NHS dental care updates

 Patients across the country will soon benefit from improved access to dental care under changes recently announced by NHS England. New reforms include more dental therapists who will be able to accept patients for NHS treatments, freeing up dentists' time for urgent and complex cases. Further details can be found on the NHS England website.

In the meantime, the Forces Families Federations have a list of recommendations to help you find an NHS dentist.

You may also be able to find new local options on the Dental Choices website.​

Togetherall: Accessing a safe space to talk

 

It can be hard opening up about our mental health, especially with those closest to us. Togetherall offers an anonymous community of like-minded individuals where you can get (or give) support. This asset can be used to remind the UK military audience that Togetherall is available to them.​

Armed Forces link: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

Togetherall: Setting yourself up for Success

Sometimes we can all feel stuck, down or demotivated. Whether it's work, relationships or just everyday life itself, Togetherall have suggested some helpful techniques to manage these feelings and become more productive, motivated and happy. These assets showcase Togetherall's journaling and goal setting tool, as well as the self-help course: 'Improving your sleep'.

Setting-yourself-up-for-success-animation.mp4

For updates on the MOD accommodation contracts

 

For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

​You can also subscribe to the page to receive email updates.

Young Minds

 

Do you have a young person that struggles with mental health? Do you want to support them but unsure how? Young Minds is there for you, providing practical support and information together with a helpline and webchat.


https://www.y​oungminds.org.uk/parent/#main-content

Kids eat free this Summer

 

                           To find places where Kids Eat Free During School Half Terms in 2022 click HERE

Children's Commissioner - Resources for children and young people, Back into school resources

 

The Children's Commissioner has posted some resources to support children and young people, useful to take a look at.​

Find them here.​

Heat Illness - Exertional Activity

 

HMRC - It's Time To Renew Your Tax Credits

 

You need to complete your Tax Credit renewal by 31 July. Renewing online is quick and easy and customers can log into GO​V.UK​ to check on the progress of their renewal.

https://www.gov.uk/manage-your-tax-credits?​​

British Cycling free family events

                                             

 

Please click HERE for more information 

Op-ed: A message to veterans' and their families

To read the full An opinion piece by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, please click here
​

Little Troopers - All Together in the Trees

We’re excited to announce the first “All Together” event, an adventure day in the trees. The inaugural event of our All Together deployment club will see 80 children take part in a Go-Ape challenge across the country on 29th July 2022. 

The Go-Ape Treetop Adventure is a high ropes activity with intricate tree-to-tree crossings, wobbly bridges and brilliant zip wires. Little Troopers aged 7- 13 years old will be able to meet up with others like them for a fun adventure. The Go-Ape event will be open to 7-13 year old little troopers, who have parents deployed during the summer holidays.

There will be 10 places available on the 29th July 2022, at the following locations;

• DalKeith Edinburgh​
  
• Dalby Forset Yorkshire
• Thetford Forest Suffolk
• Forest of Dean
• Wendover, Chilterns
• Alice Holt, Surrey
• Moors Valley, Hampshire
• Haldon, Devon

For more information and how to book, click here. 

Join the University Officers' Training Corps

 

Studying at university from this September? Join the University Officers' Training Corps to gain new skills, make friends for life, and have adventures.

More information can be found HERE

National Highways advice

​With Summer holidays upon us, don't forget to check your tyre pressure and get to your destination safely.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/tyre-checks/

For updates on the MOD accommodation contracts

 

For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

​You can also subscribe to the page to receive email updates.

Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax - REBATE FAQs

CONTRIBUTION IN LIEU OF COUNCIL TAX (CILOCT) REBATE - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Council Tax rebate?

HMG announced on 3 Feb 22 that qualifying households would receive a £150 rebate of Council Tax (CT) to assist with the increase in the cost of living caused by sharp rises in energy bills. The council tax rebate will provide a payment of £150 to households living in CT bands A to D. Local councils are responsible for determining who is eligible and making payments.

To ensure that SP are not disadvantaged by their Service the framework of the national policy was used to devise a MoD scheme to mirror the intent for those paying CILOCT.

Will I be eligible for the rebate?

SPs paying for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Substitute SFA (SSFA) rates of CILOCT on 1 April 2022, for Type A, B, C, D, DS, 5 or 5S accommodation are eligible.


Do I have to apply for the rebate?

No, it will automatically be paid to the SP who are paying CILOCT through their pay.


When will I receive it?

You will receive it in the July 2022 payroll, no later than 31 July 2022.

Do I have to repay the £150?

No, it is a one-off payment.

How do I know what Type of SFA I am in?

The information is recorded on JPA and is on your pay statement and if you do not know how to find it, contact you unit administration staff for assistance.

Information on SFA Type can be found at https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/sites/defnet/HOCS/Pages/JSP464.aspx

I am not eligible, why?

Those not eligible are SP not paying for Type A, B, C, D, DS, 5 or 5S as at 1 April 2022.

I was in an eligible SFA on 1 April 2022 but since have moved into a private residence; am I still eligible for the rebate?

Yes, providing you met the eligibility criteria and are still currently serving.

What if I was not paying for an eligible SFA Type as at 1 April 2022 yet moved and was shortly afterwards; will I receive the rebate?

No, unfortunately not. Similar to the national scheme it is determined as at 1 April 2022.

What if I am occupying an SFA that is considered ineligible, yet paying for a SFA that is eligible; can I get the rebate?

The methodology is based on what SFA Type you are paying for as at 1 April 2022, not what you are residing in. You will gain the rebate if you meet the eligibility criteria

I have read the information and believe I am eligible but did not receive the £150 in the Jul 22 payroll; who do I seek support from?

You should contact your unit Administrators who manage your pay in the first instance and if required they can escalate to the sS Housing points of contact.

Where can I get further information?

Government information can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet

Information on SFA Type can be found at:

https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/sites/defnet/HOCS/Pages/JSP464.aspx

Will I be taxed on my rebate of £150?

No, you will not be taxed and will receive a full £150 as technically this is a refund of a charge for which you have already paid tax. This mirrors the payments made under the main council tax rebate scheme. They too are non-taxable, and you don't need to inform HMRC of the amounts received on your Self-Assessment tax returns.

I am in receipt of tax credits, will my rebate impact those credits?

No, as these payments are non-taxable, they don't impact tax credits.

I am a Service Leaver (SL) yet did pay CILOCT on 1 Apr 22 for an eligible SFA; will I be reimbursed?

Yes, providing you have not changed/closed bank accounts, you will receive the rebate as your payroll account is still live for a period of time after you leave the Services.

Why are personnel living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) not eligible for a rebate?

The three daily rates of CILOCT for those living in SLA are very low. Moreover, those in SLA will not be subject to the same cost of living increase, caused by sharp rises in energy bills and therefore fall outside of the scheme intent.

Are Partnering Nations / Foreign Exchange Officers who occupy SFA in the UK eligible for the rebate?

No, as they do not pay CILOCT and therefore are outside the intent of the scheme.

Why were MOD bandings used instead of council tax bands?

All UK SFA is categorised by the Combined Accommodation Assessment System (CAAS) on JPA and not civilian council tax banding. The methodology replicates the intent of the national scheme as closely as possible.

Connected Forces - Online Book Clubs

 

We are delighted to be working with Reading Force to launch a new Connected Forces online book club. Participants on the Connected Forces platform will be able to register to receive three free books and a book journal, which will be sent directly to them from Reading Force. There will be an opportunity to meet together online once a month to chat about the book.

Interested students who are 16-19 years old and from UK Armed Forces family can join by signing up to the Connected Forces platform here: Brightside Mentoring (connectedforces.org) The project code if required is OHJDJE.

Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax (CILOCT) rebate

 

Walking with the Wounded - The Veterans' Places, Pathways and People Programme (VPPP)

 

RBLI Lifeworks Open Day in Kent, 28th July

Open day on 28th July at RBLI, Capel Morris Centre, Aylesford, Kent

• The day will include:Meet and greet Lifeworks staff
• Intro to the new Lifeworks Programme
• Lifeworks demonstrations throughout the day
• Village tours including BBMC factory
• Networking with RBLI staff, Veterans, and friends
• Refreshments ​

British Sign Language (BSL) users can now contact the emergency services using the 999 BSL app or website

British Sign Language (BSL) users can now contact the emergency services using the 999 BSL app or website. The new service allows users to contact the emergency services through a British Sign Language interpreter, via live video link. To learn more visit HERE