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<p>We made a clear commitment, through the Armed Forces Covenant, which we enshrined
in legislation in 2011, to support members of the Armed Forces Community, which includes
both serving personnel and veterans.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Social care has
never been free and people, including veterans, have always been asked to make a contribution
based on what they can afford. Veterans injured before 6 April 2005 receive payments
under the War Pensions Scheme, which predates the welfare state. Veterans injured
from 6 April 2005 receive payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The
two schemes reflect the time in which they were developed and as a result they operate
differently and are, currently, treated differently in the financial assessment of
what people can afford for social care.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Officials in
the Department of Health have been working closely with the Royal British Legion to
assess how the two schemes might be treated under the social care charging rules in
future and the impact of any change on local authority finances. We are grateful for
the time the Royal British Legion has taken to work with the officials. We are very
much committed to continuing this conversation.</p><p> </p>
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