The Army Benevolvent Fund awards grants to people in financial need who are:
- Members and former members of the British Regular Army who have completed adult basic training
- Exceptionally, individuals who are medically discharged as a direct result of an injury sustained during basic training may also be supported
- Members and former members of the British Army Reserve or The Territorial Army (TA) who have completed one year’s satisfactory service
- Exceptionally, for a lesser period than one year’s satisfactory service if death, injury or distress arises from any action or incident whilst on military duty or the soldier had deployed on a designated operation
- Spouses / civil partners, widows, widowers, dependant child/children of those detailed above
They offer assistance in a number of ways where there is a need and where all statutory funding has been exhausted. Below are examples of what they can help towards:
- Priority debt with written recommendation by a qualified debt advisor eg CAB, StepChange
- Essential household goods and repairs
- Funeral costs
- Essential family needs
- Elderly care
- Mobility – we may be able to help with mobility equipment and aids where the need is supported by a professional Occupational Therapist report and quote
Applications for tuition fees for first degrees and vocational courses will be considered when the applicant has been disadvantaged by Service and/or the course can lead to gaining or retaining employment.
Requests for assistance towards a restricted number of counselling sessions may be considered after statutory sessions have been completed
All applications are means tested and individuals cannot apply directly.
- To apply if you are a serving soldier or spouse/civil partner, widow, widower, parent/carer of a dependant child/children of a serving soldier you need to contact your Unit Welfare Officer, Personnel Recovery Officer, Resettlement Officer, or the Army Welfare Service
- To apply if you are a veteran, spouse/civil partner, widow, widower, parent/carer of a dependant child/children of a veteran contact your local SSAFA office or call the Royal British Legion helpline on 0808 802 8080. It is open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm