Tonight
If you need to talk, or you are in danger
Three routes. Combat Stress is not 999.
- In danger now
If you are about to act on suicidal thoughts, or someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Samaritans will stay on the line. Combat Stress is not 999.
- Combat Stress
0800 138 1619 and text 07537 173 683. 24 hours. Veterans, serving, reservists, families. They can refer on. They are not 999.
- Royal British Legion
Hardship, housing, mental health, addiction. One day of service is enough. 8am to 8pm every day.
Who this is for
Anyone who served in the UK Armed Forces for a full day. Any era, any length, National Service included. Reservists, people still serving with a discharge date, and families who are worried. You do not have to prove you are struggling enough.
NHS mental health
Pick your nation
England Op COURAGE is not UK-wide. Default is England, North first — Liverpool.
England — Op COURAGE
You need a service number. A GP can refer, a charity can refer, or you can self-refer. Liverpool is North of England.
| Area | Number |
|---|---|
| North of England — Liverpool first | 0300 373 3332 |
| Midlands | 0300 323 0137 |
| East of England | 0300 034 9991 |
| London | 020 3317 6818 |
| South East (option 4) | 0300 365 2000 |
| South West | 0300 034 9986 |
Wales — Veterans NHS Wales
Self-refer via the site. Not a crisis line. Crisis in Wales: C.A.L.L. 0800 132 737.
Scotland — Veterans First Point
NHS, veteran-led. Find your local centre on the site. There is no single national number listed here.
Northern Ireland
Combat Stress and the Legion cover NI. Use those numbers. No separate NI NHS veteran number is listed here.
Homeless tonight
Op FORTITUDE and your council
UK-wide if you are homeless or about to be. Not legal advice.
- Op FORTITUDE
0800 952 0774. UK-wide. Homeless or about to be. Self-refer or someone else can. Single accommodation is for those most at risk.
- Your council
Still apply. England, Wales, Scotland and NI have different rules. Not legal advice.
What to say — three lines, honest, not legal advice. Copy them if that helps.
I am a veteran I have nowhere to sleep tonight I want to apply as homeless
Justice system
Op NOVA
Arrested, in court, in prison, on probation, or at risk.
- Op NOVA
0800 917 7299. England (NHS) and NOVA Scotland share this number. Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–2pm.
Directory
Someone who gets it
Forcesline, GOV.UK, pensions, LGBT+, limb or sight loss. The old Veterans Gateway website was retired.
- SSAFA Forcesline
0800 260 6780 press 1. Not 0800 260 6767. Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–4pm. Live chat on site.
- GOV.UK directory
The Veterans Gateway website was retired. Start here for money, work, housing, health. Op RESTORE and Op ASCEND are linked from this page — no extra numbers invented here.
- Veterans UK
Pensions, compensation, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. MoD.
- LGBT+
Fighting With Pride. Serving, veterans, families.
- Limb or sight loss
Blesma, the limbless veterans.
This page is for people, not employers. Not a Covenant audit. To talk tonight: Helplines. If home is not safe: Unsafe home.
Money
Compensation, pensions, civilian benefits
GOV.UK and Veterans UK. Not benefits advice. This page does not say if you qualify. Not a Covenant audit.
- Apply for compensation or a War Pension
One GOV.UK form covers both schemes. Veterans UK helpline 0808 1914 218, Mon–Fri 8am–4pm, is on that page. Not benefits advice.
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. Guidance only.
- War Pension Scheme
For disablement from service before 6 April 2005. Guidance only.
- Civilian benefits
Universal Credit, PIP and the rest sit on GOV.UK, not on this page. We do not run a calculator.
Sources — last checked 1 Sep 2026
Official URLs this page signposts to. Numbers are taken from these pages. If a number has moved, use the link.
- Combat Stress helpline
- Royal British Legion support helpline
- NHS: veteran mental health (Op COURAGE)
- Veterans NHS Wales
- Veterans First Point Scotland
- GOV.UK: homelessness support as a veteran
- GOV.UK: veterans and the justice system
- SSAFA Forcesline
- GOV.UK: support for veterans
- Veterans UK
- Fighting With Pride
- Blesma
- Samaritans
- GOV.UK: apply for Armed Forces Compensation or a War Pension
- GOV.UK: Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
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