Chepstow: Help if you are struggling with Living Costs

Many residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That’s why it’s important to know what help and support is available now – that could benefit you, a relative, friend or neighbour. To view sources of support offered by the Forest of Dean District Council please click here.

Information provided by St Athan HIVE.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme - 2015 Remedy updates published

A booklet entitled '2015 PENSION REMEDY: Consultation Response and key details you need to know' has been published today on Gov.uk, and several other guidance documents have also been uploaded recently.

To view these documents, please click HERE

Kent County Council: Household Support Fund

 

Kent County Council is  offering support with a one-off £100 food voucher for eligible households in Kent.  If you or someone you know is struggling then they may be able to get help from the Household Support Fund 

Act now as the scheme closes on 14 September 2023 or when the budget is spent.


Visit kent.gov.uk/householdsupportfund to find out more and apply.

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Shopshire: Cost of living help

This information has been brought together by Shropshire Council with its partners to support our residents at this challenging and worrying time.

Information provided by: Lichfield HIVE Hub

Dept for Work and Pensions weekly update

Information regarding the move from Tax Credits to Universal Credits (UC) is now available online.

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme

This document lists the employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, and their status (committed, employer or leader) to end of July 2023.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reminding bereaved parents to check their eligibility for financial support. In February 2023 the government extended eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance to cohabiting parents with dependent children. The benefits are designed to help with the financial impact of losing a partner.

Previously these benefits were only available to eligible bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership, but the law was changed to make it fairer to children.

When DWP extended eligibility in February 2023, it opened a 12-month window for cohabiting parents to backdate their claims. This means parents whose partner died before 9 February 2023 have until 8 February 2024 to claim. After this, it will not be possible to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance and parents will not get their full entitlement to a backdated payment of Bereavement Support Payment

Catterick: Cost of living campaign - Every penny counts!

Click on the image above to get more information!

Information provided by Catterick HIVE Hub

 

Serve and Protect Credit Union – fixed term savings account (5% return)

 

New and existing members can benefit from a 12-month fixed rate savings account which guarantees a return of 5% AER. The account will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis and is available for a limited period. The closing date for applications on Thursday, 27 July 2023*.

Moving forward the credit union will be aiming to launch similar Fixed Term savings products on a quarterly basis as we respond to market rates.

Key features for the Fixed Saver include:

​- Deposit between £1,000 and £10,000

- Fixed term of 12 months

- Receive a guaranteed return of 5% AER

- Savings are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000

To learn more about the Fixed Saver, visit: https://www.serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver

*Please note – due to limited availability S&P CU reserve the right to withdraw the product early depending on demand.

Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) update

 

Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024
Guidance on getting extra payments to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.

5 July 2023 - Added guidance on how to report a missing £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.

New law to ensure domestic abuse victims receive child maintenance gets Royal Assent
A Bill ensuring victims of domestic abuse can receive child maintenance without contact from their abuser has received Royal Assent on Thursday, 29 June 2023.

DWP launches new Midlife MOT website
A new online Midlife MOT has been launched to help older workers with financial planning, health guidance, and to assess what their skills mean for their careers and futures.

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)

National Cyber Security Centre - phishing: spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and calls

 

'Phishing' is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. The aim is often to make you visit a website, which may download a virus onto your computer, or steal bank details or other personal information.

This link explains how to report phishing attempts, and protect yourself from scammers.

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

Find out more HERE

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

DWP Universal Credit update - massive boost to childcare payments marks first step in largest ever expansion of childcare

Universal Credit's maximum childcare payments will rise nearly 50% – up to £1,630 per month – from 28 June.

• Additional support worth up to £522 a month for families
• Many parents will get help from DWP immediately with their first bill – instead of in arrears – to help them manage their budgets
• Comes alongside plans to boost childcare workforce to deliver historic expansion of free childcare from nine months to the start of school

As part of the Government's biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support worth a total of £900 million from 28 June.

Later this month, the Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents in Great Britain can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal Credit up to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two or more children. This is a rise of 47% from the previous limits of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children.

At the same time, the Government will help eligible parents cover the costs for the first month's childcare when they enter work or significantly increase their hours, removing one of the most significant barriers to parents working and helping to grow the economy. Those parents will also receive up to 85% of their childcare costs back before their next month's bills are due – meaning they should have money to pay one month in advance going forward.

Further information at this LINK

Rutland Cottesmore: Citizens Advice Rutland is here to help

 In addition to our general advice service, we offer free, confidential and independent debt and budgeting advice. We have qualified Money Advice Caseworkers who can help people work out their budget, check they're receiving everything that they're entitled to and assist them with putting a debt solution in place if needed. 

Information provided by Cottemore HIVE

Rutland Cottesmore: Universal Credit & The Military

 

Information provided by Cottesmore HIVE

Help for households and cost of living payments

 

QR codes should be scanned from a personal non-MOD device only

Please click the following link for further information: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Service Personnel

 

MOD is re-evaluating the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme and Life Insurance Scheme offer for personnel. A procurement exercise has been completed and we are pleased to announce that a new Broker, The Risk Factor, has been appointed. Initial discussions have taken place, and our priority is the continuation of appropriate cover for existing policyholders with as little disruption as possible.

As this is a new supplier, insurance products will no longer be branded as PAX. Existing PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme members should note that a replacement Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (providing similar benefits) will be introduced on 1 June 2023, for which they will need to apply if they wish to maintain Personal Accident Insurance cover. There will be no automatic transfer from PAX to the new provider.

There is no action for policyholders to take at this point. Once arrangements for how to join the new Insurance Scheme(s) have been finalised these details will be made available along with the new Scheme’s policy terms and conditions so individuals can make an informed choice based on their requirements (we expect this to be mid-May).

MOD personnel: please see 2023DIN01-023

Serve and Protect Credit Union launches its first ever fixed-rate savings account!

Serve and Protect Credit Union launches its first ever fixed-rate savings account!

Serve and Protect Credit Union has launched an exciting new product, called the Fixed Saver.

This is the first time in the credit union’s history that a fixed-rate savings account has been offered to members. The Fixed Saver provides returns of up to 3.50% AER, with terms available for 6 or 12 months. The longer you save, the more interest you can earn.

The Fixed Saver will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis, and will be available for a limited period, with the closing date to open an account being Thursday, 27 April 2023. However, this could be withdrawn earlier.

Some of the key features for the Fixed Saver include:

- Fixed terms available for 6 or 12 months

- Invest between £500 and £5,000

- Earn between 3.04% and 3.50% AER

- Savings protected by the FSCS up to £85,000

To learn more about the Fixed Saver, visit: https://www.serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver

Serve and Protect continues to provide a wide range of support for savers, including:

- Regular Saver o Save monthly from £10 per month

- Flexi Saver o Deposit lump sums up to £40,000

- Junior Saver o Save for your children or grandchildren

- PrizeSaver o Deposit £1-£200 to enter a monthly draw to win £5,000

To view the range of savings accounts offered by Serve and Protect Credit Union, visit:

https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save

Looking for advice on how to save money on your energy bills?

Click here to visit the website for further details on how energy saving actions and more can add up to big savings.

Rutland Cottesmore: Cost of living support in Rutland

Please tap the image to read the booklet and to view links

Information provided by Cottesmore HIVE

 

Have you ever served in the Womens Royal Army Corps (WRAC)

The Veterans Charity | United Kingdom | Veterans Charity