Money Matters: Practical money advice for veterans this Armed Forces Week
This week marks Armed Forces Week, a time to recognise the service and sacrifice of veterans across our communities.
For many people, leaving the Armed Forces can bring about significant changes. While military life provides structure, routine and support networks, adjusting to civilian life can sometimes present challenges – including managing finances, finding employment, navigating benefits or dealing with debt.
If you're a veteran and finding things difficult financially, it's important to remember that help is available and there is no shame in asking for support.
Many veterans face unexpected financial pressures after leaving service. Changes in income, rising household costs, health issues or family circumstances can all have an impact.
The good news is that specialist support is out there to help veterans access benefits they may be entitled to, manage debt, improve budgeting skills and build financial confidence.
There are also ways to make your money go further. Veterans are eligible for an Armed Forces discount card, which provides savings and special offers at thousands of businesses across the UK, covering everything from shopping and travel to leisure and household buys. If you haven't checked whether you're eligible, it's worth having a look as even small savings add up over time.
Locally in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we have a strong network of support for veterans, particularly around transition to civilian life, housing, employment, wellbeing, and mental health.
As a first point of contact, there’s the Telford & Wrekin Council's Armed Forces programme, including the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Community Hub in Dawley.
The hub acts as a one-stop shop for veterans, serving personnel, and families, helping with housing, benefits, employment, health services, and referrals to specialist support.
It aims to help people who are leaving the forces, adjusting to civilian life, looking for employment or training, seeking welfare or financial advice, as well as looking to reconnect with the veteran community.
For veterans struggling with stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, or adjustment issues, there is dedicated mental health and wellbeing support, including:
- Combat Stress near Newport, which provides specialist mental health support for veterans.
- The Ex-Forces Wellbeing Hub in Brookside, Telford, offering peer support, coaching, and community-led activities run by veterans with lived experience.
- Telford Mind also delivers Armed Forces community cafes where veterans can meet socially and access support services.
- Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club (Stafford), which offers regular meet-ups where veterans can build friendships, share experiences and access peer support.
- The Staffordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, which helps veterans and their families access local services and ensures the armed forces community is treated fairly.
There’s also several national organisations dedicated to supporting veterans, including The Royal British Legion for welfare, grants and advocacy; Veterans UK for pensions and compensation schemes; as well as SSAFA and Help for Heroes, which offer practical guidance and support.
If you’re a Housing Plus Group customer – and a veteran, please let us know so that we can provide you with the support you need, whether it’s money and debt advice, or help applying for your Armed Forces discount card, a member of our Money Matters team can support you.
26th June 2026