Benefits and financial advice

Find out about benefits, financial advice and discounts available for members of the Armed Forces Community.

Whether you are currently serving, or have previously served in the Armed Forces, you may need some help with benefits and financial advice.

The Ministry of Defence has published a helpful guide on financial top tips for service personnel to ensure they get a fair deal when they need to access financial services.

The MOD have produced information on financial and pension advice and support services for the defence personnel and families.

What types of benefit and financial advice are available?

Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support: War Disablement Pension, War Widow’s Pension or War Widower’s Pension will not be taken into account when calculating income for Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support.

Council Tax: If you are a member of the Armed Forces and your property is deemed to be your sole or main residence, if your absence is a result of your service you will be eligible for a 50% job related discount. To find out more please email council.tax@colchester.gov.uk

Universal Credit: helps people find out what benefits they should be claiming, and provides more detail about how Universal Credit can help them move into, or progress in, work.

Read more about Universal Credit and Claim Universal Credit.

Freephone Helpline
0800 3285644

To access support relating to benefits and financial advice, see the following links:

• Discretionary Housing Payment: A fund aimed at helping people who find themselves in a crisis. If you're leaving or have just left the Armed Forces, and are moving in to new accommodation then the fund may be able to help with housing costs. DHP's cannot be awarded to help towards Council Tax liability or costs.
• Joining Forces: 3 credit unions working together to provide savings accounts and loans to the armed forces and their families.
• The Royal British Legion: Offers a range of financial assistance services, including benefits and money advice, grants and loans. If you have a compensation claim arising from your Service the Legion can help you through the process under the War Pensions Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The nearest Pop-In Centre is based at 133 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1SP.
• The MOD Army: Provides details about cash grants available to dependents of soldiers who die in service.
• SSAFA: A national charity that provides support to thousands of Armed Forces personnel and their families. The local branch can be contacted at essex@ssafa.org.uk.
• Citizens Advice: Provide guidance and advice on a whole range of issues.
• GOV.UK: The government website provides a comprehensive list of potential benefits entitlement.
• Veterans Gateway: Gives access to a network of organisations, making it easy for veterans and their families to connect with the help, advice and support needed from their first point of contact.
• Veterans UK: Provides a full range of information for people injured, disabled or bereaved by the service, including details of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, War Disablement Pensions and Armed Forces Pensions.
• The Army Families Federation (AFF): Independent of the Army and offers confidential advice on a range of welfare issues including money matters and family life. AFF works at a local level directly with families and local command.
• Forces Compare: Who help those in the armed forces find the best insurance and finance options.

Other local organisations that can provide benefit and financial advice include:

• Christians Against Poverty: Service passionate about releasing people from a life sentence of debt, poverty and their causes.
• Open Door, Colchester: A café-style drop-in centre which welcomes without judgment anyone who needs help or wants someone to talk to.

How businesses are helping to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant

You can find a useful summary of the businesses helping the Armed Forces community with mortgages, motor insurance, broadband, media packages and mobile phone contracts here.

Defence Discount Service

If you are a member of the Armed Forces community you are eligible for a Defence Privilege Card, at a cost of less than £1.00 a year. Visit the Defence Discount Service website to find out how you can start saving now on high street and online purchases.

Colchester City Council have registered with the Defence Discount Service: a range of discounts/concessions are available at venues including Leisure World, Colchester Castle and Colchester Events Company.

The UK Armed Forces Veterans ID Card

Service leavers can now recieve a new ID card which will help them access specialist services and support.

From 18 February 2019, any personnel who have left the military since December 2018 will automatically be given one of the new ID cards, allowing them to keep a tangible link to their career in the forces.

Using the card, veterans can easily verify their service to the NHS, charities, and their local authority, helping them to access support and services where needed.

By the end of this year, all other veterans will be able to apply for a new ID card and mark their time in the armed forces.

Find out more about the Armed Forces Veteran's ID card