Overview

The UK government hasinitiated athe Ex-Gratia Medical Payments (EGMP) policy to provide support to former locally-employed staff in Afghanistan who were injured as a result of their employment with the Ministry of Defence (MOD).) between 2001 and 2021. The EGMP scheme was closed to new applications in 2021.

The EGMP Review was initiated in June 2020 to enable reviews of payments under the EGMP.

The Review will be closed to new applications on 23 July 2026. Those who have already applied will also have until then to provide further evidence on their applications.

All applications received before the scheme closes on 23 July 2026 will be processed.

No new applications will be accepted following the closure of the scheme.

This publication explains the eligibility criteria for reviewingthe ex-gratiaEGMP medical payments.Review.

Background

SinceBetween 2001,2001 and 2021, local staff in Afghanistan havewho worked with the UK government playingplayed an important part in our joint efforts towards the shared goal of a more secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

Extremely brave people worked alongside our soldiers on patrol, and in some cases suffered profoundly life-changing injuries as a result of enemy action. The government remains committed to awarding appropriate payments for these people.people through the EGMP.

TheIn Department2020, hasthe finishedMOD revisinginitiated itsa process for reviewing ex-gratiathe medicalEGMP paymentscases relating to individuals who wish to have their cases re-assessed. ThisIts willintent was to enable those whose condition has deteriorated beyond their original prognosis, or those who have developed a late-onset condition, to receive a fair full and final payment without prejudice. Review payments are for those whose injuries were reported to MOD at the time, and consideration will be given to cases where no ex-gratia medical payment was previously awarded, where the evidence supports this.

Eligibility Criteria

ForTo abe revieweligible offor ex-gratiathe medicalEGMP paymentReview, to be made, the applicant must satisfy all of the following criteria, as per the original policy:criteria:

1. theThe injury must have occurred during MOD employment and have been recorded by the Department at the timetime;
2. there

AND

2. There must be sufficient evidence that the condition has deteriorated beyond what was assessed as the projected recovery at the time, or that a new condition has arisen as a result of the original injury.injury;

• For TheseEGMP Review applications received prior to 23 April 2026, these must have been reported to us within 3 years of formal diagnosis of the deterioration or new condition (as opposed to 3 years of the date of initial award payment for applications submitted on or after 23 April 2026). Consideration will also be given to cases where eligibility to the EGMP was previously considered but a payment was not awarded, where evidence supports this;

• For EGMP Review applications received after 23 April 2026 these must have been reported to us within 3 years of the initial EGMP award unless the condition could clearly not have been known to the individual within that timescale;

AND

3. The deterioration or new condition must be a significant permanent physical or mental impairment or disability, including any serious scarring or disfigurement.

These payments are not intended to provide compensation for those injuries where the individual is expected to make a complete recovery or where they may be left with some permanent or long-lasting impairment of a less serious nature, for example limited in either the degree of pain or loss of faculty.

Making a claim

Claims shouldmust be submitted before 23 July 2026 using the Ex-Gratia Medical Review Claim Form above to DARR-Medical-Casework@mod.gov.uk, andwith photocopies of two forms of identification: either your passport or driving licence, and a utility bill showing your current address that is not more than 3 months old.

If there is a record of the original injury and no further information is required, the case will be referred to the review panel, which includes a medical expert.

The panel’s decision will be communicated in writing.

Receiving your payment

A decision on your application to the EGMP Review will be communicated to you electronically from DARR-Medical-Casework@mod.gov.uk.

If a Review payment is awarded to you, this will be on a full and final settlement basis without prejudice. You will be asked to sign your understanding of this before the payment can be made. You will also be asked to provide your bank details. Upon receipt of these, the payment will be made as soon as is practically possible.

Appealing the review decision

In the event you are not satisfied with the outcome,outcome youof canyour requestapplication ato reviewthe ofEGMP theReview, communicatedyou can appeal the decision within 12 months.months Inof suchbeing instancessent the paneloutcome willletter. reviewYou can appeal the casereview again,decision by contacting DARR-Medical-Casework@mod.gov.uk and setting out why you are not satisfied with the outcome willand why you consider this should be communicatedlooked fromat DARR-Medical-Casework@mod.gov.uk.again, with any relevant evidence to support your appeal.

Related information

• Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme
• Supporting UK locally employed staff in Afghanistan

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