The Ministry of Defence has launched the £75 million LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme which will be open for the next two years.
Between 1967 and 2000, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel were banned from serving in the armed forces, leading to people being dismissed or discharged, harassed, abused, and in some cases imprisoned.
The scheme provides two types of payment to recognise the discrimination and the detriment suffered by LGBT personnel under the Ban:
- LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment. A flat payment of £50,000 for veterans 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.
- LGBT Impact Payment. Three levels of payment (from a minimum of £1,000 to a maximum of £20,000) for those who were impacted in other ways. This payment is open to all those who experienced pain and suffering under the Ban, including harassment, intrusive investigations and indeed in some cases imprisonment.
To be eligible, the applicant must have:
- Served in HM Armed Forces between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000.
- Been affected by the Ban on LGBT personnel serving in HM Armed Forces.
Applications from terminally ill veterans will be prioritised.
A number of charities have teamed up with the Financial Recognition Scheme to provide support, if needed, to veterans making an application.
The application window will be open for 24 months until it closes on 12 December 2026.
LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme guide: How to apply for a Financial Recognition Payment - GOV.UK
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