how to become a chelsea pensioner. We have made some adjustments to our admissions process to ensure the continued safety of those applying to become Chelsea Pensioners, and are now happy to accept their applications. We are thrilled to be able to resume controlled admissions on April 19; the final stage of the process involves a four-day stay at the Royal Hospital and interviews with key staff.
To become a Chelsea Pensioner, one must be a former private or soldier in the British Army who meets the following requirements:
Age 66 or older, or State Pension eligibility age (whichever is the greater)
The Royal Hospital requires patients to either be receiving an Army Service Pension or War Disability Pension, both of which must be turned over to the hospital upon admission, or else to make a weekly financial contribution (payable by Standing Order) toward their living costs if they are not receiving an Army Pension. The amount of this contribution will be determined by an application-time affordability analysis. Please be aware that you may be required to make an additional contribution if you are receiving an Army Service Pension or a War Disability Pension (also based on an assessment of affordability)
Liberated from the burden of providing for a family
The sheltered housing (Long Wards) at the Royal Hospital Chelsea does not accept direct entries to the nursing wards because they do not want to jeopardize the patients’ ability to live independently.
Former officers in the British Army who meet the requirements can join as well, provided they served in the ranks before receiving a commission.
Anyone who fits the above description is welcome to apply.
Because there are always more applicants than berths at the Royal Hospital, we take great care in selecting those who will best represent the Chelsea Pensioner ideals. This means that there will be times when applications are denied.
When making our final decision, we’ll consider each applicant’s Army record alongside other factors, such as how well they’d fit in at the Royal Hospital and how well they’d represent the hospital and veterans in general.
