Many modern servicemen are facing extreme hardship and struggling to provide the basics of life, according to the Fife branch of the SSAFA.
With the anniversary of D-Day having just passed, the military charity has highlighted the changing needs of veterans.
SSAFA Fife’s chairman Lt Col (retired) Graham Meacher said: “As time takes its inevitable toll on the D-Day veterans, this year will be the last of the great anniversaries where we have the opportunity to thank those who took part in person.
“Veterans deserve our thanks and care they have all served their country.
“Some have suffered physically or mentally as a direct result of their service life, others have financial or emotional issues that may be unconnected with their military careers.
“We support veterans of all ages but we are seeing a change in the needs of those we help.”
He said the needs of a D-Day veteran can be very different from someone who has recently left the services.
“We are seeing clients coming forward with far more complex need these days,” he said.
“Often they have more than one challenge that they need support with.”
Last year, the team of 30 caseworkers in Fife dealt with 295 cases and visited 147 clients to offer help. It helps with issues such as home adaptations but is often called on to provide critical care.
“Some veterans and their families are experiencing extreme hardship and struggling to provide the necessities of life, such as a cooker or a fridge and in some cases, food or furniture,” Mr Meacher said.
“Others are in need of more emotional support, such as help with accommodation or returning to employment through training.
“SSAFA believes that our service personnel and their families should be treated with the dignity their commitment deserves.”
He added: “Many question why the Government does not do more to help veterans. While we sometimes help people apply for appropriate benefits, many veterans prefer to deal with someone outside of the formal welfare system.
“We can often deal with cases quicker than the welfare system and provide face-to-face care, sometimes over an extended period, to help people through difficult times.”
SSAFA is the longest established military charity, providing lifelong support for those who serve, or used to serve and their families.