The Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans

On 2 March 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) jointly commissioned an Independent Review of UK Government welfare services for veterans. The review was to investigate the role, scope and breadth of UK Government welfare provision for veterans, including by the MOD under the Veterans UK banner.​

The review can be read HERE​

Regional Command (HIVE & Family Support) Non-UK National Support

 

Pinnacle Group Free Coaching & Mentoring

 

Mankind: Acorn Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse

 

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) eligibility criteria has been expanded from Autumn term 2023

Great news from WAC!!

FTRS (all commitment types) and personnel Serving overseas unaccompanied voluntarily with family remaining in the UK will be eligible to claim from autumn 23 (so long as other criteria are met).

​Check Discover My Benefits for more information over summer via the relevant link for each Service Discover my Benefits Army, RAF, Navy or Marines

Op Fortitude

 

AFCFT - Veterans' Mobility Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are pleased to announce a brand new, highly specialist grant programme – the Veterans’ Mobility Fund. This fund is for an experienced Charity who will act as a Lead Organisation, providing onwards grants to veterans with physical disabilities via an externally delegated grant scheme.​

Full details can be found HERE

Blind Veterans UK

Please click here Blind Veterans to read this month's update.

Recruit for Spouses Job Vacancies: Engineers Wanted (Project Manager, Senior & Principal) & Field Communications Specialist

Please visit: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk​

Defence Transition Services: Civilian Housing Briefs Sept to Dec 23

For all platforms please, with link to register: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing​

Afghanistan: Voices of Service

Op RESTORE - The New Name for the Veterans Trauma Network

Op RESTORE is the new name for the Veterans Trauma Network.

CLICK HERE​ for full details

Defence Domestic Abuse Survivor Community & Awareness Network - for anyone employed by MOD

People given even more time to pay National Insurance contributions towards their State Pension

The Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions deadline to 5 April 2025, to give people even more time to fill gaps in their NI record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension when they retire. The deadline was previously July 2023.

Extending the voluntary NI contributions deadline for another two years also means people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them.

As part of the transition to the new State Pension, people have been able to pay these contributions to make up any incomplete years between April 2006 and April 2016. Some of the people likely to be affected include those who may have been unemployed during this period, off work because of caring responsibilities or living abroad*.
Further information and guidance are available on GOV.UK.
*This includes those posted overseas; Service spouses can apply for NI credits for periods 1975 onwards where they accompanied their serving partner overseas. For full details and the application forms please see National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)