Social security during Covid-19: The experiences of military veterans

Scullion, LC; Martin, PB; Hynes, CJ; Young, DHJ

Abstract

Research published prior to Covid-19 has illustrated some of the difficulties that veterans can experience within the benefits. Drawing upon unique insights from the UK’s first substantive qualitative research focusing on veterans within the benefits system, this chapter revisits pre-Covid concerns around mental health, benefits processes and support networks to explore the impact of the pandemic. Drawing on the accounts of a cohort of veterans who have complex needs, we provide important insights for policy and practice in relation to the need for careful consideration of when, how (or indeed whether) we return to ‘business as usual’ within the benefits system. Second, drawing on the accounts of our cohort of veterans provides an important contribution from those whose families are ‘fractured’ or where ‘family’, in the traditional sense, is absent. As such, we highlight the importance of taking a wider perspective on the nature of family, and particularly the importance and function of peer networks when considering how people experience, and are supported through, periods of crisis.

Citation

Scullion, L., Martin, P., Hynes, C., & Young, D. (2022). Social security during Covid-19: The experiences of military veterans. In K. Garthwaite, R. Patrick, M. Power, A. Tarrant, & R. Warnock (Eds.), Covid Realities : Researching Poverty and Low-Income Family Life during the Pandemic (149-164). Bristol: Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447364504

• Publication Date: May 31, 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 25, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 6, 2023
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Pages: 149-164
• Book Title: Covid Realities : Researching Poverty and Low-Income Family Life during the Pandemic
• Chapter Number: 10
• ISBN: 9781447364481
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447364504
• Publisher URL: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
• Additional Information: Projects : Sanctions, Support & Service Leavers