Universal Credit for Armed Forces personnel posted overseas

 

Serving Personnel and families are entitled to claim Universal Credit, regardless of their location. This means families stationed overseas can submit claims in the same way as those in the UK.

Please click here to find out more

Medway Business Advice Service

Medway businesses connect with the Business Advice Service and get support to help businesses grow.

Medway has a diverse economy made up of more than 14,000 businesses.

The aim is to support business to deliver projects that can make Medway an economic powerhouse.

 

The Business Advice Service and local network offers impartial business advice to companies of all sizes and in all sectors. Designed to help guide local businesses to find solutions best suited to their own needs.

 
Resources include:

- Free business planning advice
- Help to access funding in the form of grants and loans
- Help finding the ideal Medway location for your business
- Support in recruiting staff and apprentices
- Advice on business start-up and licensing a business

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East

Hampshire County Council is proud to be part of Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East is a cross border partnership comprising Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils, Brighton and Hove, Medway Councils and Sussex NHS.

It is a two-year Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Funded Programme aimed at making it easier for servicemen and women and their families, as well as reservists and veterans, to access public sector services including healthcare, housing, schools, financial advice and support to find jobs.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Lyneham: Cost of living support leaflet from the Royal Wootton Basset & Cricklade Community Area

 

Please click the images to enlarge

Alternatively please click here to view a PDF document with live links to the above-listed websites

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

KCC: The Kent Money Advice Hub

 

'People go to the Money Advice Hub  with a lot on their shoulders, and they finish the call with an instant sense of relief and an increase in confidence.'

Are you worrying about money? The Kent Money Advice Hub could help you.

 
https://loom.ly/NFlSts8

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Northern Ireland: Education Authority Funding Allocations

 

EA Youth Service are delighted to announce the release of a number of funding awards for 2025/26:

- Local Project
- Regional Development
- Regional Project

We are holding a number of online support workshops to assist groups with registration, application support and reporting procedures.

For more information, please visit: https://ow.ly/XZ1450UBTFb

For all other Education Authority Funding, please click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Service community discounts - make yourself a 2025 priority and make savings

 

As we welcome the new year, January provides the perfect opportunity to focus on your wellbeing and make yourself a priority.

From boosting your fitness, improving mental health, and focusing on nutrition, to spending quality time with loved ones, the discounts available as part of ‘Your Offer’ in Defence can help kickstart a positive and balanced year ahead.

Your discounts can be accessed from:

Northern Ireland: NIDirect.GOV.UK Cold Weather Payments

 

If you're receiving certain benefits, you could qualify for extra money for each week there is very cold weather in your area. This is known as a Cold Weather Payment.

Click here for more details

Information provided by HIVE NI

Hampshire: Operation Signature Hampshire Constabulary - help protect against fraud

Click image for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Chepstow: Star Legal Community Hub - First Thursday of the month at Chepstow Library

Our Community Hubs are starting up again! If you need any initial advice on Family & Children matters or Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney, pop in to see us at Chepstow Library this Thursday 9th January and thereafter every first Thursday of the month.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Monmouthshire: Cost of Living Support

Do you live in Monmouthshire? Are you struggling with your fuel bills?
Severn Wye - the new home energy advice and community-based support team is here to help tackle your energy bills and keep you warm.

Click here to find out more about how we can help and how to get in touch.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub. 

Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money

Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference.

Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.

Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en​ and you can download the leaflet HERE.

Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download.

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council money worries

Please click on the link below to access the HCC website that provides vital information for families who may be struggling due to the cost of living crisis with lots of useful links.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Fife: Do you need help with debt?

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Monmouthshire: Finding it difficult to pay your mortgage?

Finding it hard to make your mortgage payments?

The Help to Stay scheme might be able to help.

Check if you’re eligible and find out more

Get help paying your mortgage with a Help to Stay shared equity loan | GOV.WALES

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Wiltshire: How and where you can apply for support from Household Support Fund 6

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that it will continue to work in partnership with a number of local organisations and internal departments to distribute the £2.7 million Household Support Fund 6 from UK Government. Information on how and where to apply is available on the following page of the Wiltshire Council website:

How and where you can apply for support from HSF6

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

South West: Credit advice from the Money & Pensions Service SW team

 

Credit can help you manage your money - whether you're looking to cover planned expenses or need to meet unexpected costs. The vast majority of us will use some form of credit at various points in life, but it's really important to use it in the right way. There are many different channels of credit, and they all have a similar purpose.

Click here to read more from the Money & Pensions Services South West team

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

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.

Please click here for further information

Fife: Our Fife help with the cost of living

If you’re feeling worried about debt or falling behind on bills, you are not alone. High costs of energy, food and fuel mean that many people are finding it impossible to keep up.

The Staying Safe and Keeping Well Booklet is designed to empower and educate, making it an invaluable tool for residents looking to enhance their wellbeing or who may need additional support over the festive period. Click on the image 👆 to read.

From emergency contacts to local community initiatives, take a moment to explore its pages and discover the wealth of resources available to support you

There’s lots of help available at our.fife.scot/gethelp/income, including a benefit checker to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled too.

Citizens Advice & Rights Fife Money Advice team can also work with you to help you take control of your finances.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

HM Government Money & Pensions Service - Money Helper: Credit unions and other alternatives to high-cost credit

 
This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide is for you if you need access to credit but you can’t use a mainstream lender and you don’t want to use a payday loan or other forms of high-cost credit. When you read it, you’ll know:

• how credit unions work and how they can help you
• how to join a credit union
• what other sources of fair and affordable credit might be available to you.​

To view this guide please click HERE

More information can be found on the Money Helper website at https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit

For the Service community, there are three MOD-endorsed credit unions - see https://www.joiningforcescu.co.uk/​