, our own dentist and hospitals. No one told us about this.
 
Andy602 said:
Applied for mine yesterday, managed in the end but was a nightmare !
Also I served twice but could only put one period of service on the card !
Not sure if it'll actually be of any use but seeing as the scheme has only cost £45 million and taken 10 years so far I thought I may as well have one :)
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Went looking for that info as £45m to just set up a card seems ludicrous. As I thought its not as sensational a headline -the £45m was to digitise 13 million personnel records so not just to set up the card.

If it means that veterans can get better access to welfare then all well and good.
 
KJA said:
Because we've literally put life and limb on the line for this country. Not too mention all the other crap that comes with being in the Forces.
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The previous post by Xjacket says it's a myth that ex service personnel get preferential NHS treatment. It did sound a bit odd to tell the truth.
 
As has been said ..... they should have put the money to better use - helping veterans who need it. Rather than having another card in the wallet.
I had an ID card for 24 years, not in any rush to get another one...
 
I was mad when I joined, mad when I left. Still mad now. I don't need a card to prove this and any extra benefits and help that come with being a card carrier will either be insignificant or none at all when it comes to the crunch.🤪
 
Happy Jack said:
Not wishing to denigrate but if a person pays the same taxes as Armed Forces personnel why should they get worse NHS access.
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There's also some iffy schemes to give discounts to teachers and medical staff* which is worse especially in the context of strikes.

*
Why and who is paying for that?
 
Blue light card is wheres it's at if your wanting discounts.
I believe you should not get preference over any other individual when it comes to NHS matters. NHS is knackered anyway.
Who needs a card to remind them of what they once was?
I have my photos, memories and friends to remind me plus my knackered knees lol of my time in uniform.
Plus the card needs to be renewed after a few years oh yeah you need to pay for that privilege.
 
To the Op its well worth having my son in Law and daughter use it all the time ,I find it Strange to be a veteran at 23 though
 
"GOV.UK One Login is new. It does not work with all government accounts or services yet, for example Government Gateway or Universal Credit."
Well isn't that par for the bloody course.
Not sure there's any real benefit to me though. The DDS card never seemed overly useful (again, to me).
 
I've seen quite a lot of online stores mention they have forces discount. I expect a veteran card could be used.
 
Xjacket said:
“Are you ex military” was sat next to a bloke in Grantham who was asked and he said “Yes I was RAF“ I looked at him and said “So you didn’t want to join the military then”? When over his head like the Red Arrows
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Always nicer to Check-In than Dig-In.
 
ESpy said:
"GOV.UK One Login is new. It does not work with all government accounts or services yet, for example Government Gateway or Universal Credit."
Well isn't that par for the bloody course.
Not sure there's any real benefit to me though. The DDS card never seemed overly useful (again, to me).
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20% off at Greene King pubs. A pint and steak and chips for under £15.
 
I’ve got a Forces Discount Card
I had 30% discount off a new Citroen, 20% off a new Transit connect van & 10% off a new Fiesta
Hundreds of retail outlet, Holiday companies & food restaurants do discounts from 5% up to 75%
I quite often ask if they do Forces discount 👍😜
 
This mythical NHS benefit must be why the Veterans lottery spends tens of thousands of pounds helping ex members get the vital treatment they need as the NHS makes them wait. Just ask the Royal Marine who lost one arm and both legs to an IED. They take you, brake you and throw you away. I would never serve again.
 
Crazylegs said:
This mythical NHS benefit must be why the Veterans lottery spends tens of thousands of pounds helping ex members get the vital treatment they need as the NHS makes them wait. Just ask the Royal Marine who lost one arm and both legs to an IED. They take you, brake you and throw you away. I would never serve again.
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Very true mate. The trouble is there are that many military charities running now the money is spread to thin. I think the RBL has lost its way and its meaning now as it’s just about making money for the managers. Tried to get a wheel chair for when I lost my leg, not to keep mind, just to use to get me Used to not being able to walk, they told me it’s not something they do,try the Red Cross. I’ve never given to the RBL since and that was 13 years ago. We need to overhaul the charity system and make it all joined up. You only have to look at the family of Sir Tom Moore to see that money doesn’t go to those’s that really need it when a small charity is set up.
 
I would suggest that SSAFA is the best of the current military charities. They carry out casework, then approach other charities on an individual's behalf.
 
Maybe - dare I suggest - the likely huge amount of money [contracted out] to third party companys for the setup and administration of this 'scheme' would have been better spent on actually homing veterans, instead of crumbing for good press by discount marketing to those in more fortunate circumstances.

It's difficult to disregard the feeling that this is yet another [insider benefitting] money grubbing PR scam. It also strikes me that one must have an element of comfort, security and disposable income to benefit from this racket in the first place, a luxury many veterans don't have. A distraction from the real issue? or am I being cynical?

I shan't be taking up the offer, not because I'm well off - I'm not - only because I won't be complicit in any government PR stunts that attempts to astro turf [their] cynicism.
#justsaying
 
Lon'gun said:
Maybe - dare I suggest - the likely huge amount of money [contracted out] to third party companys for the setup and administration of this 'scheme' would have been better spent on actually homing veterans, instead of crumbing for good press by discount marketing to those in more fortunate circumstances.

It's difficult to disregard the feeling that this is yet another [insider benefitting] money grubbing PR scam. It also strikes me that one must have an element of comfort, security and disposable income to benefit from this racket in the first place, a luxury many veterans don't have. A distraction from the real issue? or am I being cynical?

I shan't be taking up the offer, not because I'm well off - I'm not - only because I won't be complicit in any government PR stunts that attempt to astro turf [their] cynicism.
#justsaying
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I don't think you're wrong, Lon. A friend of mine who served in NI, had a terrible time adjusting, and felt let down with the lack of help he needed. Another mate managed to get what he needed
 
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