FINANCE
It is vitally important to manage your finances and always stay on top of things, Banks & Financial Institutions prefer it if you stay in touch with them if you are struggling, and without a doubt, they will treat you more favourable if you keep in touch with them. If you are suffering from hardship, please visit the Welfare Support Team.
Try your hardest to refrain from Gambling and if you can manage to save just a little each month, you will be able to live an enjoyable stress free life. We have Help on the Help & Information page if you do have a Gambling addiction & can also offer personal advice by getting in touch with us.
An Excellent Website to visit to get fantastic Financial Help & Information is the Citizens Advice Bureau, it is constantly being updated and if you are still a serving member of the Armed Forces, never be afraid to make an appointment with your RAOWO or RAO / Paymaster to discuss any problems or concerns.
Step Change Debt Charity offers free expert advice to help you with your debts & get you the support you need. You can get advice online or over the phone, and they will recommend a range of debt solutions based on your situation. Tel: 0800 138 1111 or visit: www.stepchange.org
The Illegal Money Lending Team investigates and prosecutes illegal moneylenders, while supporting those who have borrowed money from the loan shark. For more Help & Information Tel: 0300 555 2222 or Email them or you can visit the website: www.stoploansharks.co.uk
WAR WIDOW'S PENSIONS
IMPORTANT NEW'S UPDATE
War widows who were forced to give up their pensions after their spouse died will receive a lump sum compensation payment of nearly £90,000 after a long-running campaign. The compensation scheme will benefit the widows of military personnel who died as part of their service but later remarried or moved in with a partner. Between 1973 and 2015, this group of people were forced to give up their "lifelong" War Widow pension when they began a new relationship. However, the pension rules changed in 2015 and they no longer needed to do this - however, the rule was not backdated and a few hundred people were not set to be reimbursed the money they lost. The Government confirmed last week that those affected by this would receive a one off lump sum payment of £87,500 to make up for the lost income. The payments will come through a joint initiative from the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.
Benefits & Concessions For The
Armed Forces, Veterans & Their Families
This information applies to:
- people who are serving in the Armed Forces
- people who used to serve in the Armed Forces (veterans)
- the dependants of people serving in the Armed Forces and veterans
There are many different kinds of financial help available for people in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. You can use this information to find out what financial help might be available to you, depending on your situation. You can also use this information to find details of organisations that might be able to help you further.
What financial help is available?
Veterans, people serving in the Armed Forces and their dependants have a range of financial help available to help them. This can include:
- benefits in the UK
- benefits abroad
- Council Tax Relief
- help with school fees
- help with childcare costs
- free and reduced travel costs
Benefits in the UK
Veterans, people serving in the Armed Forces and their dependants may be able to claim a range of benefits in the UK. These include:
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Personal Independence Payment
- Sure Start Maternity Grant
- Jobseekers Allowance
- tax credits
You can use a benefit calculator to check what benefits you can get.
You’ll need to know details about your:
- income - including any earnings or benefits
- rent and living costs
- savings and investments
Benefits abroad
If you are a veteran living abroad, or you are serving in the Armed Forces abroad, you and your dependants may still be able to claim some benefits in the UK. You may be able to claim:
- Maternity Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Jobseekers Allowance (in certain European Union countries only)
If you are refused a benefit you think you should get, you can contact the Royal British Legion for help to appeal. Contact:
Legionline: 08457 725 725 (open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm)
Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk.
Council Tax Relief
You may be able to get a tax-free relief payment for your council tax or contributions you pay instead of council tax. You may be able to get a relief payment if you are serving abroad in the Armed Forces and pay:
- council tax on a property in the UK, or
- contributions instead of council tax for service family accommodation
Payments are issued at the end of your time abroad. They are based on the number of days served abroad.
If you have served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq you should receive payments covering any period of service abroad since 1 October 2007.
If you were deployed in the following locations from 1 February 2008, you should receive payments covering any period of service abroad:
- Bahrain
- Bosnia
- British Forces South Atlantic Islands
- Diego Garcia
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Royal Navy Ships in receipt of Deployment Welfare Package (Overseas)
- United Nations Operations.
If you were deployed in Libya from 1 July 2011, you should receive payments covering any period of service abroad.
Armed Forces pensions
If you are claiming a war pension, or a war widow or widower pension and you are moving abroad, you should get advice on your pension.
You can get advice from Veterans UK. Their contact details are:
Telephone from the UK:
0808 1914218
Telephone from abroad:
44 1 253 866043
Email: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Help with school fees & childcare costs
If you are currently serving in the Armed Forces, you may be able to claim an allowance to help pay for your child's boarding school fees. You can get more information from the Children's Education Advisory Service. Their contact details are:
Email: RC-DCS-HQ-CEAS@mod.gov.uk
You can buy childcare vouchers to pay for the care of your child. As these are free from tax and national insurance, you can make big savings on the cost of childcare. If you register for the Armed Forces childcare voucher scheme the cost of the vouchers is taken from your pay every month. The vouchers can be used to pay for nursery care, summer camps for teenagers, boarding school fees and many other childcare costs.
You can find more information and application forms on childcare and school fees on the Ministry of Defence Childcare website at:
Free & reduced travel costs
Remembrance Travel
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Travel organises visits to cemeteries, battlefields and memorials across the world. Details of future tours can be found on the website at www.poppytravel.org.uk.
Financial help from the Government is available to war widows and widowers who wish to visit their spouse’s grave or war memorial. This only applies to those who lost a husband or wife overseas before 1967.
For more details, contact Poppy Travel: 01622 716 729.
Veterans travel in London
You can apply to join the Veterans Concessionary Travel Scheme in London if you are:
- a veteran getting financial help under the War Pensions Scheme
- a veteran getting regular financial help under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- a war widow or war widower getting financial help from the War Pensions or Armed Forces Compensation Schemes
Under the Veterans Concessionary Travel Scheme, you will be issued with an Oyster photocard. You can use this to travel free at any time within London on the bus, underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), tram and London overground services.
You can find out more information about this scheme by contacting Transport for London. Their contact details are:
Helpline:
0845 331 9872
(open Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm)
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk.
Veterans bus travel in Scotland
The National Entitlement Card entitles you to free bus travel anywhere in Scotland. If you are a seriously injured veteran with mobility problems you can apply for a National Entitlement Card if you:
- have received a lump sum payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- receive a War Pensioner Mobility Supplement
Further information is available from Transport Scotland. Their contact details are:
Tel:
0141 272 7100
Website: www.transport.gov.scot
Email: info@transport.gov.scot
Service Personnel And Veterans
Bus Travel In Wales
In Wales, seriously injured service personnel and seriously injured veterans are entitled to a free bus pass and free local bus travel at any time.
More information about the help available for service personnel and veterans in Wales is available on the Welsh Government website at: wales.gov.uk.
Blue Badge Scheme
You may be eligible for a Blue Badge if you are a disabled veteran or a member of the Armed Forces.
If you are currently in the Armed Forces and are no longer resident the UK, you or a member of your household can apply to the Ministry of Defence for a blue badge. If you've kept your UK residency, you should apply to your local authority.
For more information about the war disablement pension, see:
Pension and compensation schemes for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
For more information about eligibility for the Blue Badge scheme, see
You can find more information on the Blue Badge scheme on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk.
Forces Railcard
People serving in the Armed Forces, husbands, wives and dependant children can buy the HM Forces Railcard. This gives you 1/3 off most rail fares throughout the UK for a year. War widows or widowers and their dependants who are getting an Armed Forces pension are also eligible for a Railcard.
You can find more information about the Forces Railcard, including how much it costs and the savings you can make, on the HM Forces Railcard website at:
If you are a war widow or widower you can apply for a Railcard through the Royal British Legion. Contact:
Legionline:
08457 725 725
(open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm)
Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Veterans cannot apply for this railcard.
Forces discounts
People serving in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can get discounts for many goods and services. You can find out more about the discounts available from the Defence Discount Service website at www.defencediscountservice.co.uk.
Other organisations
Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
SAIL is a UK-wide Citizens Advice service dedicated to serving and veteran Royal Navy personnel and their families. They offer free benefits advice and support.
Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
Phone: free on
0800 160 1842
(Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm -
or you can leave a message outside these hours)
Email: advice@sailine.org.uk
Website: www.sailine.org.uk
Royal British Legion – England & Wales
The Royal British Legion can offer advice to the Armed Forces, veterans and their families on many issues, including money matters.
Their contact details are:
Legionline:
08457 725 725
Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk.
SSAFA - England, Wales and Scotland
SSAFA is an independent charity offering advice to people in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families on many issues, including welfare advice, housing and healthcare. The charity also runs a free helpline and email service that provides support and advice on many issues. Their contact details are:
Forcesline:
0800 731 4880
Email: welfare@ssafa.org.uk
Website: www.ssafa.org.uk.
Legion Scotland
(Royal British Legion Scotland)
Legion Scotland can offer advice to the Armed Forces, veterans and their families on many issues, including money matters.
Legion Scotland
New Haig House
Logie Green Road
Edinburgh
EH7 4HQ
Tel: 0131 550 1583
Email: info@legionscotland.org.uk
Website: www.legionscotland.org.uk
Armed Services Advice Project
Scotland
The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) is part of the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau Service and offers free, confidential, impartial and practical information, advice and support on a wide range of subjects to the Armed Forces Community in Scotland. This community includes people who are serving, those who have served (whether regular or reserve), and their dependants and members of the Merchant Navy (and their dependants) who served in a commercial vessel in support of certain UK military operations. To get in touch you can:
- call the helpline free on
0808 800 1007
- visit the website at www.adviceasap.org.uk for more information about the service
- ask us to call you. You can use the form on the website to send us your contact details, and a trained adviser will get in touch
- visit your local bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK, which is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is the sole Government-funded source of help and advice for veterans. Its website has a lot of useful information for veterans and their families, including on welfare support and other specialist support programmes that are available to veterans. It also provides links to many other veterans organisations. Veterans UK also runs a free helpline for veterans, which gives advice on many topics.
The contact details of Veterans UK are:
Veterans UK
Ministry of Defence
Norcross
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire
FY5 3WP
Veterans Helpline: 0808 1914218
Relay UK
If you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 169 3458
You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.
Email: veterans-uk@mod.uk
Website: www.veterans-uk.info
METRO BANK PLC
We believe that people come first, and that everyone deserves a great experience every step of the way – whether it’s face to face, over the phone, online or on our app.
From current accounts to savings and mortgages, our personal banking range is designed to cover everything you need. Signed Armed Forces Covenant in support of Armed Forces & Veterans.
Tel:+ 0345-0808-500
Armed Forces Covenant
FORCES FAMILY FINANCE UK
For Forces, Families & Veterans
We’re a team of experienced and qualified financial advisers who all have strong connections with the Armed Forces community. We Combine our extensive knowledge of the financial sector with our inherent understanding of military life. Our services have been tailored and are dedicated to supporting our Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.
Tel: + 0330 332 2614
Armed Forces Covenant
BARCLAYS BANK UK
For Forces, Families, Veterans
Our staff receive no sales incentives or commissions. Our only focus is to provide you with great service and help you meet your financial needs. If you need to contact us about our loans, mortgages, Online Banking or any other of our products or services, including current accounts, Premier banking or Business accounts, please choose the topic you need help with and we’ll give you the best contact options.
Armed Forces Covenant
BOOM CREDIT BANK
For Forces, Families, Veterans
If you’re a member of Boom! and are 18 or over you can apply for the Engage pre-paid Visa debit card account. It’s an ethical account with no overdraft and low fees that’s only available to Community Bank members.
You need to be a UK Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain, and live or work in East Hampshire, Kingston, Surrey or West Sussex.
17 Liverpool Gardens,
Worthing,
BN11 1RY
T: 01903 237221
FIND YOUR CREDIT UNION
Our handy tool helps you find the nearest credit unions to you. Enter your details in the search boxes as requested and click “Search”. You don’t need to fill in all the boxes, but the more information you provide, the more chance we have of matching you with one or more credit unions you can join.
Telephone Number Varies According To Your Area.
Armed Forces Covenant
JOINING FORCES CREDIT UNION
For Forces, Families & Veterans
We’re a team of experienced and qualified financial advisers who all have strong connections with the Armed Forces community. We combine our extensive knowledge of the financial sector with our inherent understanding of military life. Our services have been tailored and are dedicated to supporting our Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.
Tel: + 0330 332 2614
Armed Forces Covenant
HSBC BANK UK
For Forces, Families, Veterans
Explore our current accounts. Take a look at our full range of current accounts, all with no monthly account fee. To apply, you'll need to be 18 or over and live in the UK or EU. The current account that gives you more, with retail offers and access to our best savings rate. You'll need to qualify for an optional arranged overdraft of at least £1,000. Other eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
Tel: + 03457 404 404
Armed Forces Covenant
LLOYDS BANK UK
For Forces, Families, Veterans
Our accounts come with the following great features Contactless & mobile payments get a VISA debit contactless card & use Apple or Google Pay to make mobile payments. Mobile Banking app & Internet Banking - both highly secure and packed with features to make banking fast and convenient, wherever you are.
Mobile alerts - to help too
Tel: + 03453 000 000
Armed Forces Covenant
TURN 2 US CREDIT SUPPORT
Get Support & Use our free and easy-to-use Benefits Calculator and Grants Search tools to check what benefits you might be able to claim and what grants you might be able to apply for. Find welfare benefits and grants information that is relevant to you. Search by your situation or use the A-Z of benefits if you know the name of the benefit you want to find out about.
The Best Benefit's Checking Website In The UK, Do Not Miss Out On Your Entitlements.
ROYAL BANK SCOTLAND
For Forces, Families, Veterans
We have different current accounts to suit you. Browse our fee-free current accounts, or see the extra benefits you could receive with our range of Reward accounts. To apply you must be 18+ and a UK resident. Fees and charges apply. We’re on a mission to help more people save. We’re confident our accounts are tailored to a range of goals, and our savings tools could make the journey even easier.
Tel: + 0370 600 0459
Armed Forces Covenant
NATWEST BANK
For Forces, Families, Veterans
Manage your day to day banking and stay in control of your money by seeing where you're spending it, create budgets and add accounts with other banks. Criteria applies. We have different current accounts to suit you. Browse our fee-free current accounts, or see the extra benefits you could receive with our range of Reward accounts. Everyday banking from the comfort of your home. Make payments, go paperless, view and download statements and more from the comfort of your home.
Tel: + 0333 202 3330
Armed Forces Covenant
CITYSAVE CREDIT UNION
We provide saving plans for protecting against financial shocks and longer term plans such as saving for your next years holiday, your children, Christmas, a mortgage deposit or even home improvements.
When you save with us, you are not just another customer, but an active member of a successful financial co-operative which provides security and protection.
Tel: + 0121 616 6200
Armed Forces Covenant
LONDON MUTUAL CREDIT UNION
London Mutual Credit Union is a different kind of bank. We make it simple to borrow at low rates, and to build savings for the future. As a credit union, we are not‑for‑profit, and exist to serve the community. We work to make it simple for everyone to get into the habit of saving regularly, and provide a range of affordable loans and overdrafts at low rates for the times when you need to borrow too.
Tel: +
020 3773 1751
FAIRSHARE CREDIT UNION
What are Credit Unions?
Credit Unions are membership based organisations, much like co-operatives. Members have a say in how their credit union is run and may receive a share of the profits – a dividend. There are around 500 credit unions in the UK and more than 1.8 million members UK wide, and this number is increasing.
Tel: + 01952 200200
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