Brighton Council Urges LGBTQ+ Veterans to Apply for Ministry of Defence Payments Before 12 December Deadline
Brighton Pride at the Royal Pavilion. Image: Fighting With Pride
Brighton & Hove City Council is urging LGBTQ+ veterans to apply for payments from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Financial Recognition Scheme before applications close at 23:59 on Saturday 12 December 2026.
The council says the scheme is for people who faced unfair treatment in the armed forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It says that between 1967 and 2000 it was against the rules to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans in Britain's armed forces, and that many people were investigated, dismissed or pushed out of the service.
Sources: Brighton & Hove City Council news release, 9 October 2026, and MOD guidance on GOV.UK
Who can apply
According to the MOD's guide to applying on GOV.UK, an applicant has to 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
The government's scheme website says financial payments are only for living veterans or personnel. The council says applicants can apply for either or both types of payment.
The two payments
The MOD guidance sets out two types of Financial Recognition Payment.
LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment: £50,000. This is for people who were dismissed or administratively discharged, including officers who were ordered or instructed to resign or retire by their Service Board, solely because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity during the Ban.
LGBT Impact Payment. This reflects the personal impact the Ban had on applicants during their service. The council says it is assessed by an independent panel. The guidance sets out three levels:
| Level | Payment range |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | £1,000 to £5,000 |
| Level 2 | £5,001 to £10,000 |
| Level 3 | £10,001 to £20,000 |
What the council's Armed Forces Champion said
"To every LGBTQ+ veteran in Brighton & Hove: thank you for your service. You were treated unfairly, and this scheme is a step towards putting that right."
"We know that there are many people who served in silence. Some may not have heard about this scheme. Some may think it's too late, or that it isn't for them. It is for them."
"If you know someone like that, please tell them about this scheme. A friendly chat could make all the difference. And if it's you, please know that you don't have to do this alone."
"Please don't let worry, pride or paperwork stop you. You served your country, and this recognition is long overdue. Register today, ask for help, and remember the deadline: midnight Saturday 12 December."
Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, Armed Forces Champion for Brighton & Hove
How to apply
The MOD guidance says you can only apply through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme app, which is accessed through the Defence Gateway, or with an official hard copy application form. The MOD recommends the online route.
- Register on the Defence Gateway. The registration form asks for your name when you served, your name now if different, your service number and your email. It also asks you to consent to the scheme checking MOD personnel records to confirm you served during the Ban.
- Wait for your account. The scheme says it aims to set it up within 10 days, though times can vary, for example if service records need to be retrieved from the MOD archive. Sign-in details arrive by email, and the guidance says the account setup emails expire if not actioned within 7 days.
- Complete the application in the app. The guidance says it saves automatically and gives you a chance to review everything before you submit.
- Check it after submitting. You can change an online application within 2 weeks of submitting it.
If you already have a Defence Gateway account, the guidance says to use it, because registering again will be declined.
Hard copy. Call the Veterans UK Helpline on 0808 1914 2 18 (UK freephone, 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) or email veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk. They can send you the form and a return envelope. The guidance says to send copies of supporting evidence, not originals.
Documents and what to expect
The guidance says you will need supporting documents to prove your personal details, and encourages you to include evidence for the type of payment you are applying for. If you do not have documents, it says to include as much detail as possible in your written account of what happened. You will not be called to give evidence in person.
- Terminal illness: applications from terminally ill applicants are prioritised, with supporting evidence.
- Legal representatives: someone with Power of Attorney, or another legal representative, can apply on behalf of an applicant who lacks capacity. Payments are only paid to the applicant.
- Appeals: you have up to 2 calendar months from the date of a decision or determination letter to raise an appeal request.
- Tax: the guidance says HMRC has agreed that payments are exempt from income tax.
- Bank payments: the scheme can pay into UK, European and overseas bank accounts.
The guidance also says the scheme is not connected to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme.
Non-financial measures
The government's scheme website says non-financial restorative measures are open to everyone affected, whether or not they apply for a payment. It lists official letters of apology, restoration ceremonies and replacement service items among them. Fighting With Pride's website shows the same closing time of 23:59 on 12 December 2026 for both the non-financial measures and the Financial Recognition Scheme.
Fighting With Pride
The council says the scheme has been championed by the Fighting With Pride charity, which now offers free help to veterans applying. Its Battle for Lost Veterans campaign badge describes the aim as finding LGBTQ+ people who have served and have not yet come forward to claim their reparations.
The charity's website says applicants could be entitled to up to £70,000 and invites veterans to register with Fighting With Pride for help applying.
Where to get help
The MOD guidance names two charities that have partnered with the scheme to help veterans complete their applications:
- Fighting With Pride: 0203 981 3810, info@fightingwithpride.org.uk, or register on their website
- Royal British Legion: 0808 802 8080, info@britishlegion.org.uk
- Veterans UK Helpline: 0808 1914 2 18 (UK freephone, 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday), veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk
- The scheme itself: LGBT-FRScheme@mod.gov.uk
The guidance also points to the Veterans Welfare Service, and notes that completing the application can bring back painful memories. It suggests going slowly and seeking support from a family member, counsellor, health care professional, friend or someone in your community.
The scheme so far
The scheme opened for applications on 13 December 2024 and runs for 24 months, until 11:59pm on 12 December 2026. The scheme page on GOV.UK, last updated on 28 August 2026, gives figures as of 24 August 2026: 1,696 individual applicants, 2,145 case decisions and £57,808,000 in payments.
Sources and further reading
- Council news: financial compensation set up for LGBTQ+ veterans (9 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: how to apply for a Financial Recognition Payment
- GOV.UK: Veterans of the LGBT Ban, Financial Recognition Scheme
- Government scheme website: Armed Forces LGBT ban recognition schemes
- Fighting With Pride
- Register with Fighting With Pride
This article is based on a Brighton & Hove City Council news release and MOD guidance published on GOV.UK. For more council news, see Brighton & Hove City Council news on ImJustBrighton.
