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Health & Welfare

Find out how we help look after your health and welfare, including when you have children. Answer questions if you want to see what you may be entitled to

Healthcare

As a member of the Armed Forces you have access to free primary health care by the Defence Medical Services. We do our best to ensure you are ready and medically fit to go where you are required in the UK and throughout the world and compensate you for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service.

  • No eligibility information available

    Medical Care

    As a member of the Armed Forces, you get free primary healthcare provided by the MOD

    • health and welfare
  • No eligibility information available

    Dental care

    As a member of the Armed Forces, you’re entitled to free dental care

    • health and welfare
  • No eligibility information available

    Reimbursement of Medical and Dental Expenses

    If you have to pay for medical treatment that would normally be paid for by the Service, you can reclaim the cost

    • health and welfare
    • reimbursement
  • No eligibility information available

    Free Eyesight Tests and Spectacles

    Gain access to free eyesight tests and spectacles if you need them for working with Display Screen Equipment

    • No eligibility information available

      PAL Personal Accident and Life Insurance

      Get reliable and affordable personal accident insurance and optional life & critical illness insurance for you and your family

      • No eligibility information available

        Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

        Receive compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service.

        • No eligibility information available

          War Pension scheme

          Receive compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service before 6 April 2005

          Well-being

          Good health includes looking after your emotional and mental health. This is what the Armed Forces offers to ensure we're supporting you with your wellbeing.

          • No eligibility information available

            Welfare

            If you’re experiencing difficulties at home or at work, Royal Navy Family and People Support is here to help

            • health and welfare
            • families
          • No eligibility information available

            Deployment Welfare Package

            The MOD provides a comprehensive support package to ensure your wellbeing when you’re deployed

            • health and welfare
            • deployment
          • No eligibility information available

            Rest and Recuperation Leave and Post Operational Leave

            If you've been on continuous operational service for four months or more, you could be eligible for time off to recover.

            • leave
            • overseas
            • deployment
            • health and welfare
          • No eligibility information available

            Mental Health

            As a Service person you and your family can get free access to additional mental health advice and support

            • health and welfare
            • families
          • No eligibility information available

            Relationship Counselling

            As a member of the Armed Forces you can get free access to relationship and family counselling

            • families

          Parenthood

          We understand that introducing a new member to the family is a life-changing commitment. We want to help you by offering a number of different schemes, giving you time off work for both parents, ensuring you get Maternity Allowance even when you are not based in the UK and helping with the cost of childcare in term-time.

          • No eligibility information available

            Armed Forces Occupational Maternity Scheme

            As a member of the Armed Forces you get 52 weeks maternity leave and may be eligible for 39 weeks statutory maternity pay

            • health and welfare
            • pay
            • leave
            • families
          • No eligibility information available

            Ex-gratia payment in lieu of Maternity Allowance

            If you can’t claim Maternity Allowance, you may be eligible for this allowance instead

            • health and welfare
            • families
          • No eligibility information available

            Time off for adoption and antenatal appointments

            If you’re due to give birth or in the process of adopting, you can get paid time off for appointments

            • No eligibility information available

              Paternity Leave

              You can take paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child

              • health and welfare
              • leave
              • families
            • No eligibility information available

              Shared Parental Leave

              You can share leave with your partner following the birth or adoption of a child

              • health and welfare
              • leave
              • families
            • No eligibility information available

              Adoption Leave Scheme

              If you adopt a child and are the primary adopter, then you get 52 weeks adoption leave and may be eligible for 39 weeks statutory pay

              • health and welfare
              • leave
              • families
            • No eligibility information available

              Parental Leave

              Take unpaid leave to look after your child’s welfare

              • health and welfare
              • leave
              • families
            • No eligibility information available

              Wraparound Childcare

              Get funding for the cost of up to 20 hours of before and after school care for your 4 to 11-year-old children during term time

              Further Help

              • Armed Forces and Naval Service charities provide additional impartial support and independent advice to you and your family. Whether you need support with your finances, an overseas deployment, accommodation, relationships, or your health, they are ready to help.

              • No eligibility information available

                Charities

                Armed Forces and Naval Service charities provide additional impartial support and independent advice to you and your family

                • health and welfare
              • No eligibility information available

                HIVE/RN Family and People Support

                As MOD’s Tri-Service Information Service, the Army & RAF HIVEs and the Royal Navy Family & People Support team provide you with information on a wide range of subjects

                • health and welfare
                • families
              • No eligibility information available

                Naval Families Federation

                The Naval Families Federation provides independent advice and support for you and your family