Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has unveiled a new dedicated advice service specifically designed for the Armed Forces community in Northern Ireland.

The initiative aims to remove barriers for serving personnel, veterans, and their families when navigating complex government systems such as housing and welfare benefits. The centrepiece of the announcement is a new telephone and text service, scheduled to launch in the coming weeks. This tailored channel will provide a direct route for the military community to access the Department for Communities' broad remit of services, ensuring that those who have served do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens.

Speaking at a Veterans Roadshow event in Ballymena, Minister Lyons stated that his Department has one of the broadest remits in government, touching lives through housing, benefits, sport, and culture. He emphasised a commitment to providing the right service at the right time to the right people, asserting that no one should face disadvantage when trying to access the support to which they are entitled. To ensure long-term delivery and accountability, the Minister has appointed a senior departmental official as strategic lead to oversee ongoing engagement with the Veterans Commissioner and representative groups. In addition to the telephone service, the Department for Communities, working in conjunction with the Veterans Commission, will roll out a series of advice roadshows across Northern Ireland. These events will offer face-to-face guidance on housing support, social security benefits, and various cultural opportunities.

The new service will complement the existing "Make the Call" initiative, which already assists thousands of people across Northern Ireland in identifying unclaimed benefits. While the general "Make the Call" service remains available, the new Armed Forces service will be staffed by advisors trained to understand the specific circumstances of military life. Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone welcomed the move, noting it follows the Assembly's recent backing to adapt the Armed Forces Covenant and marking it as a significant step toward ensuring no disadvantage for veterans in areas like housing and welfare.