Introducing the Continuity of Education Allowance advisory helpdesk
A new team is ready to help you with questions about Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).
Moving around for your work in the Armed Forces can make it hard to keep your children's education on track. This is where CEA comes in – helping your children stay settled in education, even when Service life means your family must move.
Here to help
Sometimes, working out if you’re eligible to claim CEA – or how to claim it – can feel complicated and confusing, as every situation is different. That’s why we've set up a new team in the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) to assist.
From 1 April 2026, the CEA advisory helpdesk will provide a group of experts to help you, your family, or your Unit HR team with any tricky questions about the allowance.
Whether you're trying to understand the rules or need help with a complex case, the team will point you to the right people and make sure you get clear guidance.
The new helpdesk works alongside the Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) service within Defence Children Services (DCS). This remains available to provide professional, independent advice, guidance, and support to Service families on children’s education – covering school admissions, Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA), and boarding school applications (including schools not currently on the Boarding School Database).
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