SSFA Mears Update

 

Annington Challenge 2022

 

For more information please click HERE 

HIVE Supports your Issues and Concerns

 

The Queen's Green Canopy

 

A unique tree planting initiative launching to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Visit http://queensgreencanopy.org​ to get involved.

Unregulated use of mechanically propelled vehicles

The use of electric scooters, segways and electric mono-wheels in areas open to all (including on roads, paths and pavements) within all British Forces Cyprus establishments is prohibited until further notice. The unregulated use of these forms of transport is prohibited under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Consolidation) Ordinance 2006. 

The Sovereign Base Areas Police and Military Police will stop all those using them on roads, paths and pavements, including within British Forces Cyprus establishments. 

Offenders may be subject to prosecution, disciplinary and/or administrative action.

Samaritans launches app to support UK military veterans' mental health.

 

Samaritans new veterans app aims to help manage the emotional challenges of leaving the military.​

Full details: www.samaritans.org/news/samaritans-launches-app-to-support-uk-military-veterans-mental-health/

Accommodation

 

Ending Physical Punishment in Wales

Parents Factsheet - English - Accessible

Forces Pensions Society

The CPI increase which will come into force next April has been announced as 3.1% by the ONS. This is the figure that will be used to increase all Armed Forces pensions in payment from April 2022.
Armed Forces pensions, once awarded, are adjusted in April each year by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI rate used is the CPI headline rate for the September prior to the April adjustment the following year. This rate is always formally announced in October.

https://forcespensionsociety.org​

UCAS guidance for potential students from a UK Armed Forces background

​Following collaboration between the MOD, UCAS and the Service Children's Progression (SCiP) Alliance, UCAS now has an information and advice web page​ for students from a UK Armed Forces background. Veterans, or students whose parent(s), carer(s), or partner are current or former UK Armed Forces personnel may find there are unique circumstances to consider when making their applications. They may also be able to get extra support from their chosen university or college. The information pages cover advice for: *Service children *Veterans *Spouses/partners of UK Armed Forces personnel

War Widows Knock on the Door: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of Bereaved Military Families

 

The aim of this study was to explore and understand the impact that death, whilst in military service, has on the surviving family. Specifically, it focused on how casualty notification was undertaken and the impact that the current process had on the long-term wellbeing of the family. Please click HERE for more information.

Speak Out Stay Safe with the NSPCC

 

An online safeguarding programme with free resources available to help keep children safe

Website - Speak Out Stay Safe​

Commonwealth Families and Veterans Research

 

DIO Message - Service Families Accommodation Applications

On receipt of an Assignment Order, Service personnel should apply for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) through the E1132 form which can be found here (only available via MODnet computer)

There are currently a number of active applications on the system that appear out of date. These are predominantly surplus SFA or transfer applications.



It would be appreciated if Service personnel who have applied for SFA, and whose circumstances may have changed, can either update or cancel their application. This would enable the waiting lists for SFA to be better managed, focusing on those applications that still require an allocation.

Youth Employment UK

Are you aged 16-19 and thinking about your future? Our free online Explore Work Experience programme can help. It’s a handy way to explore the world of work and start thinking about what might suit you. www.youthemployment.org.uk/employment-help-young-people/explore-work-experience/

Reading Force

Please click here to view the document in full

Defence Fire & Rescue Cyprus

 

Click the image for details in English or below for:

Turkish.

Greek.

Reporting Security Incidents

O is for Overseas

Click to enlarge

 

L is for Local Information

 

Click to enlarge

Take Five To Stop Fraud - Stop, Challenge, Protect

Take five is ​a National Campaign, that offers straight-forward, impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud.

Take Five - To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk)

Have You Got Married Since The Birth Of Your Child?

If the natural parents have married each other since the birth, they need to re-register the birth so that a new birth record can be created showing the child as a child of the parents' marriage.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-re-register-a-childs-birth-following-marriage-of-natural-parents​

Autumn Driving Advice From The AA

Low sun, and the return of icy windscreens stay one step ahead of the seasonal switch in driving conditions.

AA Advice - www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/autumn ​​

National Insurance Credits for Military Spouses During Overseas Postings

 

You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re married to or the civil partner of a member of the armed forces and you go with them on an overseas posting.

Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, for example if you were not in work when you were with your partner on an overseas posting. Credits can make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

To find out more click here

Defence Discount Service

 

Autumn is just around the corner and we can't wait for the sweet smell of pumpkin spice and the crunch of leaves underfoot. It's the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy some quality time with loved ones, too.

Why not plan a fun day out with your friends, or use up that last bit of annual leave to get away for a long weekend? With Defence Discount Service, you can save on everything you'll need for a wonderful autumn adventure.

Click here to view offers 👉 http://ow.ly/lL0n50G8twe

Applying for Substitute Accomodation

 

Amey: How to Contact the Customer Service Centre

 

N is for Non UK National

 

Final reminder about deadline for MOD Education Support Fund

A reminder that the deadline for applications to the 2022 MOD Education Support Fund is 30 September 2021. Full details are on GOV.UK [and link to: MOD Education Support Fund (ESF) for schools with service children: grant application pack - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)​]​

O is for Overseas

 

Service Pupil Premium Census

 

Please click on the image to enlarge or visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/service-premium-information-for-schools for more information. 

Armed Forces Childcare Voucher scheme – Am I still eligible to claim?

Service parents are reminded to check whether they are still eligible to claim salary sacrifice for their children.

The Armed Forces Childcare Voucher Scheme (AFCVS) closed to new joiners in October 2018.  Members still in the scheme and using the vouchers are reminded that they can only claim for children up to the age of 15 (16 if they are disabled). The vouchers cannot be used after the child becomes ineligible. Service personnel must contact Sodexo to stop their claim as this does not happen automatically. Where claims have been made for children who are no longer eligible or where there are unused vouchers, Service personnel should contact Sodexo.
Scheme members who claim for ineligible children will have to repay the taxable benefit gained. Similarly, unused vouchers should be returned. The value of the unused vouchers will be reduced to reflect the tax relief that has been applied.

Please refer to AFCVS DIN for further details or contact:
DBS – DBSMilPerson-MilOps-CPMT-Mgr@mod.gov.uk
Sodexo - http://www.modchildcare.co.uk/contact-us/

Red passport holders warned to check if still valid

www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe#passport-validity

Reminder about deadline for MOD Education Support Fund

A reminder that the deadline for applications to the2022 MOD Education Support Fund is 30 September 2021. Full details are on GOV.UK (and link to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-support-fund-for-schools-with-service-children-grant-application-pack

CTP Update Their Contact Details

​​The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence official provider of resettlement and have supported leavers of the Armed Forces for many years.

They have recently updated their contact number, please click the image for further details.

HIVE Social Media

 

Lets get connected. 

Applying for Substitute Service Single Accommodation or Substitute Service Family Accommodation

Applying for Substitute Service Single Accommodation or Substitute Service Family Accommodation

Substitute Service Single Accommodation (SSSA) and Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) is provided by Mears on behalf of DIO from the private rental market across the UK. The private rental market is currently experiencing shortfalls due to private tenant demand, changes of use of properties for holiday lets and because property owners are selling lettings at a market peak.

Mears’ ability to find housing solutions for single Service personnel and Families is being impacted in certain areas of the UK, such as tourist, rural, and coastal areas. This may lead to waits for housing, widening search areas or requests to accept properties at a reduced scale (smaller size) for SSFA, in line with policy in JSP 464.

To assist Mears with housing allocation it is important Service personnel apply for accommodation as soon as possible after receiving their Assignment Order (AO) and keep up to date with their applications.

Applying for SSSA

Service personnel requiring SSSA are requested to submit E1154s to their receiving/administrative unit a minimum of 27 working days prior to their assignment date or on receipt of the AO. This is to ensure that the processing officers have notice to complete the E1154 before emailing to DIO Substitute Accommodation Team (SAT). The E1154 form can be found on the Substitute Service Accommodation page on Defnet and instructions of use are on the first page.

Where a job role is currently providing a working from home solution, it is requested that SSSA applications are approved for Service personnel with no other property to work from and that occupants commit to the 4 night rule as outlined in JSP 464 Vol 2 8.200 - Entitlement.

Applying for SSFA

On receipt of an AO, Service personnel should apply for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) through the E1132 form which can be found here.

If SFA is unavailable in the area of assignment, a Non-Availability Certificate (NAC) will be issued and the E1132 application for SFA will be updated to show the NAC has been approved.

Once this NAC has been accepted, DIO SAT will process the information from the application to Mears for the sourcing of SSFA accommodation.

TogetherAll - Procrastination Course

There can be many reasons why we procrastinate but @Togetherall has a course that can help you learn techniques to stop and become more productive. Join today to take a look around at https://bit.ly/3kDo9xv​

Saftey Tips for Sea Swimming

RBL Network for Carers

 

The Royal British Legion has announced the launch of their new Network for Carers, a two-year project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust as part of their Tackling Loneliness programme.

Network for Carers builds upon RBL's existing work by creating a new national network of social groups, offering support to carers in the Armed Forces community to help them feel less lonely and isolated because of their caring role. By connecting the carers with their shared memories and experiences, the social groups will support people to develop friendships, interests and engage more with their communities.​

Report: Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life

 

Click the photo for details.

Veterans Work: The Podcast

To download or watch the Podcast Series, visit https://bit.ly/3xaQrC3​

Post & Parcels

Future Accommodation Model (FAM)

Costco Armed Forces Membership

Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. We provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of speciality departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. We are confident in the quality and value of our products, and we stand behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction. For more information and to preview our warehouses visit www.costco.co.uk/join

Individual Membership

The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £28 ex VAT (£33.60 inc VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. To sign up for membership in the warehouse, please provide your employee ID card or current payslip to prove your employment, PLUS one piece of photographic identification.

Future Accommodation Model Update

 

Research Project: Accessibility of NHS Dental Services for British Army families

Over 37 Provision: Waiver of SLA Accommodation Charges

Over 37 Provision: Waiver of SLA Accommodation Charges; widening of E&E.

Background. The Over 37 Provision is intended to support Service Personnel in the latter stages of their career to settle their family and serve unaccompanied. To enable and support this provision SP can access a SLA waiver of accommodation charges. This supports unaccompanied service in the latter part of a SP career.

Ref. JSP 752 Version 47 dated 1 Jul 21 Ch 12 Sect 7.

Policy Development. From 1 Jul 21 the SLA waiver element of the Over 37 Provision will be widened. Historically this has been linked to the UK and has not been accessible to SP with a Specified Personal Residence (SPR) overseas. This restriction to the SLA waiver will be removed.

The SLA waiver authority has been moved from JSP 752 to JSP 464. While policy direction exists in JSP 752 the authority for this policy now rests within JSP 464 coalesced with the other Service SLA waivers. This policy change is expected to impact c.140 SP who have family overseas and have, up to 1 Jul 21, been charged SLA accommodation rates. APSG have reinforced this policy change down the FC. Units have been directed to review their affected cohort in line with the updated JSP 752 policy (Ref A).

Brexit changes to moving - Transfer of Residence

                               

As part of the UK leaving the EU, there have been changes to the regulations affecting those moving to and from Europe. More information can be found via the Agility Website which explains who is affected and why.