OF INTEREST…
Navigating welfare benefits, NHS and local council services
T
he RAF Benevolent Fund has launched a new advice and advocacy service to help RAF personnel and veterans
navigate the maze of welfare benefits and NHS and local council services. The service will identify the benefits and care services to which individuals are entitled and, if necessary, take up the case directly on their behalf.
Paul Hughesdon, RAF Benevolent Fund Director of Welfare and Policy, said: “We know that younger personnel have very different needs from older veterans, who perhaps fought in World War Two or served in the RAF during their National Service years. Our new service is able to provide advice on the benefits and services available to each individual – from re- training and childcare assistance to funding for home adaptations and care home fees.”
The RAF Benevolent Fund has seen a growing need for such a service and will offer assistance to the entire RAF family, from Serving personnel and their families to Veterans. Anyone who served in the RAF is eligible to use this service; there is no requirement to already be in receipt of benefits or demonstrate financial need. The service
www.raf-ff.org.uk
is also available to the partners, widows/ widowers, and dependents of RAF personnel.
Paul Hughesdon said: “It is a shame that all too often members of the RAF family don’t receive the benefits and services to which they are really entitled. Often, they are just grateful to receive some support from the State, not all of the support available.
Our new service aims to identify their entitlements and, if necessary, advocate on their behalf to secure them.”
For assistance from the Advice and Advocacy Service, please email
advice@rafbf.org.uk, call 0800 169 2942, or send a letter via post to Advice and Advocacy Service, 67 Portland Place, London W1B 1AR.
Charlotte Bull - Care Services Advocacy Executive for the new service Envoy Summer 2015 49
© Crown Copyright 58 Sqn RAF Regiment
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