‘Transition’ is the process that serving personnel and their families go through when preparing to leave the Army. Transition is a unique experience for everyone – what to do and when to do it will vary depending on your family’s needs.
What should I know about transition?
You can read more about transition in LIFTING THE LID ON TRANSITION- The families’ experience and the support they need (full report) and the summary infographic.
If you have a question or concern that relates to your family joining civvy street after life in the Army, contact us.
Defence Transition Service (DTS) has been launched to provide comprehensive support to Service leavers and their families with the transition into civilian life.
Personnel and their families who have been referred to DTS will receive support and guidance from regional MOD teams on topics such as accessing healthcare and managing finances, including budgeting for council tax, housing and travel costs.
Support from the DTS is provided for a member of the Armed Forces while they approach their date of discharge and will not stop when they leave. The support can continue for as long as it is needed.
A Service person’s unit assesses each Service leaver’s readiness for transitioning into civilian life. Those assessed as being someone who may find the transition more difficult will be referred to DTS.
Referrals for support can be made using DTS Form 1 (for unit welfare staff, Service admin staff, specialist welfare providers from all branches of the Front Line Commands and those connected with the Military Corrective Training Centre) and DTS From 2 (for self-referrals, and charities and local authorities).
The forms can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families.
Back to topAll Service leavers (who have left since December 2018) automatically receive a veterans’ ID card to mark their time in the Armed Forces. This card allows veterans to verify their Service to the NHS, local authorities and charities and access support and Services. The MOD has also announced, all other veterans will be able to apply for a veterans’ ID card.
A railcard is available for veterans and members of their family travelling with them. For more information, see veterans-railcard.co.uk
Service leavers are also eligible to apply for a Defence Discount Service card.
Back to topService leavers may (where availability allows) request to remain in their Service Family Accommodation (SFA) for up to 12 months after their last day of Service. DIO has produced an infographic to show the options. Please ensure that you read all the options and remember that there is no guarantee that you will be able to remain in your current SFA after your last day of Service. If you do you will pay an increased charge as you will no longer be entitled to subsidised rates. If you have any questions, please email housingsupport@aff.org.uk
When the time comes for you and your family to leave the Army, it can be very daunting deciding where to live and finding a home is a key concern for many people, especially if you’re currently living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA).
Advance planning can reduce stress levels, and this is a positive part of living in SFA as it allows you to have the time to research your options, particularly when it comes to having enough money for a purchase or rental income and understanding the true cost of living outside of SFA.
It’s also important to think about the location of your new home in relation to your and the serving person’s jobs, local schools and access to the local community and your support network.
To read about our housing research findings, turn to section 4.2 of LIFTING THE LID ON TRANSITION- The families’ experience and the support they need (full report).
A good place to start your housing research is by attending a civilian housing brief presented by DTS.
The briefings provide advice and guidance to serving personnel and families, about housing options when making the transition to civilian life. You can attend a civilian housing brief at any point during the serving person’s career – you don’t have to wait until you know the serving person is leaving and is in resettlement!
For more information, see gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing
The Army doesn’t pay for your first or final move, so make sure you’re aware of the costs associated with moving and prepare accordingly.
There is a little-known regulation covering ‘Final Tour of Duty’ requests. Provision does exist for paying both Disturbance Expense (DE) and Removal of Personal Effects (RPE) at public expense for a final move, providing that a request to reside in a particular area has previously been made to the appropriate Career Manager.
For more information, see our Moving-in/Moving-out page.
All charges for damages and deficiencies on SFA and SSFA in the UK are now recovered from the the serving person’s pay.
For more information on how to prepare for move-out, see our Moving-in/Moving-out page.
Social housing is very scarce, and most councils have long waiting lists – the Armed Forces Covenant means that you will not be disadvantaged if you don’t have a local connection, however, it will NOT mean that you get to the top of the list.
Remember that if the serving person receives a pension lump sum as they leave the Army, this may mean you exceed the asset threshold to apply for social housing, which is currently £16,000.
If you require local authority housing when you move out of your SFA, DIO’s Loss of Entitlement team (LOET) will issue you a ‘Certificate of Cessation of Right to Occupy Service Quarters’; this is a document issued to show when your entitlement to occupy Service accommodation will end. The Certificate can be used to demonstrate to a local housing authority that you will become homeless on a given date.
For more information on social housing, see our Civilian housing page.
From 1 January 2023, the Forces Help to Buy Scheme became an enduring policy, ensuring its availability to all Service personnel now and in the future. The scheme enables Service personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest-free towards the purchase of a property.
The scheme aims to address low levels of home ownership in the Armed Forces, overcoming the disadvantages that mobility brings in line with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. It supports greater lifestyle choice and retention of personnel. If you have at least six months left to serve at the time of application, you may be eligible. See our Civilian housing page for further details.
When your entitlement to SFA is due to finish, whether due to end of Service, divorce or discharge, you will be issued with a Notice to Vacate (NTV) by DIO.
An NTV is legal notice of the termination of your licence to occupy SFA and is generally 93 days with the last day timed to coincide with the serving person’s last day of Service.
During this period, you will still pay Service rates for the property and this money will still be collected direct from the serving person via JPA.
For more information on why it is issued and what you should do when you have received it, see GOV.UK: Service family accommodation notice to vacate guidance notes.
Although it happens more than you might think, Irregular Occupancy isn’t a subject commonly discussed.
Forget the term illegal occupancy (as it is often called), there is nothing illegal about finding yourself in an SFA when your entitlement has ceased.
SFA occupants can become an Irregular Occupant for several reasons, including because of standard discharge or retirement from the Services.
In such cases, you are required to give the DIO Loss of Entitlement team (LOET) at least four months’ notice of the serving person’s last day of Service. 93 days’ NTV will then be given to coincide with the discharge date. If less notice is given, then the NTV period will be reduced accordingly. The DIO LOET can be contacted on 01904 418 000 (Military 94510 8000) or email diordaccn-loeteam@mod.gov.uk
Please note that the DIO OPS Accommodation finance team, based in York, deals with collecting rents from Irregular Occupants when they can no longer be deducted from salary. All letters in relation to IO, with the exception of financial statements, will be issued by the LOET. So, it is important that you notify them of any changes to your personal circumstances.
Once a ‘Notice’ has been issued, you will be notified of the new charges at least four weeks prior to the Notice expiring. This will enable you, if entitled, to apply early for housing benefits, thereby avoiding any delay in payment.
The letters sent out by the LOET use legal housing jargon and are set out in a manner required and understood by the courts and local councils. Terms such as: ‘Damages for Trespass’ and ‘Violent Profits’ (in Scotland) can seem intimidating, but they are simply legal phrases used to describe the total charges for the use and occupation of an SFA.
If you wish to apply to stay in your SFA for longer, see our Applying for SFA/SSFA page for more information.
When the time comes for you to move out of your SFA, it must be cleaned to move-out standard in the normal way. You should arrange a pre-move-out inspection through the Pinnacle Home Services Team so that your Housing Officer can give you all the guidance you require for move-out.
You may also be entitled to financial help with your removals, so contact your Unit Welfare Officer who will be able to advise you.
Where can I get information, advice and support?
If you do find yourself in this worrying situation, speak to your Unit Welfare Officer, LOET, Army Welfare Service worker, SSAFA FH or AFF about benefits and future housing provision.
Back to topSpousal employment is recognised as a key contributor to helping transition be less challenging for all the family. It can help provide some stability and a helpful income as you adjust to civvy street.
Visit our Employment & Training section for more information, advice and support on job hunting.
In today’s job market, having a good CV is essential, no matter what kind of employment you are seeking.
As an Army spouse or partner, you probably have a chequered career history and posting-induced career breaks, so it’s even more important that your CV makes you stand out from the crowd.
There are various providers who can help you develop your CV on our Forces Families Jobs Career Advice page.
Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) is the online employment and training platform specifically for Service families. Spouses, partners and adult family members are eligible to use FFJ during the first 12 months of the serving person leaving the Armed Forces.
Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) runs free Lifeworks for Families courses to help Army families get back into work. They will help you discover the career that suits you, guide you through a change in location or situation and help you search and apply for jobs.
The Forces Employment Charity (FEC) Families Programme supports military spouses and partners to develop the skills and confidence to find and secure a job, providing one-to-one advice and guidance on your journey into employment.
Have you thought about setting up your own business? Many Army spouses find this an attractive option which fits well with family life. Find information to help you get started on the Be your own boss page.
The Government, and some Service and ex-Service organisations, offer financial assistance to serving and ex-Service personnel, and members of their families, to support a course of study or training. This may include assistance with the added costs and expenses associated with studying. See our Employment & Training pages for some good places to start.
People often confuse ‘resettlement’ and ‘transition’: resettlement is just one part of transition, which is a much longer-term, holistic process.
Resettlement is the package of support that a solider can access as they leave the Army. It is usually available for a limited period for up to two years before/after the serving person’s end of Service. Different packages are available depending on how many years the serving person has served, and for those who are medically discharged.
In some cases, such as some examples of medical discharge, a Service leaver can transfer their CTP resettlement entitlement to an eligible spouse or partner. For more information, the serving person should speak to their chain of command, Resettlement Officer (IERO) or CTP advisor.
The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and the Forces Employment Charity (FEC) can provide guidance and support during resettlement and beyond.
There are lots of resources on the CTP website that are useful for non-serving family members too, such as information sheets and CV guides.
Back to topA move to a new location as the serving person leaves the Army can often mean finding school places for children.
To read about our education research findings, turn to section 4.7 of Lifting the Lid.
If you’re going to be settling in a new area as part of your transition and will be looking for new school places for your children, it’s important to contact the local schools and the admissions team of the Local Authority (LA) to find out where there are school places in your new area as soon as possible.
Some schools manage their admissions themselves and some are managed by the LA; the Schools Admissions Code 2021 refers to children of Armed Forces personnel.
This is only a consideration for admissions authorities and does not guarantee you the school place of your choice.
Having difficulty acquiring a school place for your child? Let us know, email educationsupport@aff.org.uk so that we can use evidence like yours to continue to campaign.
CEA is paid up until the end of the term that the serving person’s end of Service date falls. If this date falls in a holiday period, then CEA is paid up until the end of the term before.
If the serving person is leaving on redundancy or for other reasons, the rules may be different – contact our Money & Allowances team at moneysupport@aff.org.uk for further details.
Double check the small print of the contract you have with your child’s boarding school as some layout a minimum number of terms; if you have not completed those, you may be liable for the full fees (without CEA) for the remaining time.
If you are keen for your children to remain at the same school but concerned about how to finance it, some parents have been successful in negotiating a lump sum payment (from their gratuity) to keep their child in school for the remaining time.
There are a couple of bursaries that AFF is aware of for families needing help with school fees. Contact our Money & Allowances team at moneysupport@aff.org.uk to find out more.
Please be aware that some schools have specific quotas for day and boarding pupils – particularly state boarding schools. Don’t assume that you can transfer from one to the other – check this with the school.
£335 of SPP money is paid directly to state schools, free schools and academies across England for supporting Service children in Years R-11. Schools can claim SPP for up to six years after the serving parent has left the Army as long as they have previously been registered as a Service child, this is known as the Ever-6 Service Pupil Premium. See Service pupil premium (SPP): information for schools
It is not possible to claim retrospectively or to register your child for this via the schools’ census once the serving person has left the Army, so make sure your child’s current school knows your child is a Service child and registers them accordingly.
Equally, let your school know when the serving person leaves the Army, so their status can be adjusted on the records. For more details, see our Service Pupil Premium page.
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and boarding schools all deliver education differently. We have produced a table showing comparative school years for children within the different state education systems of the Devolved Administrations.
Once you know where you are moving to find out what childcare options are available to you and establish if there are spaces, or if the setting holds a waiting list as well as checking what the application process is. Remember that the age children start at school varies in different parts of the UK and the offer for funded hours in the pre-school years is different between each of the devolved nations. See Childcare Choices on the Government website.
The education pages of the AFF website.
The Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) also provides expert and impartial advice about the education of Service children.
Back to topMoney can be a significant concern when leaving the Army. The cost of living in civvy street can be very different to living in SFA and it can take time to get used to a new way of budgeting.
To read about our money research findings, turn to section 4.5 of Lifting the Lid.
Final pay-out for pension benefits may take up to 35 working days after the serving person’s discharge/retirement date. It’s important that you plan for this accordingly and don’t rely on this money for time-specific expenditure, such as a deposit on a rental property, as any delays could mean you miss out.
Veterans UK is part of the MOD. It provides essential support services to the Armed Forces and veterans including:
For more information, see gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#pensions. You might also find the Forces Pension Society a useful resource.
The Army does not pay for your first or final move, so make sure you are aware of the costs associated with moving and prepare accordingly.
From 6 April 2010, all Service spouses and civil partners can claim National Insurance credits, to maintain their National Insurance record for time spent accompanying their spouse or civil partner on an overseas assignment.
These credits protect your entitlement to the basic state pension and contribution-based Social Security benefits such as new style Jobseeker’s allowance or new style Employment and Support Allowance.
For more information on National insurance credits for Service spouses, see our Benefits, National Insurance and Tax page.
This is the main benefit you can get if you’re unemployed and looking for work. This benefit is taxable.
AFF is extremely pleased that there have been condition changes for families returning from overseas with regards to claiming JSA.
These changes have been implemented to overcome previous disadvantage faced by Army spouses/civil partners returning from overseas postings. See our Benefits, National Insurance and Tax for more details.
The money pages of the AFF website
The MOD offers a Financial Aspects of Resettlement (FAR) briefing for serving personnel and their spouses or partners, which is available to attend as soon as the serving person is entitled to resettlement. This is a great way to find out more about some specific financial elements of transition, such as the Armed Forces pension, and ask questions about others.
Back to topHealthcare is an important consideration when the serving person is leaving the Army, particularly if they or another member of the family is undergoing medical treatment at the time. There are a number of practical steps you can take to ensure family members can access medical and dental treatment once the serving person has left the Army.
It is also worth bearing in mind the emotional impact that transition can have on the whole family’s wellbeing. The Army has produced Transition Information Sheet 2 – The Emotional Pathway to help raise awareness of this.
To read about our health research findings, turn to section 4.6 of Lifting the Lid; for the Wellbeing pages, see section 4.3.
A new study has recommended research, policy and services should start focusing on the wellbeing of family members of veterans in their own right, rather than just as potential support for the veteran.
The UK Veterans Family Study report said most veteran families appeared to have good psychological health after military service. But there was a small number of veterans, partners and adult children who might need support with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse.
The mental health impact of caring for a veteran with PTSD featured in interviews with participants. Families also reported difficulties managing finances during and after service – especially when the serving person was discharged unexpectedly and they had no time to plan.
AFF’s Health & Additional Needs Specialist Karen Ross was part of the study’s advisory group for the work, which is funded by the Forces in Mind Trust and provides the first overview of the psychological health and wellbeing of the UK’s veterans and their families.
A total of 1,904 veterans, 475 partners and 240 adult children were surveyed on subjects including how being in a military family affected their life, the choices they made later on, and what support was available while they were serving.
Read the full report: The UK Veterans Family Study: Psychological health, wellbeing, and social support among UK veteran families
Registering with a GP is often nothing new for most Army families; however, if you have previously been registered with Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) or military medical centres, you may be a little anxious about registering with an NHS practice. For information and advice on registering with a GP, see our Health page.
AFF is aware of the difficulties families can face in finding an NHS dentist. For more information and advice, please see our health pages.
The Army has produced some transition guidance for serving personnel explaining how to access the NHS and veteran related services, see transition Information sheet 3.
Once your spouse or partner has left the Army, they are considered a veteran and it is important that they inform their GP of this, particularly if they have an ongoing medical issue or are taking medication.
If you or a member of your family is currently undergoing medical treatment, or are taking specific medication, it is important to ask your GP for a copy of any relevant medical notes or a record of the medication that you are taking. This should reduce any delay in treatment when you register with your next GP, particularly if your medical notes haven’t arrived when you have your initial appointment.
If you are receiving specialist treatment in hospital, it is recommended that you ask your consultant for a current referral letter. Your new GP can then re-refer you for consultant and secondary care.
If you are currently on an NHS waiting list and move before you reach the top of it, you should be able to transfer any waiting time accrued when you move; this is a commitment of the Armed Forces Covenant.
If you do experience problems with transferring your NHS waiting list time, contact AFF Health and Additional Needs team at healthsupport@aff.org.uk
Army families have always been expected to access their mental health provision through the NHS or through charitable provision, so this won’t change when your spouse/partner leaves the Army. Mental health provision can also be accessed through various charitable organisations; for more information, see our Mental health page.
Service personnel are provided with mental healthcare provision through the Defence Medical Services (DMS) if required. However. once the serving person has left the Army, their NHS GP becomes responsible for healthcare provision for both physical and mental health issues.
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, Armed Forces veterans and their families.
Other organisations that can help both veterans and their families on mental health include:
For more information, see our Health page.
If you have a family member with additional needs and/or disability and you require adaptations to your next property, contact your Local Authority (LA) to request an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment.
In some areas, LAs may have long waiting lists and they usually have eligibility criteria to see whether someone can receive OT services; this is based on the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) guidance.
For more information on the eligibility criteria, see nhs.uk/conditions/occupational-therapy
If you cannot wait for an LA OT assessment, you can opt to get a private OT assessment; ensure they are fully qualified and a member of a recognised body, such as the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT).
OTs can also provide you with equipment for your home; to find out how you do this, see gov.uk/apply-home-equipment-for-disabled.
If you require major adaptations or more expensive equipment, this is the responsibility of the housing department. You may be required to pay something towards the cost of these items, or you may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to help with the cost.
The Disabled Facilities Grant is means tested for adults and is only available in England and Wales. For Scotland visit gov.scot/policies/independent-living/housing-adaptations and for NI visit nidirect.gov.uk/articles/disabled-facilities-grants
Children with a disability who are under 18 years can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. Contact your local council for more information.
If your child has SEND and you need support getting them into the correct school for their needs, contact the Local Authority (LA) and speak to the SEND team. The GOV.UK website has some useful information on SEND
The Children and Families Act 2014 gave LAs a statutory duty to produce a ‘Local Offer’ for children and young people with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND) from 0 to 25 years.
You should be able to find the Local Offer on your local authority website or on the Local Offer website. The Department for Education (DfE) has published a useful SEND guide for parents and carers.
Take a look at the Health & Additional Needs pages of the AFF website.
As Devolved Administrations, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own policies and provide their own services in some areas.
If the serving person is looking to access their resettlement entitlement from their last tour of duty that is overseas, forward planning is even more crucial. As a family, you should consider the implications of serving overseas and trying to access resettlement at the same time.
UK-based Service leavers will access much of their resettlement and Career Transition Partnership support via their local Regional Resettlement Centre (RRC). There is also an RRC in Germany and one in Catterick that serves postings in Canada, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Naples, embassies and all other locations. See ctp.org.uk/contact-us for more information.
Access to services are also more limited when serving in isolated appointments such as Defence Attaché or Loan Service. In these circumstances, the serving person is advised to start their resettlement preparation prior to deployment overseas. As a minimum they should look to attend a Career Transition Workshop (CTW).
For information and guidance about using Learning Credits and accessing resettlement whilst serving in remote overseas locations, you can contact the dedicated Individual Education & Resettlement Officer (IERO) based at 30 AEC Woolwich, Mr Peter Barnes, on 0208 781 374, peter.barnes602@mod.gov.uk or the clerk, Mr Brian Sayer on 0208 781 3291, brian.sayer770@mod.gov.uk
Back to topWhat is meant by ‘transition’?
In the context of the Army, ‘transition’ is the process serving personnel and their families go through when the serving person is preparing to leave the Army.
Why is it important to think about transition now?
Amidst all the uncertainty of Service life, transition is the only certainty – one day the serving person WILL leave the Army. Our research shows that the earlier a family plans for their future, the less stressful transition is likely to be. It’s never too early!
While we know that the serving person will leave the Army one day, they might end up leaving sooner than we think, perhaps due to medical discharge. If you have started to think about life after the Army and make provision for it, unexpected doesn’t have to mean unplanned!
How is ‘transition’ different to ‘resettlement’?
Service personnel are entitled to various forms of support during their ‘resettlement’, which is a finite period leading up to and soon after their final date of Service. The serving person can speak to their chain of command or Individual Education & Resettlement Officer (IERO) at any time to find out more about resettlement entitlement.
The only mandatory element of resettlement for a serving person is the Resettlement Advice Briefing (RAB), which is usually delivered by an IERO. The RAB is a comprehensive guide to what a Service person needs to consider once they have decided to leave the Army and without attending a RAB, a Service person can not access the Career Transition Partnership so it’s a vital first step in getting the support they’re entitled too.
Resettlement is just one part of transition. Transition is about a lot more than just the serving person’s first job after the Army.
What do I need to consider for my family’s transition?
There’s a lot to consider when planning for life after the Army and each family’s priorities will be different. Our research shows that involving family members in transition can only be a good thing. Most families will need to think about:
What support will the Service person get when they leave?
Service personnel are entitled to a raft of information, guidance and support through the Army, including a Resettlement Advice Brief and access to the Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
Exactly what they are entitled to will vary depending on things like how long they have served. A Service person’s chain of command and Individual Education and Resettlement officers (IEROs) will be able to signpost them to the right information and guide them through the process.
The AFF website provides a wealth of information on specific issues, such as housing, education and childcare, employment and training, health and Foreign & Commonwealth.
What support will our family get when the serving person leaves the Army?
There is very little guidance currently aimed specifically at families in transition. Many military charities extend their services to family members, so it is worth asking about your own situation if you are contacting a charity for help. Family members are encouraged to attend the DTS Civilian Housing Brief and the Financial Aspects of Resettlement Brief that serving personnel are made aware of. More information about these can be found on the gov.uk and CTP websites.
SSAFA runs a Transition Mentoring scheme that is designed to support Service leavers and their families as they leave the Army. Family members can access this service in their own right or alongside their Service leaver. For more information about the scheme, visit ssafa.org.uk/get-help/joining-civvy-street/transitional-mentoring-for-service-leavers. Please note that the scheme is open to people outside of Catterick, to those who are not wounded, injured or sick, and family members too.
Where else can I find information, advice or support?
The AFF website contains lots of useful information and the pages above suggest links to other subject-specific sources of information, advice or support.
More general help with transition can also be found at:
The Army has issued some guidance on welfare support for those families transitioning from the Army.
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