26th OCTOBER 2009: ADAM Walker, a caseworker and researcher for British National Party MEP Nick Griffin, has compiled a useful signpost list designed to provide information for our armed forces veterans who need help in returning to civilian life.

A veteran is anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces and they are entitled to extra support and help, both during resettlement and after, as part of the nationís commitment to their efforts on its behalf.

 

Service Personnel make a commitment to the nation by serving in the Armed Forces so to recognise this commitment, the Government ensures that life for all members of the Armed Forces community is as uncomplicated as possible.

 

This means that all Government departments should be working together to:

* Show commitment to the Armed Forces, and show thanks for the service provided.

* Remove problems individuals may face as a result of being required to move around the UK or the world (for instance, difficulties in getting a house or finding a doctor.)

* Provide better support for those wounded in service.

 

What the Government is doing to make this happen is laid out in a report called the Service Personnel Command Paper. This leaflet tells you about the parts of the report that relate to you as a veteran and also includes information about what you are entitled to as a war widow or widower. There are other leaflets available for those who are still serving, and for their families.

 

A copy of these leaflets can be obtained by e-mailing sppolspcpmailbox@mod.uk

 

Veterans-UK Website

The Veterans-UK website is your one-stop shop to find out about the help available to you.

It is run by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, which is an agency of the Ministry of Defence and includes information on the following:

* The War Pension and Armed Forces Pension schemes

* How to access your service records

* Compensation

* Welfare Support

* Veterans Welfare Service

* Advice on veterans services

* Medals

* Veterans lapel badges

* Links to ex-service charities and organisations in your area

Contact www.veterans-uk.info for more information.

 

Veterans Helpline.

A free helpline is available where you can get in touch with The Service Personnel Veterans Agency. The number to contact is 0800 169 2277.

 

War Widows and Widowers

For more information on war widows and widowers entitlements please have a look at www.mod.uk/spcp.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice, in partnership with the Royal British Legion and the RAF Benevolent Fund, can provide advice on benefits and money matters to members of the armed forces who are currently serving or who have left the service. They can be contacted at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

Royal British Legion

The British Legion helps serving and ex-Service personnel and their families. Not just those who fought in the two World Wars, but also those involved in the many conflicts since 1945 and those still fighting today. The British Legion provides welfare services; they campaign on a range of issues affecting Service people; they are custodians of Remembrance; they raise funds through the annual Poppy Appeal and they are a membership organisation. More information on the British Legion can be obtained from their website at www.britishlegion.org.uk

 

Army Benevolent Fund (ABF)

The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Soldiers' Charity. It provides support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. They work in partnership with Regimental and Corps Benevolent Funds and in co-operation with other Service charities. They identify and investigate eligible cases in real need and provide them with financial support.

The ABF supports serving soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. Support is given in two ways:

* Grants to individuals

* Grants to charities

Individual needs can range from an electric wheelchair or a stair lift for an injured former soldier to care home fees for a Second World War veteran or a much needed holiday for a war widow and her young children.

The Army Benevolent Fund:

Head Office

Army Benevolent Fund

Mountbarrow House

6-20 Elizabeth Street

London

SW1W 9RB

Telephone 0845 873 7135

www.armybenfund.org

 

RAF Benevolent Fund 

The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAFís leading welfare charity providing practical, financial and in some cases emotional support to all members of the RAF family, from childhood through to old age. They help with issues from childcare and relationship difficulties to injury and disability, and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement. 

From top up care fees to vital financial support for those in real need, the services of the fund range far and wide in support of RAF members and ex-members.

* Top Up Fees - They can help by paying top-up fees for a care home, or help fund the cost of care in your own home.

* Care fees - If youíre disabled, they can help with home adaptations, mobility and special equipment.

* Financial need - They can provide valuable financial support and advice if youíre struggling to make ends meet.

* Property repairs - If youíre unable to afford essential repairs to your home, they may be able to help you with the cost.

* Death and disablement in Service - If you, or your partner, are disabled or killed in service they can help with your familyís housing and education.

* Welfare breaks - If youíre feeling in need of a break, you can book a week or two away at one of their four welfare break centres.

* Support for the serving RAF - They deliver a wide range of vital, targeted services and support to serving personnel and their families.

The RAF Benevolent Fund:

67 Portland Place

London

W1B 1AR

0800 169 2942

www.rafbf.org

 

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association (SSAFA)

If you have a Service connection, then SSAFA can offer support. They will always try to respond to cases of genuine need, whether they are financial, practical or emotional.

You and your immediate dependants are eligible for their help if:

* You are currently serving.

* You have served one paid day's service in any of our Armed Forces.

* You have completed one year's service in the Reserve Forces, one day's service on operations or you have done National Service.

* You served one paid day in the Mercantile Marine including the Korea, Suez, Falklands and Gulf operations.

* You have completed one year's service in the Association's Nursing and Welfare Service.

* As a UK citizen, you have received one day's pay whilst stationed overseas as part of the Armed Forces and for a period ending no more than six months after your return to the UK.

SSAFA Forces Help

19 Queen Elizabeth Street

London

SE1 2LP

0845 1300 975

info@ssafa.org.uk

www.ssafa.org.uk

 

Royal Navy Benevolent Trust (RNBT)

The RNBT will consider applications for assistance from any member of the RNBT Family. If you fit one of the following descriptions then, apart from a few exceptions, you are almost certainly part of the RNBT Family. 

* Serving and ex-serving Men and Women - If you are a past or present RN rating or RM other rank or a Primary Beneficiary.

* Wives, Husbands and Partners - If you are the dependent partner of a Primary Beneficiary with whom you live.

* Children - If you are the child, under the age of 18, of a Primary Beneficiary (living or deceased). This may include: a dependent child who is not the natural child of a Primary * Beneficiary; a child who has continued in full time education on reaching the age of 18; and a child over the age of 18 who is unable to support himself because of mental or physical disability.

* Widows and Widowers - If you are the widow or widower of a deceased Primary Beneficiary with whom you were living at the time of death and are not living with a new partner.

* Separated or Divorced Wives and Husbands - If you are the separated or divorced wife or husband of a Primary Beneficiary and are not living with a new partner.

The RNBT can help in various ways.

* Grants to Individuals - They make grants to assist in a very wide variety of circumstances. For example, if there is a need, they will give help towards living expenses, house repairs, disability aids, job training, all sorts of financial difficulties and much more. Every year they respond to three or four thousand applications with grants totalling about £1.5 million.

* Annuities - Their Annuities provide some older members of the RNBT Family on very low incomes with a small but regular financial supplement. They currently fund over 1300 annuities at £156 per quarter - a total of almost £800,000 each year.

* Grants to Organisations - They give limited financial assistance to a few organisations which support people in the RNBT Family, for example a hospice in Portsmouth and another in Plymouth. This is a small part of their budget.

* Care Home - Pembroke House is a home near Chatham in Kent, where the RNBT looks after about fifty older members of the RNBT Family, who need nursing or personal care.

* Housing - The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust is the sole trustee for the John Cornwell V.C. National Memorial (JCVCNM). This is six semi-detached cottages for disabled and infirm sailors and their families, located in Hornchurch, Essex.

* Advice - The RNBT receives a constant stream of requests for advice about welfare and naval matters. Often they can provide the answer themselves, but if not, they are usually able to direct the enquirer to someone who can. 

The RNBT Headquarters

Castaway House,

311 Twyford Avenue,

Portsmouth

PO2 8RN

023 9269 0112

www.rnbt.org.uk