My journey timer
Communication history
7 Aug 25 Several emails received confirming the progress of my claim. These were expected following a notification from Fighting with Pride about the updates to the MOD system handling FRS claims.
What I hadn't expected so soon was one email confirming my DD claim had been approved and would I like to accept it and confirm my bank details.
For me that is looking like claim compete, however for some they still have some wait time ahead for them.
31 Jul 25 Noticed a 'status' change on application:
Initial Applicaiton Check Passed.
DD Payment Application - Eligibility Check Phase on 19 Jul 25
19 Jul 25 Email from the FRS team (on a Saturday)
Dear Paul Hillman,
Thank you for your application. As you are aware your application is within the Initial Application Check Phase. The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme have now started the actual Initial Application check on your application. The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme team will be in contact with you if there are any issues or questions in relation to this check.
9 Jul 25 Email reply from Gregory Stafford MP attaching the response he had received from the Minister for Veterans, and also on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence.
I did however note that I changed sex during the Ministers reply...
23 Jun 25 Apology letter, Etherton Ribbon and replacement lid and cap badge received
13 Jun 25 Email reply from Gregory Stafford's MP staff:
As requested, Mr Stafford has raised your concerns with the Ministry of Defence and he has tabled a written question to the Department which we will be happy to share the response once it has been answered.
10 Jun 25 Email sent to my local PM Gregory Stafford using the Fighting with Pride template asking for his support in raising questions with the MOD and within the House of Commons.
10 Jun 25 Email from FRS confirming claim did have a date of 23 Dec 24.
9 Jun 25 Emailed FRS team asking for confirmation of the date of receipt of my claim as it had previously not been 'found'.
29 May 25 Email sent to the Secretary of Defence expressing my concerns with the unacceptable delays in processing FRS claims.
14 May 25 Reply to my email at 13:19hrs
Dear Paul Hillman
Thankyou for your email on 13/05/2025.
Having checked our systems, it appears you have not yet submitted your application. You do have a Defence Gateway account, which is part 1 of the application, but you are yet to complete the actual application form….
If you have completed an application, could you please if possible provide us with your application Reference number so we can investigate further. If not, please follow the steps below in order to complete an application.
My email had included my Reference number.
That message was then followed with a request to recall it.
Minutes later the following arrived:
Dear Paul Hillman
Thankyou for your email on 14/05/2025
The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme regrets having to inform applicants that the 18-week automated (post application submission date) update notifications have been delayed due to a technical problem. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and are working to address this issue. However, the Scheme can assure you that this technical problem is only impacting the Scheme’s ability to issue the 18-week update and is not affecting the processing of applications. The Scheme is making good progress, the process of gathering evidence and records for the creations of applicants’ casefiles is underway and we are pleased to confirm that the first payments to terminally ill applicants have been transferred….
Currently your application status is in the Initial Application Check Phase. This phase starts 2 weeks after the submission of the application, when the application is locked down for changes. An applicant can only make minor amendments to their application (such as changes to personal details). You will be notified directly when the status of your application changes.
It is difficult to provide a timeline for receiving financial recognition as it depends on the payment/s applied for and the ease of accessing the supporting evidence. However, applicants will be updated on each step of the process, and we understand the need for timeliness in delivering this important recognition.
This was followed by:
Dear Paul Hillman
Please disregard the email sent on 14/05/2025 at 13:19. This information was incorrect, and I later found your application. I have sent a new email regarding the update of your application.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
A question here: Is my application in the queue from its original submission date or has it been tagged on to the end of queue as of 14 May 25 when it was 'found'?
As of May 2025 it has been reported that 24 payouts have been made, 8 of which were to veterans with life-limiting health conditions. Reports state that there have been over 1000 applications made, however the deadline for claiming is 12 December 2026, so it is possible that the workload for the FRS team could increase. Working on these claims, it is reported, is a team of 15. Given the FRS has been open for 6 months, with simple math this works out at 4 claims a month and 20 years to clear 1000.
13 May 25 I chased via email asking for an update as 20 weeks had passed.
1 Feb 25 Email received confirming I had passed the 2 week mark on my application (it was over a month).
Thank you for submitting your application to the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for a Financial Recognition Payment(s). You can download a PDF version of your application by clicking the "Download Submitted Form" button on your application which can be accessed here: Go to My Application Form.
It has been over 2 weeks since you submitted your latest application. Your application has now entered the Initial Application Check phase and updates to your application can no longer be made via the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme App...
You can expect to be contacted by the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme within 18 weeks from the submission of your application.
23 Dec 24 Application acknowledged via email.
Thank you for submitting your application to the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for a Financial Recognition Payment(s).
23 Dec 24 I submitted my application.
MondaY TO fRIDAY - EXCLUDING BANK HOLIDAYS.
Fighting With Pride supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+Veterans, service personnel and their families – in particular those most impacted by the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces, ultimately lifted on the 12th January.
We are proud of the achievements of our serving LGBT+ personnel. They serve in every part of the Armed Forces and are supported at every level of command.
In stark contrast, and despite the passing of over 20 years since the ‘gay ban’ was finally lifted, no attempt has been made to support the recovery of the thousands of LGBT+ service personnel dismissed or forced from service prior to 2000.
We want to connect service charities and organisations to those LGBT+ veterans who have been left behind.