FAQs

First a short potted history (FAQs Below)

The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) existed between 1970 and 1992 as a locally recruited Army Regiment providing direct military support to the police in Northern Ireland during Op BANNER, colloquially known as The Troubles. It was the largest infantry unit with eleven battalions at its peak. Initially mostly a part-time force, its numbers grew and the proportion of full-time soldiers gradually exceeded that of part-time, although both worked side by side as complete sub-units. Full-Time soldiers (known as Permanent Cadre) served on full career terms and conditions of service and contributed to a Service pension. Part-Time soldiers served on gratuity-earning terms and conditions and, assuming they met the requirements for a Certificate of Efficiency each year, were paid an annual tax-free bounty instead. Female soldiers (known as Greenfinches) served in both Full Time and Part-time capacities.

As part of broader Army re-structuring, the UDR amalgamated with The Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the new Royal Irish Regiment (R IRISH) which then consisted of General Service (GS) Battalions (conventional infantry), Home Service (HS) Battalions (serving only in Northern Ireland as part of Op BANNER and specialising in Counter-Terrorist/Counter-Insurgency roles) and Territorial Battalions, Reservists still known as RANGERS to differentiate them from other categories. The Home Service still consisted of both Full Time and Part Time regular soldiers, who were designated HSFT and HSPT accordingly.

Only Full-Time soldiers of all categories contributed to an occupational pension-earning scheme which was payable after certain milestones had been reached or otherwise preserved until age 60. (Some Full Time (Con Rate) soldiers in the early UDR years until 1975 did not join such a pension scheme.) All categories of soldiers are, however, eligible to apply for compensation for injuries (physical and mental) attributed to or aggravated by their service. Prior to 2005, the scheme is known as War Disablement Pension (WDP). After 2005 it is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

FAQs

Click on an FAQ topic to reveal the relevant Q&A's

Eligibility

Answers to eligibility questions

Medical Support

Answers to Medical Questions

Financial Support

Financial Support questions

Pensions Advice

Answers to eligibility questions

Respite Support

Answers to questions about the respite and Families Group

General FAQs and Support

General questions and answers

NOTE:
• It should be noted that all applications for financial support from Benevolent Funds are subject to strict criteria set by their Trustees, underpinned by their Funds' legal requirements. Aftercare Service caseworkers will provide advice and guidance on all welfare issues and can assist in completing applications. (We routinely defer to expertise from Veterans Welfare Service of Veterans UK in the case of pensions, WDP and AFCS.) Acting as the conduit for Benevolence support, caseworkers will ask clients to provide personal details and financial records which are required by Trustees to make their informed decisions. These may take the form of bank statements, invoices and estimates for services. Applicants should be aware of this requirement when seeking financial assistance.

Have a question that is not answered? if so please contact us and we will endeavour to answer it.

Am I entitled to ask for physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy assessment and treatment is part of the medical service the VWS NI can offer if you are eligible; the condition you seek treatment for must have been caused by or aggravated by your service. There are limits on the amount of physiotherapy available.

Is there any additional assistance for medical needs?

On 1^st Sep 2021, Trustees of the UDR Benevolent Fund initiated a “Health Care Scheme” trial. The trial will run for one year, at the end of which the viability of having a full scheme will be assessed. The scheme does not cover the cost of medical treatment, it opens up the potential for UDR Veterans to have access to private consultations in order to alleviate waiting lists in the statutory Health Service. Additionally, in some cases Trustees may consider paying for specialist engagement with other agencies to provide necessary equipment not otherwise available. Each case is considered on its own merits, so please

I received physiotherapy / psychological therapy via Previous Aftercare Medical Service /or recently VWS NI ; can I get a medical report?

You need to contact the medical service provider directly and ask for this information. Depending on exactly what you require there may be a charge for this service. If you need help to do this.

Can I get assistance or funding for other medical issues?

Physiotherapy and Psychotherapy can be offered by VWS NI for service-related issues only. Treatment for all other medical issues should be sought through your GP and the Health Service.

Am I entitled to ask for psychological therapy?

Psychological therapy assessment and treatment is part of the medical service the VWS NI can offer if you are eligible; the condition you seek treatment for must have been caused by or aggravated by your service.

Can I get a copy of my Army Service and/or Medical records?

Using a Subject Access Request (SAR) form, any veteran can request full disclosure of their Service records, which include medical documentation, from Army Personnel Centre, Glasgow. Please see link below for their website.

Army Personnel Centre, Glasgow.

Can the VWS NI assist with employment issues?

In general we refer onwards to the Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) which is a registered military charity and has subject matter expertise in re-employment of former military personnel. In some instances the relevant Benevolent Fund may also provide funding for re-training to improve employment chances. Certain criteria apply, such as evidence of financial need, a written offer of employment subject to gaining a certain qualification and production of a quote for the course/training cost. The application to the Benevolent Fund is facilitated through the VWS NI by completion of a financial application. See Note below

Does the VWS NI provide personal security help and or advice and guidance?

Any security issues or concerns you have should be directed to the PSNI.

Can I request a Piper for a funeral?

All requests for Pipers to play at funerals should be directed to RHQ R IRISH. Pipers can be provided for all antecedent Regiments, subject to availability, follow the link to contact RHQ R IRISH

RHQ Website

Does the VWS NI provide a befriending service?

The VWS NI does not offer a befriending service due to having a limited number of staff. However, we can refer individuals to organisations which offer such a service, and these are dependent upon where you live.

Can the VWS NI assist with housing issues?

There are no direct links with the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) to short-cut their points-based entitlement system. VWS NI can advise on useful contacts and support organisations to assist when dealing with NIHE. For private rental issues, financial assistance may be available through the relevant Benevolent Fund to cover the deposit and first months’ rent, subject to evidence of need and the ability to pay for future rental instalments. See Note below

How can I get a replacement medal?

You can only get a replacement medal (suitably engraved) from the Ministry of Defence Medals Office (MODMO) if the original was stolen or destroyed, for example in a fire or flood. The medal must have been awarded for service after World War 1 and proof of how it was lost must be provided; for example, a police crime report. Un-engraved copies of most medals (full-size and miniature) can be purchased from a variety of outlets - many of which advertise in the Royal British Legion magazine .

The Royal British Legion

FAQs

FAQs

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Regional Field Teams

FAQs

FAQs

Am I eligible for VWS NI assistance?

My Spouse/Father/Mother/ Brother/Sister served in UK Armed forces, the UDR and or R IRISH (HS). Am I eligible for VWS NI assistance?

Am I entitled to ask for physiotherapy?

Is there any additional assistance for medical needs?

I received physiotherapy / psychological therapy via Previous Aftercare Medical Service /or recently VWS NI ; can I get a medical report?

Can I get assistance or funding for other medical issues?

Am I entitled to ask for psychological therapy?

Can I get a copy of my Army Service and/or Medical records?

Does the Benevolent Fund cover the cost of funerals?

Can I get financial assistance from the Benevolent Fund?

Am I eligible for Family Group Membership?

Am I eligible to use the UDR respite apartments in Portrush?

Am I entitled to a pension for my UDR / R IRISH(HS) service?

Am I entitled to a War Disablement Pension (WDP)?

I am in receipt of a War Disablement Pension. Can I apply to have it increased?

Can the VWS NI assist with employment issues?

Does the VWS NI provide personal security help and or advice and guidance?

Can I request a Piper for a funeral?

Does the VWS NI provide a befriending service?

Can the VWS NI assist with housing issues?

How can I get a replacement medal?

Need Help?

Regional Field Teams