Benefits are very much down to personal circumstances so you may
not be receive the same as someone else!
As a member of HM Forces it is likely that you would never have
had to use the benefits system.
Finding yourself in a situation which means you may have to
apply for some form of financial support through benefits can be
confusing and frustrating.
This section will point you in the right direction to
enable you to obtain the relevant and necessary expert
knowledge.
This should ensure you receive all the benefits and allowances
you are entitled to.
If you have been in employment for the previous 2 years and paid
your national insurance contribution, it is likely that you
will be entitled to the full range of benefits available.
However, if you have not been in full employment, this does not
mean that you will not be entitled to benefits just that there may
be limitations.
It is the aim of Veterans First Point to help you maximise your
benefits. We will do this by working with the Service Personnel and Veterans Agancy
(SPVA) and Citizens' Advice
Beureau (CAB). Both agencies come to the Centre on a
regular basis so please contact us for an appointment. See the
news section for the next series of
visits. The SPVA will also be able to advise on any issues
regarding war pensions or war injury compensation schemes.
This will enable a full benefits check to be carried out on your
behalf to ensure you and/or your family are receiving your full
entitlement. You can also get help here with filling in your
benefits forms.
Some useful points of contact for you include:
Service Personnel and Veterans'
Agency (www.spva.gov.uk)
Citizens Advice
Bureau (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)
Work
Directions
0131 221 5300 (www.workdirections .gov.uk)
New Benefits
Claims
0800 055 6688 (for claimants who have never received
any
form of benefit before)
Income
support
0845 377 6001
Incapacity
Benefit
0845 537 6001
Disability Living
Allowance 08457
123456
Winter Fuel
Allowance
08459 151515
Community Care
Grant
08456 088 661
Social Care
Grant/Loan
08456 088 661
Working Family Tax
Credit 0845 300
3900
Child Tax
Credit 0845
300 3900
Pension
Credits
0800 99 1234
All of these are state benefits and are directly linked to your
previous employment and current status. A specialist benefits
advisor is really your best source to find out what you are
entitled to (and also identify what you are not!).
It is also possible that veterans' organisations, typically
SSAFA, Poppy Scotland or Help for Heroes, may be in a position
to offer grants or loans to help you set up home or a new
business.
We are finding that many ex-service personnel do not know about
all the benefits that they might be entitled to and, a few, do not
even want to claim them! So, get yourself sorted by phoning
the SPVA or make an appointment to see them here at Veterans First
Point.
Discount Cards
The following organisations offer discount travel and holidays
for veterans with disabilities or vulnerabilities but are subject
to confirmation of eligibility
Transport for London (for discounted/free bus, rail and water
bus services in London)
Coyster Cards
Admaze 4121
London
EC1A 1AF
0845 331 9872
Disabled Persons Rail Card
PO Box 11631
Laurencekirk
AB30 9AA
0845 605 0525
Vitalise (holiday breaks for disabled and carers)
Shap Road Industrial Estate
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 6NZ
0845 345 1970
www.vitalise.org.uk
Your local Citizens Advice Office will be able to advise on
further schemes in your area.