Money

If you are looking for help with your situation you can contact Forcesline for confidential and independent support on 0800 260 6767 • Local support across Devon is available by contacting info@armedforceshub.org or visit the Armed Forces Community Support Hub website

Your benefits entitlement

On the Gov.uk website you can read about the available benefits and see what you may be entitled to. You can use the benefits calculators to see what effects benefits will have on your income and apply online.
Visit: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/entitlement

Housing benefits

If you’re on a low income you could get Housing Benefit to pay all or part of your rent. You can apply for housing benefit if you are unemployed or working.https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/what-youll-get

You can find more information about housing benefits and council tax from your local district council;  Council Tax https://www.gov.uk/council-tax
Use the Gov.uk council finder to find out which district council you need to contact Visit:https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council

After leaving the Forces, some ex-service personnel find themselves in financial trouble. SSAFA can give you the support you need.

Caseworkers will let you know about qualified debt advisors working in your area, although they cannot give advice themselves. Once you have received specialist advice they can then look for ways to help with any priority debts – these are debts where you are at risk of losing your home or supplies of essentials such as gas or electricity.

Visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/welfare-and-benefits/financial-planning-support

Armed Forces compensation scheme

There are several compensation schemes administered by Veterans UK on behalf of the Ministry of Defence available to serving and former serving personnel who are injured as a result of their service in the armed forces. The scheme that applies to each individual will depend on when and where you served.
Visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/armed-forces-compensation-scheme-afcs

Turn2us

This is a national charity that can help people access benefits, grants and support services if you are in financial hardship.
Visit: www.turn2us.org.uk

 

Defence Discount Service

The Defence Discount Service works with online and high street companies to offer Armed Forces veterans a discount on services like clothes shopping and holidays.
Visit: www.defencediscountservice.co.uk

Royal British Legion

The Legion provides specialist compensation advice, help with debt and emergency situations, and can support you through grants and loans. They provide help to thousands of ex-service people every year.
Visit:https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/financial-and-employment-support

CAB

The Citizens Advice Bureau has detailed and independent advice on managing all money issues including dealing with debt, mortgage and rent arrears, insurance, loans, pensions and banking.
Visit:   https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/

MoneyHelper ( Previously Money Advice Service)

On their website they provide the tools and calculators that will help you quickly work out the figures you need for some of the most common money situations you may find yourself in. Easy-to-use calculators can help you budget, save and cut back on costs. They can help you find impartial advisers, find out how much you might have in retirement, tell you how much extra money you need for your baby and much more.Visit: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en?source=mas#

 

 

CAB

The Citizens Advice Bureau has detailed and independent advice on managing all money issues including dealing with debt, mortgage and rent arrears, and loans.
Visit:  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/

MoneyHelper ( Previously Money Advice Service)

MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Visit: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en?source=mas

Gov.uk

Gov.uk has information about the correct procedures for dealing with debt and bankruptcy.
Visit: www.gov.uk/browse/tax/court-claims-debt-bankruptcy

National Debtline

A government service to help you deal with debt. You can get personalised online help or talk to an advisor on the phone, through webchat or by email.
Use our online tool to get debt help now.
Webchat with an adviser, Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm and Saturday 9:30 am – 1pm. This is the fastest way to speak to a specialist adviser.
Email us for advice currently suspended phone 0808 808 4000
Visit: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

Provides a range of support that includes welfare breaks for families and veterans, grants to help with getting about inside and outside the home, advice on benefits and care services and support for young people through the Airplay programme.
Visit:https://www.rafbf.org/how-we-help

The Soldiers’ Charity

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the Army’s national charity,  for soldiers, former soldiers and their families for life.
What we do
We stand at the forefront of support for the Army family. . As one of the largest funders in the sector, we award grants to individuals and families, and fund leading organisations that support soldiers, former soldiers, and their families. When we hear of a person or family in need, we aim to respond within 48 hours.

Visit: https://soldierscharity.org/abf-the-soldiers-charity/what-we-do/

The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust

RNBT provides financial assistance and support to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families in times of need.
Visit:  https://www.rnbt.org.uk/about-us/

The Royal Marines Charity

RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is here to support the entire Royal Marines Family – serving, retired and their dependants. No matter what stage of your career or life, you can always turn to us for help. Simply complete the form below or call us on 0800 468 1664. Our office hours are 08:30 – 16:00, Monday to Friday.https://rma-trmc.org/request-help/

If you are in a life-threatening situation, please immediately call 999 or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department. If need help outside of these hours, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or Combat Stress on 0800 138 1619

The Royal British Legion

Providing advice, support and financial assistance to soldiers, ex soldiers and their families. Helping with information on housing options, benefit entitlement, welfare grants, mobility equipment , poppy breaks, mobility assistance and help with priority debt.
Visit:  https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/financial-and-employment-support/finance/grants

 

Calculate your pension

Visit: https://www.gov.uk/armed-forces-pension-calculator

Independent financial advice for private pensions

MoneyHelper ( Previously Money Advice Service)

MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Visit:https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement

Citizens Advice

The Citizens Advice Bureau has detailed and independent advice on managing all money issues including dealing with debt, mortgage and rent arrears, insurance, loans, pensions and banking.
Visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/pensions/

 

 

If you are looking for help with your situation you can contact The Veterans Gateway on
0808 802 1212 or text 81212. Advice and support for veterans and ex-forces available here.