SCiP Alliance - Applying to University - a guide for Armed Forces Students

As part of the Connected Forces project, the Inspiring Choices Uni Connect partnership will be running a webinar for all students from Armed Forces backgrounds who are interested in finding out more about applying to higher education through the UCAS system.

Click HERE​ to register​

Lichfield: Compensation - Pinnacle Service Families

You may be entitled to compensation if you have experienced any of the following;

• Missed appointments

• Failed Move in – if during your move in experience there was a significant defect resulting in a habitable or non-habitable fault

• Incorrect Tradesperson – If the wrong tradesperson arrives to attend a repair you have reported who is not suitably qualified to fix/ make good the issue and has to arrange for a second visit by the correct tradesperson

• Total loss of heating/cooking facilities – if there is a total loss of heating facilities (where temporary heating is provided) or total loss of cooking facilities

Please note that compensation will be paid in high street vouchers (Love2Shop) only, to offset any inconvenience caused. Click here to see the list of retailers where you can spend a Love2Shop voucher.

Full details: HERE

Lancashire: New Cost of Living information hub launched

We've launched our new Cost of Living information hub, making it easier for people to find the help they need.
It's contains various areas of support, including our Warm and Welcome Places scheme.
Read more more about it here
cost-of-living-support-in-lancashire

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Servicewomen’s Health Handbook

The Servicewomen’s Health Handbook​ was released last month and is for all personnel who are directly affected by female-specific health issues, for commanders and line managers who have a responsibility to enable their people to be their best, and for colleagues to better understand and support.

Copies of the handbook are available via internal Health and Wellbeing Portals or can be downloaded direct from Servicewomen's Health Handbook​

Scotland: Mindful Connections a new service launched to help veteran families transition to civilian life

Forces Children Scotland has received funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund to deliver Mindful Connections to support families who have made or will make the transition from military to civilian life across Central Scotland.

It’s the whole family which makes the transition

Children and young people have told us that making the transition from an armed forces to civilian family can prove a challenging experience for many different reasons. That’s why we will deliver a holistic family support service to help families to work together to make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Defence Flexible Working Podcast

Defence has published its final podcast in its 3-part ‘Flexible Working in the Armed Forces’ series.
​Hosted on BFBS’ website - click on the image below,

Tax Free Childcare - Overseas

Whilst overseas, TFC can only be used at nurseries or childminders that are MOD provided (regulated and inspected). 

If you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and you are assigned to an overseas location within the European Economic Area (and Switzerland) where there is no access to MOD provided schools and nurseries, you will be able to claim the TFC top-up using a manual process.

Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) worked with HMRC to allow for an application to be made with data then being transferred securely to HMRC for eligibility checking and processing of refunds.

2022DIN01-102 Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) Scheme for eligible working parents (Service personnel) has now been published, this includes the application form for the manual process.

Personnel without internal SharePoint access should contact People-AFFS-Child-Expenses@mod.gov.uk to request a copy of the application form. ​

DWP official social media accounts

 

DWP official social media accounts

Universal Credit - Easy Read Guides

There are two new easy read guides available on GOV.UK, ‘Before you apply for Universal Credit’ (UC3ER) and ‘How to apply for Universal Credit’ (UC4ER) – English and Welsh versions.

These easy read guides help people with learning disabilities to understand what Universal Credit (UC) is, who can get UC and how to apply for UC.​

Easy read: Universal Credit guides

Carers in the Army - Survey by Army Carers Advocate for SP

 To read the full story, click on the link below:

Edd's story / Carer Support Wiltshire

Service Carer Survey (office.com)