Supporting the Unsung Hero - Free Online Business Start-up courses

Supporting the Unsung Hero business start up are pleased to announce that they are restarting​ their monthly Starting a Business Webinars which is free to the Armed Forces Community

For more information please visit the website with any questions.

https://www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/

 

DWP Update: Marriage Allowance – couples can save up to £252 a year on their tax bill

Some couples can save up to £252 a year on their tax bill by claiming Marriage Allowance.

To benefit from Marriage Allowance, the following circumstances must apply:

the couple are married or in a civil partnership
one person does not pay Income Tax because any income they have is below their tax-free Personal Allowance (usually £12,570)
their partner pays Income Tax at the basic rateDo you know someone who could be eligible?

​They can find out more and apply for Marriage Allowance on GOV.UK and use the free online calculator to find out how much tax they could save.

Army HIVE Non-UK National Support: New Email Address for Enquiries

Please click on poster to enlarge.
Army HIVE now has an email address specifically for Non-UK National enquiries. This is available to Service personnel, their families and their line managers/CoC who require support.

RC-Pers-HIVE-NonUKNat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk​

New Accommodation Offer Important Update: Extension of SLA Waiver

The New Accommodation Offer has been changed in respect of the Dual Accommodation Expense element of the Offer. The waiver of SLA charges relating to PStatCat and age are being retained for now and extended to other cohorts who maintain a main home away from their assigned location. Please see this SWAY for more information.

DWP: Child Maintenance Service reformed to crack down on parents who refuse to pay

The government is reforming the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to crack down on parents who refuse to pay and ensure children get the support they deserve more quickly.

Link: Child Maintenance Service reformed to crack down on parents who refuse to pay - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DWP: National Insurance - detailed information

Guidance for National Insurance. Including how to apply for a National Insurance number and check your record. As well as rates, paying, refunds, voluntary contributions, and pensions.

Link: National Insurance: detailed information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Headspace Support your loved ones

Launch of new easier Wraparound Childcare registration and claims process

It's now even easier for Service families to register and claim for Wraparound Childcare (WAC).

Following your feedback, we have simplified the process to make it easier for you and your family. WAC is now fully integrated in JPA and brings registration, claims calculations, and claims all together in one place – in the 'My child allowances: WAC' section.

Could your family save £3,400 a year, per child?

Over 10,500 Service children's childcare is currently being supported by Wraparound Childcare funding.

If you have a child aged between 4 and 11 (4-16 if in receipt of disability benefits), on average, your family could save up to £3,400 per child, per year on before and after school care.

If you think your family may be eligible, find out more about WAC by visiting the Discover My Benefits Army, RAF, Navy or Marines webpage.

Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2024 – now open!

Have your say in this year’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) – open until Monday 22 April. Don’t miss out – check if you’ve been invited to take part.

FamCAS is an annual, tri-Service survey, which invites a sample of Service spouses and civil partners to share what they like and dislike about Service family life.

This anonymous survey covers key issues that impact you, as Service families, and gives you the chance to share your views on aspects of day-to-day Service family life. This includes questions on employment, childcare, and healthcare.

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 13

To read the lastest Families First newsletter click here

CTP 2024 Employment Fairs

NHS England: Talking Therapies Mental Health Support

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you're struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.



For more information click here

Army Benevolent Fund: Cateran Yomp - the Ultimate Charity Walk

For more information and to register for the walk, please visit:

https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/cateranyomp

New Accommodation Offer Booklet - Version 2

Starting from 11 March 2024, the MOD will begin introducing a New Accommodation Offer for our Armed Forces. Some of the changes will happen immediately whilst others may only affect you when you are assigned to a new role or at the end of the three-year transition period.

The planned changes are intended to modernise accommodation entitlements, improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, update the Overseas Accommodation Offer, increase support to homeowners and, overall, give you more of a say on how you choose to live.

To read the full booklet click here

NHS England: Benefits of the NHS App

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes.

If you are over the age of 16 the NHS App enables you to view your GP health record to help you better understand and manage your condition, without having to phone your GP surgery. With the App you can access your consultation notes, letters and test results.

New Accommodation Offer: Introduction of the Dual Accommodation Expense

From 1 April 2024, the Army Over 37 Provision will cease and the existing SLA waiver will be replaced by the Dual Accommodation Expense, part of the New Accommodation Offer. For
further information on the Dual Accommodation Expense, please go to:
this SWAY
​Draft JSP 464, see Part 8 – Payment and Charges, Section 7

Army Briefing Note: ABN 003/2024 (available to MODnet users only)

International HIVE (iHIVE) - Launch of additional Overseas Location Guides (OLGs).

Further Overseas Location Guides (OLGs) have been added to the iHIVE Blog. Existing guides have also been updated.

The iHIVE Blog hosts worldwide location information, to enable Service personnel and their families to find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Overseas Location Guides offer location specific information to give a brief insight into a location, with the facility to fine out more from iHIVE from questions you may have.

Additional Oversea Location Guides added include:
· Canberra
· Oman
· Saudi Arabia
· Kuala Lumpur

Contact Sarah at our iHIVE with any questions, or visit the iHIVE Blog and view the guides and range of information provided to support Serving Personnel and families worldwide.

For more information please visit: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/

Support for Households - Cost of Living Support

See what support is available to help with the cost of living and save money with our energy saving tips at:
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

2024 Civilian Housing Briefs from Defence Transition Services

 

For 2024 Civilian Housing Briefs, click here

To register and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

Click the registration link for the briefing date you wish to attend.

In addition to delivering civilian housing briefs, Defence Transition Services (DTS) exists to provide information and support for those Service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the armed forces and adjust to civilian life.
For more information please visit:

https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families