On 18 February, the Ministry of Defence launched a new veterans ID card which all service leavers will receive to mark their time in the armed forces.
The cards will allow veterans to easily verify their service to services such as the NHS, the Council, and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed.
Ceredigion County Councils Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Paul Hinge, a veteran himself, welcomed the news of the new ID card. He said, “This goes some way to the recognition that service personnel have given selflessly to the service of their country without favour or bias. I welcome this veterans ID card and hope it will provide a symbolic and noteworthy recognition of an individual’s service now they have become a veteran on completion of their service. It should help society show their appreciation of the time each person served this country when they then reintegrate back into society.”
The veteran ID card will be rolled out in two phases:
• Phase 1: The Veterans ID Card will be provided to all service leavers only, as part of the discharge process from 18 February, and retrospectively to those who left on, or after 17 December 2018.
• Phase 2: Applications from the wider veteran community will be encouraged once the process has been agreed. Information on how to apply will be made available closer to the time, before the end of 2019.
Contact the Veterans UK helpline number on 0808 1914 218 for more information or visit www.veterans-uk.info.
20/02/2019