Generic and local information for the UK Military community including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
January 24, 2024
Grantham: South Kesteven District Council - Cost of living support for families
Leuchars: Social Security Scotland at the Community Centre
Social Security Scotland will be holding a clinic in the Community Centre on Thursday's 1:00-5:00pm every fortnight.
January 19, 2024
DWP update - third 'Help for Households' cost of living payment
The first 2023 payment of £301 was paid between 25 April and 17 May, the second payment of £300 was paid between 31 October and 19 November and the third payment of £299 will be paid between 6 and 22 February.
The payment is for people on a qualifying means-tested benefit, who were entitled to payment during the qualifying period 13 November to 12 December 2023, or a payment for an assessment period ending within the qualifying period. The qualifying benefits include: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, and tax credits: Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
January 8, 2024
Easier registration and claims process for Wraparound Childcare (WAC)
- Personnel that are currently registered will receive an email from the WAC team explaining what this means for them.
- Personnel that haven't yet registered but may be eligible should note that registrations will freeze from 31 January 2024 until the switch over on 19 February 2024.
- Personnel that register between 19 February and 31 March 2024 will be able to backdate their registration to 1 February 2024, subject to eligibility.
Where can you find further information?
- Read the FAQs or visit the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect
- Visit the Discover My Benefits webpage or contact the HIVE, and Army Families Federation information sites.
- Look out for more updates, on defnet and Defence Connect.
- If you have any further questions you can email the WAC team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Serve and Protect Credit Union launch limited-time Fixed Saver account, offering a guaranteed return of 5% AER
Serve and Protect Credit Union (formerly Police Credit Union) are a not-for-profit organisation designed to help people in the police, prison, military, fire, and health services save money for their financial future.
- Their Fixed Saver account allows you to deposit from £1,000 up to £10,000, with a guaranteed return of 5% AER over a term of 12 months.
- Your savings with Serve and Protect Credit Union are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, covering you up to £85,000.
By opening a Fixed Saver, you not only earn a competitive return on your savings, but you also play a vital role in providing affordable loans to those who serve and protect the nation.
Don't miss out on this exclusive offer! It's available on a first-come-first-served basis, so act fast. The product is available throughout January and just requires you to complete a simple application online.
Please Note: If you are not already a member of Serve and Protect, you can still apply, but you will have to do so by the 26th of January 2024.
To apply or learn more about the Fixed Saver, visit: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/
December 19, 2023
Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) updates
Child Benefit update and childcare support
December 14, 2023
December 5, 2023
KCC: The Kent Money Advice Hub
Are you worrying about money? The Kent Money Advice Hub could help you.
December 4, 2023
Defence People Communications - get financial help if you have children with child benefit
Did you know that parents can claim child benefit to help with the cost of raising children? Find out if you’re eligible and how to make a claim.
With the rising cost of living, the Government are offering parents and carers up to £1,248 a year to help with the cost of raising their first child – and up to £826.80 for any other children. This means that by the time a child is 16 years old, their child benefit claim could be worth almost £20,000.
Northern Ireland: NIdirect Cost of Living Information and Advice
• help with energy costs
• help with your income
• help for families and children
• help for older people
• help with housing
• help with other costs
Find out more: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/cost-of-living
Jobs & Benefits Northern Ireland
Information provided by NI HIVE
November 30, 2023
Scotland: Scottish Child Payment applications are now open for children aged under 16
If you already get Scottish Child Payment for your child under 6 then you do not need to reapply.
Find out more about Scottish Child Payment and other benefits you may be entitled to at
November 22, 2023
DWP Conversational Platform
Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.
November 21, 2023
Vale of Glamorgan: Cost of Living Hub
Grants and benefits
Housing and energy
Help with food
Support for families
Health and wellbeing
Help with employment
To access the Vale of Glamorgan Cost of Living support and further information please click here.
Information provided by St Athan HIVE
November 13, 2023
November 2, 2023
Kent Police: Fraud Alerts
Read more
October 27, 2023
Wiltshire: Worrying about money? Support is available in Wiltshire
Other resources available include:
Wiltshire Council - supporting you through the rising cost of living
Community Food Providers in Wiltshire
Citizens Advice WiltshirePlease note that those living in SFA will not able to utilise all of the support on offer. For example if your heating system is broken or faulty, please contact Pinnacle to report the issue
Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVE's
October 10, 2023
Moray: CAB Moray now have a designated adviser to assist with the cost of living.
Are you struggling with the cost of living? Need a benefit check? Have utility issues? These are only a few things we can assist you with and, if the answer is yes, then drop in and see us during our bureau opening hours. We're here to help.🤝
Information provided by Leuchars HIVE
October 6, 2023
Help stop young people falling victims to loan sharks
Recent research has shown that a higher proportion of people in the 18 to 24 year old age bracket are at particular risk of being targeted by loan sharks in the current climate. More young people are having financial services or products refused by mainstream banks and many are being forced to borrow from friends and family to make ends meet.
With this in mind, Stop Loan Sharks want to highlight the services offered by credit unions, producing a new grime music video in conjunction with Find Your Credit Union and Nourish Social in the hope that it will appeal to young people and show them that other options that are available. Click the image below to watch the video online.Service Personnel can also utilise the Joining Forces Credit Unions, supported by the MOD to make saving simple and loans more affordable to the Armed Forces community.
New consultation launched - Child Maintenance: Accelerating Enforcement
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will be able to use an administrative liability order to recover unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to the courts and facing a lengthy wait.
The CMS helps around 930,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between June 2022-2023 arranged £1.2 billion on their behalf. Overall, child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.
The consultation is open to voluntary and community sector organisations, as well as CMS customers and members of the public. It applies to England, Wales and Scotland, although comments are welcomed from across the United Kingdom.
The consultation closes at 11:45pm on Friday 24 November.
Find out more and access the consultation here