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Grants for Disabled Veterans











National Charities




The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust makes grants to support the Armed Forces Community.

It offers two grant programmes:

Armed Forces Covenant Local Grants Programme

This makes grants of up to £20,000 for local projects that support community integration or local delivery of services such as financial advice, housing or other support.  Applications may be made at any time.

The Serious Stress in Veterans, Carers and Families Programme

This programme will make provide approximately 5 grants to Single Lead Organisations (one at least for each region of the UK).  The aim is to help veterans with severe mental health needs who do not meet the usual criteria of hospitalisation and impatient treatment.  

www.covenantfund.org.uk







Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is a compensation package for members and former members of the armed services for injuries, illness or death which occured as a result of service.

The Veterans Agency www.veterans-uk.info provide support with applications and have a freephone Help Line 0800 169 2777.

www.gov.uk







Be the Boss

"Be the Boss" is a Government funded scheme run by the British Legion to help UK service leavers plan, fund and grow their own small business.

It is open to all former members of the armed services regardless of discharge date. It welcomes applications from service leavers with an injury, disability, or long term health condition.

The scheme can provide funding up to £7,500 to start up a business or funding up to £30,000 to devleop an existing business that has been trading for between 12 and 24 months. The money is a mixture of grants and loans provided in £500 increments.

A one-off feasibility grant of £250 is also available to applicants to market test their idea.

Advice, guidance and mentoring will be provided as part of the scheme. "Be the Boss" is not means tested.

Further information is available on CivvyStreet, the British Legion website for jobs and employment: www.civvystreet.org and on the Legion website, www.britishlegion.org.uk Telephone: 0800 009 8015 E-mail: betheboss@civvystreet.org

www.civvystreet.org







Help the Heroes

Help the Heroes provides practical support for wounded, injured and sick veterans in the UK.

It offers a national network of support for the veterans and their families.

Individual Support is given through the Quick Reaction Fund - remarkably it can provide financial support within 72 hours.  It provides funds to purchase equipment, home adaptations, travel costs for the family to see their loved one or anything else that can alleviate distress.

The Help the Heroes Band of Brothers gives live-long support and opportunities to veterans with life-changing injury or illness.  This might include holidays, days out and employment opportunities.

The charity also provides rehabilitation through its recovery centres. Sports Recovery programme and H4H Career Recovery.

These together with their other programmes all offer veterans the chance to rebuild their lives after injury or illness .

To apply: email grants@helpforheroes.org.uk or telephone: 01989 844354

www.helpforheroes.org.uk







The Royal British Legion

The British Legion provide support to serving and ex-service people and their families.

It runs a number of grant and loan schemes:

Everyday Needs Grants

Financial support to help with the increased cost of living to help pay essential costs such as energy, utilities and sudden expenses.

Crisis Grants

Small hardship grants for emergency situations such as:

  • a funeral, furniture and household appliances
  • Food and clothing
  • Help with accommodation

Homelessness

Support and practical assistance to every ex service personal and their families who are either homeless or in temporary accommodation.

Mobility Aids and Equipment Grants

Support to help gain access to services or assistance for mobility equipment and home adaptations.

Children's Welfare Scheme

Offer grants to families and single parent towards the cost of essential items for their children.

Presidents Award Scheme (PAS)

Offers two separate bursaries:

Educational Scholarships - up to £1500 for dependents of serving and ex-service personnel including their spouses.

Educational Grants - up to £500 for ex-service personal, dependents, spouses/partners wishing to complete an education course or re-training scheme.

External Grants

The External Grants programme is open to charities who intend to fund specialist projects and services for serving and ex service personnel and their families.

Guidelines and an application form can be downloaded from the website.

Adventure Breaks

The British Legion offers free one week adventure breaks to the children of serving and ex service men and women in the armed forces.

It is open to young people aged between 12 and 17 years.

The British Legion is also able to help with applications for state benefits including disability benefits.  It will also provide representation at tribunals.

www.britishlegion.org.uk







The Employment Support Grant

The Employment Support Grant is run by the British Legion and funded by the annual Popply Appeal to support entry into employment.

It is open to ex service personnel who are resident in the UK, unemployed or on means tested benefits and in financial need.

The grant is to pay for a recognised skills training course with a direct link to future employment. It will not fund training that could be funded from statutory sources.

The amount of grant will be determined on a case by case basis but it unlikely that an applicant will be awarded more than £1,500.

To apply complete the on-line application form or telephone: 0800 169 4073

www.civvystreet.org








The Not Forgotten Association

The Association provides leisure and recreation opportunities to serving and ex-service personnel who have been wounded or have a permanent injury.

It helps in the provision of holidays, days out, entertainment at care homes. It also provides large screen televisions and television licences to individual veterans and care homes.

Beneficiaries are usually identified by other user groups such as The Royal British Legion and veterans groups who refer them to the Association. An on-line contact form is available.

Telephone: 020 7730 2400

www.nfassociation.org






By Condition




BLESMA The Limbless Veterans

BLESMA provides support to service men and women who lose limbs, eyes or use of limbs or sight.

It is able to offer grants to make life easier to pay for items such as wheelchairs, stairlifts and car adaptations.

To find out more information contact Blesma, 185-187 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex RM6 6NA Telephone: 0208 548 3516 or e-mail: membergrants@blesma.org

The organisation is also able to help with rehabilitation and advice.

www.blesma.org







Blind Veterans UK (St Dunstans)

St Dunstans helps blind ex service men and women lead independent and fulfilling lives.  This includes older veterans who may have served National Service and suffered sight loss through old age.

It provides a range of services to support blind veterans including grants towards specialist equipment, computers and access equipment.

To apply: download an application form or telephone: 0800 389 7979.

www.blindveterans.org.uk






 

Combat stress

Although the Combat Stress charity does not provide grants it is included as all of it's services are free to Veterans suffering from mental health conditions or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It offers a 24 hour confidential help-line: 0800 138 1619, a community outreach service, clinical treatments at residential centres and a six week programme of treatment and rehabilitation.

The charity provides specialised treatments in an ex service environment. It also enables them to meet other veterans who have had similar experiences to their own.

www.combatstress.org.uk






By Service/Regiment




The Burma Star Association

The Burma Star Association helps their members with welfare needs such as care or financial help.

Local branches have a Welfare Officer who is there for the needs of Old Comrades.

To find out the address of your local branch contact the Burma Star Association at 4 Lower Belgrave Street, London SW1 OLA  Telephone: 020-7823-4283

www.burmastar.org.uk







RAF Disabled Holiday Trust

The Trust helps serving and ex RAF personnel of any rank (and their dependants) with a severe disability take holidays in the UK and abroad.

Most disabling conditions are accepted and may have occurred in or out of service.

The full cost of the accommodation is covered by the Trust as it invests in a holiday bond providing access to self catering properties in the UK and overseas.  

To apply: complete the online form.

Telephone: 020 7307 3438

www.rafbf.org







Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF)

The RAFBF supports serving and past members of the RAF/WRAF including their partners and children (up to 18 years).

It is able to help with:

  • Welfare breaks at one of their cottages or homes
  • Death and disablement in service support by helping with housing and educational costs
  • Property repairs if you are experiencing financial difficulties
  • Assistance if you or your dependants have a disability - this may include help to adapt your home, disability equipment and the loan of electric wheelchairs and scooters.
  • Additional assistance to pay for care where the Local Authority are not funding the full cost
  • Grants for essential items such as white goods (washing machine, fridges etc).

Applications can be made direct using the on-line form on the website.

Telephone: 0800 169 2942

www.rafbf.org







The Royal Engineers Association

The Royal Engineers Association provides financial assistance and other help to serving and former members of the Corps and their dependents.

It supports those who are in need through poverty.

Further information can be obtained by email: benevolence@reahq.org.uk Telephone: 01634 822982

www.reahq.org.uk







The Royal Marines Charity

The Royal Marines Charity helps serving and former marines from financial assistance to finding a second meaningful career.

It is able to offer:

  • Welfare grants - to help in times of difficulty such as funeral arrangements, medical treatment, unemployment or other needs
  • Amenity grants - towards welfare and social activities, adventure training and sport, serving Corps and veteran events.
  • Transition support - for those leaving the Corps. Priority to marines facing a medical discharge.
  • Opportunities - identifies vacancies suitable to ex marines

Further information and application details can be found on the website.

www.theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk







The Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation (RMNEF)

The RMNEF is an educational charity helping needy children of merchant navy seafarers, professional sea-going fishermen and RNLI lifeboat crew members.

It is able to help with everything from school fees, textbooks, uniforms to computers and internet access.

The Foundation supports at any stage of educational development from birth to obtaining professional career entry qualifications.

To apply: contact initially by letter or email: office@rmnef.org.uk  to find out if you qualify for support. If agreed the charity will send an application form.

www.rmnef.org.uk







The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT)

The RNBT helps serving and former Royal Naval ratings and Royal Marines other ranks and their dependents.

It gives a wide range of financial help to those in need which might include:

  • Specialist equipment for a disabled child
  • Essential household goods
  • Contribution to the cost of a mobility scooter
  • Furniture
  • Funeral expenses
  • Respite breaks

Applications are made through the RNBT by telephone, email or letter.  Once contact has been mad a caseworker will visit to complete the application form.

Grants are also given to other charities who support the RNBT family.

The Trust runs a care home in Kent and a community of six cottages for older or disabled members of the RNBT family.

www.rnbt.org.uk







Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund

The Royal Observer Benevolent Fund provides assistance and relief to former members of the Royal Observer Corps and their dependents who are in need, hardship or distress.

Eligibility extends to widows, widowers and dependents.

The fund is able to help financially through:

  • Mobility aids, scooter and wheelchairs
  • Debt relief
  • Essential home repairs or modifications
  • Respite care

Applications should be made in writing to:

The Secretary, Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund, 120 Perry Hall Road, Orpington, Kent BR OEF  or use the online form on the website.

www.rocbf.org.uk







The Royal Regiment of Artillery

The RA Charitable Fund financially supports all past and present officers and soldiers including their dependents who are in need.

Each case is judged on it's own merits and assistance can be offered quickly to all members of the Gunner family.

To find out more contact: rarhq-racf-welfare-mailbox@mod.uk or telephone: 01980 845233

www.theraa.co.uk







The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers looks after their soldiers and their families both in services and after they have retired.

The Fusilier Aid Society (FAS) provides grants to those who have have physical and mental issues and to those who are struggling financially.

It offers:

  • £1,000 to an ex Fusilier with a disabled child.
  • £1,00 to an ex Fusilier in debt or threatened with eviction.
  • £1,000 to an ex Fusilier for house adaptions to help cope with disability.  The Soldiers Charity (formally The Army Benevolent Fund) also supports with £1,190.
  • £982 to ex Fusilier (aged 88 years) for an electrically powered vehicle.
  • £1,000 to widow of ex Lancashire Fusilier for a stairlift. The Soldiers Charity also supports with £1,570 and Help the Heroes with £2,500.
  • £400 to an ex Fusilier for boiler repairs.

www.thefusiliers.org







Royal Signals Benevolent Fund (RSBF)

The RSBF helps past and present signallers and their families and dependents with life saving grants.

It provides funding to signallers or ex signallers who are suffering from hardship or distress.

Applications for grants must be supported by an independent report from a welfare organisation such as the SSAFA, Royal British Legion or the Officers Association.

www.royalsignals.org







The Soldiers' Charity (ABF)

The Soldiers' Charity provides lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers including the Reserve Army (TA) and their families.

It provides grants in 7 areas:

  • Annuities - as a supplement for older veterans and their widows living alone on a basic state pension
  • Care home fees - to top up support for older veterans and their widows where local authority payments are insufficient
  • Bursaries -  to help retrain soldiers with disabilities covering course fees and equipment.  Also support for ex-soldiers undertaking higher education courses and funding for continuing education of soldier's children who have died or been disabled in service.
  • Holiday schemes - providing short breaks for families under stress and for service children with special needs to have a holiday.
  • Special Funds - to assist soldiers who have been injured in Northern Ireland, the Falklands Campaign or the Gulf War.  Also to help dependents of those killed in these campaigns.  This area also includes The George Purse Trust to provide grants to those who live in Wales and are in need of respite care.
  • General Needs - grants providing support that can't be meet from any other source - including mobility aids such as wheelchairs, stairlifts etc
  • Current Operations Fund - for soldiers injured in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and may include retraining a disabled soldier or holiday funds for a war window and her family.

Applications for serving soldiers should be made through their Regimental or Corps Association and former soldiers should follow three simple steps.

www.soldierscharity.org







SSAFA

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) provides help and support to existing and past service personnel and their families.

It offers a wide range of services including:

  • Rehabilitation for injured servicemen and women
  • A confidential helpline (Forcesline)
  • Additional needs and disability support such as four holidays a years for children with special needs and their siblings
  • Short stay accomodation for families visiting injured relatives
  • Financial assistance for a wide range of needs
  • Funding for home adaptations or specialist disability equipment unavailable from statutory sources.
  • Residential care for those with disabilities

The help is available to almost anyone with a service connection.

Further information can be found on the SSAFA website.

www.ssafa.org.uk







Women's Royal Naval Service Benevolent Fund

The Trust helps woman who served in the Woman's Royal Naval Service by providing relief at difficult times or distress.

This includes woman who served in the WRNS since 3rd September 1939 and women who served in the WRNS and were transferred before 1st November 1993.  Both officers and ratings.

It able to provide regular grants for those living on low income or in a care home and payments towards bills, clothing and household goods.

It also awards one off grants that may be used to pay for convalescence care, education, household goods, medical aids and funerals.

Applications should be made to the Grants Administrator email: grantsadmin@wrnsbt.org.uk, through the SSFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families Association or the Royal British Legion.

www.wrnbt.org.uk









Other Military Charities


AJEX

AJEX is the Association of Jewish ex servicemen and women.

It offers grants to it's members and their families who find themselves in difficulty, in need of medical, housing and other essential everyday needs.

www.ajex.org.uk







See also:


Naval Children's Charity (for children and young people aged 25 years and under of serving and served naval personnel)


Stratus Flying Charity (for free flying lessons towards private pilot's license)








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