A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver. Transition to Civilian Life

Transcription

1 A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Transition to Civilian Life

2 Useful Addresses Enquiries can be made to the Service Personnel Veterans Agency (SPVA) Joint Personnel Administration Centre (JPAC): JPAC Enquiry Centre Mail Point 465, Kentigern House 65 Brown Street Glasgow G2 8EX Tel: (freephone) Mil: Fax: After leaving the Army the Veterans Helpline can help to answer your questions and assistance may be sought from the Veteran Welfare Service. Tel: Useful Telephone Numbers Your Regimental Headquarters Army Welfare Information Service JPAC Enquiry Centre (Freephone) Service Personnel and Veterans Agency The Royal British Legion Army Benevolent Fund SSAFA Forces Help Officers Association Hyperlinks The following hyperlinks will direct you to a Transition to Civilian Life film And for those leaving through the Redundancy process:

3 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 1 Contents This is a guide that provides general advice. It is important that you have the most up to date information on resettlement. Check with your Unit Resettlement Information Staff Officer or Unit Welfare Officer. Section Detail Page 1 Introduction 2 2 Normal Service Leavers 6 3 Resettlement 10 4 Housing 18 5 Leave 30 6 Removals and Allowances 32 7 Administration 34 8 Service Pensions and Compensation 38 9 Welfare Support Benefits and Health British Army Soldiers who are NOT British Citizens Medically Retired Service Leavers Early Service Leavers Families Information 86

4 2 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 1 Introduction

5 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 3

6 4 Section 1 This guide covers resettlement, housing, leave, and pensions as well as the administrative procedures, for the smooth transition to Civilian Life. The guide is written for those who are going to live in the UK. If you are leaving the Army from the UK and returning to your country of origin you will need to ask about matters relating to that country. Your Unit Welfare Officer (UWO) would be a good place to start seeking help and advice. This guide tells you about the ex-service and civilian welfare agencies which are there to help you, if you wish, once you have left the Army. It will also explain procedures for all Service Leavers (SL). Definitions of the three types of SL and guidance for British Army soldiers who are also non-british citizens: If you are a Normal Service Leaver you are leaving the Army on completion of your engagement or have given your notice to leave or have been given notice of discharge under redundancy. See Section 2 of this guide. There is a useful Flow Diagram on the next page. Sections 3 to 10 are useful for everyone. If you are an Early Service Leaver you have been discharged either: - compulsorily from the trained or untrained strength, or - at your own request from the trained strength or untrained strength having completed less than 4 years service. See Section 13 of this guide. If you are being Medically Discharged/Retired your service is being terminated on medical grounds, you will have attended a Medical Board which has recommended that your services are terminated. See Section 12 of this guide. If you are a British Army Soldier who is also a non-british citizen and are serving overseas and wish to settle in the country in which you are serving, you should seek guidance from your chain of command, it is essential that you seek this guidance as early as possible as there may be immigration implications that will need to be resolved prior to leaving. See Section 11 of this guide Interviews As soon as you know you are leaving, you will need to be interviewed by the following as minimum: Unit Welfare Officer (UWO) Regimental Career Management Officer (RCMO) Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Regimental Administrative Officer (RAO) Commanding Officer (CO) Unit Resettlement Information Staff (RIS) Officer They will be able to answer your questions on welfare, pay, allowances or pension entitlements, and certainly discuss with them any financial or debt worries you may have.

7 Introduction 5 Resettlement and welfare support for those leaving the Services Service Leaver Medical Discharge? NO YES Notes: All SL may attend Housing and Financial briefings. YES Compulsory Discharge? NO NO Completed 4 Years Service? YES NO Completed 5/6* Years Service? YES Early Service Leaver Programme See Section 3 Signposting to Job Centre Plus, Other Support Organisations and Ex-Service Charities. Assessment of SL s Vulnerability to Social Exclusion. Mandatory Resettlement interview and brief by unit staff. Employment Support Programme (ESP) Specifically for those with >4 but <6 years service See Section 3 Mandatory Resettlement interview and brief by unit staff. Vocational training support. RFEA & employment consultancy support post discharge. Non British Citizen (see section 11) British Army Soldiers who are also non British Citizens See Section 11 Mandatory Resettlement interview and brief by unit staff. Career & Employment Consultancy Support. Vocational Training Support. Need to consider regulating immigration status in UK. Brief by unit staff. Medical Discharge See Section 12 Mandatory Resettlement interview and brief by unit staff. Career and Employment Consultancy Support. Vocational Training Support. Normal Service Leaver See Section 2 Mandatory Resettlement interview and brief by unit staff. Career and Employment Consultancy Support. Vocational Training Support. Section 3 Resettlement Section 4 Housing Section 5 Leave Section 6 Removals & Allowances Section 7 Administration/ Documentation Section 8 Service Pensions & Pensions (DWP) Section 9 Assistance from Welfare/Ex Services Leavers Organisations Section 10 Dept of Work & Pensions (DWP) Benefits, Community Care & Health Issues Discharged from Armed Forces Post Discharge Employment Support Job Centre Plus, and limited RFEA/OA Support under their Charitable Status Post Discharge Employment Support CTP Support for 2 Years. Thereafter, RFEA and OA Support under their Charitable Status

8 6 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 2 Normal Service Leavers

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10 8 Section 2 You are a Normal Service Leaver if you are leaving the Army on completion of your engagement or have given your notice to leave or have been given notice of discharge under redundancy. Leaving the Army can be quite stressful. If you have any worries about the future, it is very important that you discuss them as early as possible so that the right help can be offered in time to make a difference. The following people will conduct formal interviews with you: Unit Resettlement Information Staff (RIS) Officer Individual Education and Resettlement Officer (IERO), who is based at your local Army education Centre (AEC). The following people will be able to give you further advice: Unit Welfare Officer Regimental Career Management Officer Regimental Sergeant Major Regimental Administrative Office Commanding Officer. All Service Leavers will receive a Service Leaver s Pack from the Termination Cell, SPVA(G), about 9 months prior to their termination date. This pack is intended to offer guidance and advice prior to and after leaving Regular Service. If you are eligable for a pack and have not yet received one, you can submit a request through the JPAC Enquiry Centre on Freephone or MOD This pack contains important information about Service pensions and charities details. More information can be found in Sections 3, 8 and 9 of this guide. The IERO will be able to provide advice and guidance on the use of Enhanced Learning Credits to support resettlement preparation. Each Regional Bde HQ has been tasked to organise local transition fairs that will provide Service leavers with briefings about specific geographic areas and access to local authority representatives, services and support providers. This is to provide personnel with information that will assist them in identifying opportunities and making informed decisions on where to settle when they leave the Army. Details on where and when these events are to take place will be available from your Unit Administration Office. Personnel with an entitlement to GRT may use their warrants to fund travel to these events. Reserve Liability At the end of service in the Regular Forces personnel wil normally have a compulsory reserve liability. The length of this liability and the circumstance when individuals may be brought back

11 Normal Service Leavers 9 into service depend upon the Service, rank, the type of commission or engagement which they entered and whether they are subject to the Reserve Forces Act (RFA) 1980 or the 1996 Act. Army Other Ranks who enlisted before 1 April 1997 If you were a member of the Regular Army before 1 April 1997 and did not re-enlist or extend their service on or after 1 April 1997, they will be subject to legislation contained in RFA 80. Essentially, Army other ranks have a maximum 6-year liability in the Army Reserve. On completion of up to 6 years service in the Army Reserve, former soldiers are discharged from the Army Reserve and become members of the Army s Long Term Reserve with a liability to recall until age 45. Army Other Ranks from 1 April 1997 If you enlisted, re-enlisted or extended their service in the Regular Army on or after 1 April 1997, they will be subject to the legislation contained in the RFA 96. Generally, Army other ranks, including those serving on the Versatile Engagement (VEng) who do not complete their engagements in full and who complete less than 15 years service enter the Regular Reserve for 6 years or until completion of engagement, whichever is the sooner. Army other ranks who complete their VEng have a recall liability for 18 years or until age 55 whichever is the sooner. With the exception of those in the Army VEng, personnel who leave the Regular Army on completion of 22 years service have a recall liability until age 55 or for 18 years from the date of leaving service, whichever is the sooner. All Other Ranks subject to Compulsory Redundancy have no Reserve Liability. Officers Irrespective of the date of commissioning, officers serving on Short Service Commissions are transferred to the Army Reserve (Regular Army Reserve of Officers) (RARO). They will normally have a call-out liability for 4 years at which point they will be discharged without any further liability. Army officers who hold regular commissions are transferred to the RARO caveated by rank and cap-badge. All Officers subject to Compulsory Redundancy continue to have a Reserve Liability. Training Liability Members of the RARO and the Regular Reserve can be required to train for up to 16 days in aggregate in any one year or for such other periods as may be prescribed, none of which shall exceed 36 hours at any one time without consent. They may also volunteer to train or take part in exercises. Duty to inform Army Personnel Centre (APC) All Reservists have a legal duty to inform the APC of any circumstances which may affect their call-out or recall. These would included any change of name or address, a change in medical fitness that may affect service in the Army, or absence abroad for a period of over 3 months. Failure to Respond Failure to respond to a call-out or recall notice without leave lawfully granted or reasonable excuse is an offence under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 which may be dealt with by civil courts ore by such as on mobilised Service, Full-Time Reserve Service, Military Provost, Guard Service or Non-Regular Permanent Staff (TA). There are also opportunities to serve on Additional Duties Commitments. More information is available from the Mobilisation Section at the APC.

12 10 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 3 Resettlement

13 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 11 Introduction This Section covers details on the resettlement support available to you before and after your service. Section 1 shows a flowchart of support available. Resettlement is about making a successful transition from military life to the civilian world. During this time you may need to make decisions about housing, children s education, financial matters and future employment. While you are still serving, the Resettlement Service will help you by providing professional advice, information, guidance and, if appropriate, training to assist you to prepare for, and find, suitable civilian employment. You are entitled to advice at any time prior to discharge and in some circumstances beyond, for example if you have been injured or are ill during your resettlement. Organisation of Resettlement Service You will receive a JPA workflow upon entering your resettlement phase informing you to make an appointment for an interview with your local IERO. This can be done by telephoning your local Army Education Centre. The Unit Resettlement Information Staff (RIS) Officer will provide you with initial advice and guidance on your resettlement entitlements. Your unit should have a RIS Officer who will provide initial resettlement information and administration. Your RIS will interview you and provide information on how you access further levels of resettlement advice. If you are entitled to this resettlement service, you should make full use of it. The IERO will provide advice and guidance, dependent upon your personal circumstances, in order to assist you in establishing your goals within your Personal Resettlement Plan. Housing (see also Section 4). Welfare Agencies e.g.: SSAFA Forces Help, The RBL, DWP etc. (See also Section 9). Jobcentre Plus. Through your IERO the MOD Form 1173 is your proof of Service that the DWP requires for your priority access to a variety of their services and courses. More information is available at their website, There is special Jobcentre Plus assistance from the Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) if your disability significantly affects the kind of work you can do, or your chances of getting and keeping work.

14 12 Section 3 You will receive your resettlement under the terms of Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT). Your IERO will confirm the advice given, suggested actions and pre-release training activity and dates. Hospital or home visits can be arranged, if necessary. The IERO can also provide information on types of pre-release resettlement provision that you are entitled to according to your options i.e. GRT and CTP (Career Transition Partnership) /Non CTP activities, the allowances payable and details of post-release training opportunities. SL cannot be seen by Job Centre Plus staff before they become unemployed i.e. leave the Army. It is therefore most important that during your Terminal Leave, you contact your local Job Centre Plus and arrange an interview with them on the day you actually leave the Service. As soon as you leave the Army, if you do not have a job, you may be seen by a new Job Seeker Interviewer who will give you information about what you have to do to claim Job Seeker Allowance (JSA). They can also give you information about your priority access to mainstream Jobcentre Plus programmes. These can include Work Trials, Programmes Centres and New Deal for people aged Most of these programmes are designed to help you with your job search. All will help you find new employment. If appropriate, you should contact your local Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) at the Jobcentre Plus and arrange an interview. If your assessment shows that you are unable to work in open employment without significant support, the DEA can provide a range of advice, information and suggest training programmes. The Jobcentre Plus has contracts with different providers depending on which part of the country you live. (e.g. TRBLI, Shaw Trust, Remploy, Erskine etc.). Resettlement Support Programmes There are 3 resettlement support programmes, depending upon your length of service: The full resettlement programme (FRP) for soldiers who have 6 or more years of service or are medically discharged, irrespective of time served The employment support programme (ESP) for soldiers with more than 4 years but less than 6 years of service The early service leaver support programme (ESL) for those designated as ESL in Section 1. Both Unit Resettlement Staff and IEROs have access to details of the support programmes.

15 Resettlement 13 Graduated Resettlement Time for Normal Service Leavers GRT aims to reward length of service and allows you full flexibility in how you use your pre-release resettlement time i.e. in any appropriate mix of briefings, workshops, training or Individual Resettlement Preparation (IRP). JPA will be automatically populated with your GRT entitlements which will be confirmed during your interview with the IERO. If you have less than one year s service and are medically discharged you are still entitled to access the full resettlement service, but you will only receive 10 days GRT. Attendance at consultancy sessions, travelling time and time taken up with IERO interviews will not count against your GRT entitlement. Career Transition Partnership A contract partnership exists between the MOD s Directorate of Training, Education, Skills, Recruitment and Resettlement (TESRR) and Right Management Ltd to provide further resettlement services. This is the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) Normally if you have completed 6 years of service you are entitled to the full CTP resettlement programme. An outline of the CTP service is described on the next page. You are encouraged to register with the CTP who will ensure that you receive the resettlement service that you need. You will need to confirm that the details of the interviews with the IERO are correct using a JPA workflow in order to register with the CTP. The CTP resettlement programme includes: Career Transition Support. This is a personal service of Core Resettlement workshops, briefings, skills training, individual career counselling, and job-finding support e.g. assistance with your CV. You will be allocated a Consultant at one of the 10 Regional Resettlement Centres (RRCs) most convenient to you. You can get the addresses and telephone numbers of the RRCs from your URO or IERO. Job opportunities. The CTP will provide you with job opportunities that will be suitable for you, and help you secure them, primarily through the UK wide network of Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) Branch Offices and the Officers Association (OA) working as part of the CTP. The CTP job finding support is available for up to 2 years from date of retirement/discharge. Note that the RFEA and OA, in their charitable role, will offer you this service free for the rest of your working life. RFEA Tel: Fax: Web: OA Tel: Fax : Web:

16 14 Section 3 If you register for the CTP Service, you may be allowed up to 3 warrants to visit your allocated CTP Consultant if you have difficulty accessing them. They are issued at the discretion of the IERO. Speak to your IERO for further information. Resettlement Provision under GRT Service leavers with 6 or more years Service, or those who have been medically discharged, are entitled to Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT). If you are resettling under GRT you have full flexibility to use your pre-release resettlement time (within your overall limit) in any appropriate mix of the following elements: Core Resettlement Workshops Self-Marketing New Horizons in Retirement Self Employment/Small Business Awareness Small Business Start Up Job Finding skills seminars such as interview techniques Skills Training at the Aldershot RTC or at some of the RRCs Civilian Training Course (CTC) Training undertaken at a civilian college or firm CTP Recommended Courses. Courses delivered by training suppliers on the CTP Preferred Suppliers List. They must be discussed with your CTP consultant and authorised by the IERO. Civilian Work Attachment (CWA). An attachment to a firm for job intelligence and on the job training, rather than formal course instruction. Individual Resettlement Preparation (IRP). Time used for house hunting, CV writing, attending interviews, cold calling etc. The Career Transition Workshop (CTW). Attendance at Financial Aspects of Resettlement (FAR) briefings and Housing Briefings do not count against your GRT entitlement. Deferred Resettlement The resettlement arrangements are flexible to allow for both deferred and transferred resettlement. Under normal circumstances, with the exception of some SL who are Medically Discharged, resettlement training must be completed prior to discharge. On a case-by-case basis, IEROs may apply for your resettlement entitlement to be deferred post-discharge for up to 2 years. Your resettlement entitlement can also be transfered to your spouse, civil partner or eligible partner where a medical condition prevents a Service Leaver taking advantage of the resettlement service to which they are entitled. In exceptional circumstances, on a case by case basis, resettlement entitlement can be transferred to a nominated proxy. The IERO can provide further information.

17 Resettlement 15 Post Release Support You can seek resettlement advice from your IERO at any time up to 2 years before your date of discharge. You should discuss with your IERO the best means of accessing this service. The CTP will deliver support from the point where your resettlement starts to a point 2 years following your discharge. You will also have access to Jobcentre Plus Programmes, which may include special programmes, Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) support, Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA), vacancy and job search information at Jobcentres Plus, and you can join local Job Clubs. Assistance is also available from the ex-services welfare organisations as explained in Section 9. Employment in MOD Jobs within the MOD are not specifically held open for ex-service personnel, but there are no restrictions on ex-service personnel being employed in civilian jobs in the MOD. Certain civilian jobs in MOD and elsewhere draw heavily on previous Service experience and are particularly suitable for retired Service personnel. These jobs fall within a category known as The Military Support Function (MSF) Scheme. The Department complies fully with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and was one of the first Government departments to achieve the Jobcentre Plus two-tick Positive about disabled People symbol in May You may wish to join the Territorial Army (TA). Further career details can be found on the MOD website which includes details on the MSF Scheme. Additional information can be found at or by calling Army Careers Information on Joining the TA The Army offers two incentives that apply equally to all ex-regular Service leavers who enlist into the TA within 3 years of leaving Regular Service. The incentive options are designed to encourage serving Regular or ex-regular officers and soldiers to join the TA. Eligible candidates can only choose one option; selection of one option precludes the selection of the other. Option One (Reduced Commitment). Option one incentives are valid for a period of three years following an individual leaving Regular Service. This Option comprises three distinct parts: Annual Training Requirement. The minimum qualifying period for the annual TA Bounty will be reduced from 27 to 19 days. MATTs. MATT requirements can be reduced in accordance with certain criteria. Relaxation of Call-out Liability. Ex-Regular personnel joining the TA will not be obliged to fulfil their call-out liability (less in extreme circumstances).

18 16 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Option Two (Commitment Bonus (CB)). A commitment bonus is available to ex-regular officers (capts and below) and other ranks. It incentivises committed service over a four year period and is worth up to 5000 (tax payable) to individuals. There are restrictions to eligibility. This scheme is also available to TA Direct Entry junior officers. Joining the TA will not affect EDP or pension. Concurrent to the incentives detailed above and within certain criteria, individuals with previous Army service are eligible for the TA annual Bounty of up to 1691 (tax free). Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) FTRS is open to serving members of the TA and to personnel who leave the Regular Army who have a residual Reserve liability in the Regular Reserve (your RCMO will be able to advise on your individual Reserve liability). You may enter into a commitment to serve full time in a broadly similar way to members of the Regular Army. FTRS is not intended to be, nor is it managed as, a full career. Service personnel remain members of the TA or Regular Reserve throughout their FTRS service. There are three levels of FTRS ranging from Full Commitment (FC), which is fully deployable, Limited Commitment (LC) and Home Commitment (HC). All of these forms of Service may have an effect on EDP / pension etc. For further details follow the link below to the FTRS Opportunities page on the MS web. A list of job opportunities can be viewed on the Reserves Assignments Opportunities List (RAOL): Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) Grant An essential part of resettlement is access to training to enhance skills and gain qualifications that will improve employment opportunities. The IRTC Grant exists to help towards the cost of training through the CTP or External Training Providers. If you are entitled to GRT then you are entitled to claim the IRTC Grant. The total grant is subject to a maximum, check with your Unit Administration Office for details on eligible amount. If you register with the CTP and attend a training course at the Aldershot Resettlement Training Centre (RTC), or at one of the RRCs, your IRTC will be reduced by a specified amount for each day of training undertaken there.

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20 18 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 4 Housing

21 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 19 This is an important section as it covers details of the various agencies available to help you find accommodation on leaving the Army. Finding somewhere to live may be one of your biggest challenges as you will no longer be entitled to service accommodation. You should be aware that your status as an MOD Personnel is extended for 12 months after discharge. This gives you access to the Affordable Homes Scheme. Retention of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Four months or as soon as possible thereafter, before your discharge, you should inform the Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC). You will be given the following periods of notice to vacate your SFA: On normal discharge and on Premature Voluntary Release (PVR), the HASC will issue 93 days Notice to Vacate timed to expire on the last day of your service. For personnel discharged on medical grounds, 93 days continued use and occupancy of the SFA would be permitted after the date of discharge, at entitled SFA charges. Extensions of up to 93 days at a time may be granted on compassionate grounds, at the discretion of the HASC, in consultation with the Local Service Commander, at non-entitled SFA charges. In cases of discharge on disciplinary grounds or misconduct a minimum of 28 days notice will be given. On normal discharge and on Premature Voluntary Release (PVR), the Housing Information Centre will issue 93 days Notice to Vacate timed to expire on the last day of your service. For personnel discharged on medical grounds, 93 days continued use and occupancy of the SFA would be permitted after the date of discharge, at entitled SFA charges. Extensions of up to 93 days at a time may be granted on compassionate grounds, at the discretion of the Housing Information Centre (HIC), in consultation with the appropriate Local Service Commander, at non-entitled SFA charges. In cases of discharge on disciplinary grounds or misconduct a minimum of 28 days notice will be given.

22 20 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver The Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) Your Transition to Civilian Housing Starts Here The role of the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) is to provide specialist housing information and advice to encourage Service personnel (and their dependants) to consider their civilian housing options and to assist them in their transition to civilian life. Where possible it works to place Service persons (and their dependants) into suitable accommodation and to assist Ex-Service personnel still occupying Service Accommodation. The JSHAO is set up to provide Service personnel and their families with information and advice on the increasingly complex range of civilian housing options. The JSHAO provides a focal point for housing information and advice to all Service personnel and their families in particular those about to return to civilian life, and to ex-service personnel who are still in Service Families Accommodation. Contact Details Joint Service Housing Advice Office Building 183 Trenchard Lines Upavon Wiltshire SN9 6BE AWS-JSHAO-Mailbox@mod.uk Telephone Numbers: Civilian: Military: Civilian Housing Options Briefings on the options for housing are designed primarily for Service personnel and their dependants who are leaving the Service and intend to settle in the UK. Other serving Service personnel who are considering their civilian housing options are also strongly encouraged to attend. Attendance at these briefings does not count against resettlement entitlement. Applications to attend the briefing should be made to the Regional Resettlement Centre s. For Cyprus briefings, applications should be made to Army Education Centres in Episkopi, and Dhekelia. For Germany briefings, applications should be made to the Regional Resettlement Centre Herford or Unit Housing Briefings The JSHAO provides Housing briefings for Service Personnel throughout the UK and worldwide. These briefings aim to inform Service personnel of the greater choice that there is in the way civilian housing options whilst still serving. Contact the JSHAO team to request a Housing briefing for your Unit. Housing Matters Magazine Housing Matters is produced by the JSHAO team and aims to give housing information to the Service community world wide. Each month the magazine focuses on a particular region within the UK and various housing topics. Copies are available from your Unit, Hives, Regional Resettlement Centres. Additional copies may be obtained through the JSHAO.

23 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 21 The MoD Referral Scheme The JSHAO runs the Ministry of Defence Referral Scheme. This scheme may be able to help you if you are looking for Social Housing on leaving the Service. We have developed links with Local Authorities and Housing Associations within the UK, who have available housing they wish to be specifically allocated to Service Personnel. Applications should be made within 6 months of your date of discharge to the JSHAO; you will then be contacted if a suitable property becomes available in your chosen area. We cannot guarantee that accommodation will become available in your chosen area, or that applicants will be housed through the scheme. For more information and application forms visit our website or call the office and speak to the MoD Referral Scheme Coordinator. Homelessness A person is homeless if he has no accommodation available for his occupation in the UK or elsewhere. A person shall be treated as having no accommodation if there is no accommodation which he, together with any other person who normally resides with him as a member of his family or in circumstances in which it is reasonable for that person to reside with him. If you are in SLA or you are facing eviction from SFA and you are hoping to obtain Social Housing (Council/Housing Association), send a copy of the Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy SLA/SFA or notice to vacate to the Homeless Persons Unit of your Local Authority. The certificate is obtained from your Unit/local Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC) at DIO. You will need to advise your Local Council that you wish to apply under the provision of the Housing Act 1996/Homeless Order 2002 for an assessment as a homeless person. Local Councils have a legal duty to assist homeless people in some way, either through temporary re-housing or by giving advice and guidance. Local Authority (Council) Housing The system Councils use to assess applications for housing is often referred to as the Allocations Scheme or Housing Needs Register. You can apply to join the Housing Needs Register even if you do not live in that area; however some Councils give a higher priority to those who already live in the area. Procedures and allocation policies vary from one area to another, but all Councils have to follow certain rules. They must consider every application individually based on the merits and whether you have followed the application procedure correctly. It is beneficial to get on the Housing Register as soon as possible, even if you have a number of years left to serve, as time spent on the register may help you. You are also able to apply for housing whilst serving at a BFPO address. Housing Associations Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) commonly known as Housing Associations offer property for social rent and are the main providers of new social housing through Shared Ownership schemes. Affordable Housing Schemes There are a number of housing schemes that are available to the Service and Ex-Service community. This includes affordable home ownership schemes such as Help to Buy (England)

24 22 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver and LIFT (Scotland). Following the announcement in May 2011 and the governments pledge to the Armed Forces in the form of the military covenant, MOD Personnel have now been given priority along with social tenants for these schemes. This has been labeled Priority Status for MOD personnel which includes members of the regular Armed Forces. A government-appointed Help to Buy Agent provides a one-stop-shop service for home ownership and rental opportunities in England. By registering with an Agent, individuals are assessed to identify the schemes they are eligible for. Help to Buy Agents work with a number of organisations such as other housing associations, private developers, estate agents and local authorities to ensure customers are kept informed about all the opportunities available to them. There are a number of different types of scheme that are offered under the Help to Buy initiative. Depending on your individual circumstances you may find that one or more of them are available to you. For more information on the available options follow the links Help to Buy in England, or see the Welsh Homebuy Scheme, or the Scottish Low Cost Initiative For First Time Buyers (LIFT) Scheme. The Services Cotswold Centre Situated in the countryside mid way between Bath and Chippeham, just off the M4 outside Corsham, the centre provides temporary housing for families of serving personnel from all 3 Services. Whether you are in transit between postings, retiring, have welfare housing issues or have been the subject of emergency evacuation from overseas, the centre offers a secure, comfortable and affordable place to stay. In the case of estranged families and those leaving the Services, the family is to include one child. Contact Details Services Cotswold Centre Neston Corsham Wiltshire SN13 9TU Telephone: Civ Military: (9) scc-receptionist@mod.uk

25 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 23 Single Person Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services SPACES If you are single and about to be discharged SPACES may be able to help you find somewhere to live, they are a housing placement service for single personnel based in Catterick Garrison. SPACES is tasked by the MoD to help assist single Service Leavers to find suitable housing, they work with all Service Personnel regardless of rank and length of service, they make all referrals to the single persons accommodation available at The Beacon in Catterick and Mike Jackson House in Aldershot. Contact Details The Beacon SPACES Office Marne Road Catterick Garrison North Yorkshire DL9 3AU Telephone: or spaces@riverside.org.uk Haig Homes Haig Homes provide housing assistance to Ex-Service personnel by letting homes at affordable rents. To be considered for housing with Haig Homes applicants must therefore have an Armed Forces connection and be in housing need They have approximately 1,200 homes for letting in 50 locations throughout the UK. Contact Details Haig Homes Alban Dobson House Green Lane Morden Surrey SM4 5NS Website: For Application Forms Telephone: SSAFA Forces Housing Advice Service The SSAFA Forces Housing Advice Service provides housing information and advice to exservice personnel and their dependants. Contact Details Queen Elizabeth House 4 St Dowstans Hill London EC3R 8AD Telephone: housing@ssafa.org.uk

26 24 Section 4 Veterans Aid Veterans Aid exists to help if you are homeless or are likely to become homeless. Contact them on the details below if you need help, regardless of how long you served or whether you were in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, RAF or Merchant Service: Contact Details 40 Buckingham Palace Road Victoria London SW1 0RE Telephone: info@veterans-aid.net Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) SVR is Scotland s oldest ex-service charity, it operates to support independent living for ex-service men and women and their spouses of all ages. SVR provides the stability to help veterans cope with the changes that are happening in their lives. Contact Details Whiteford House 53 Canongate Edinburgh EH8 8BS Telephone: info@svronline.org

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28 26 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 5 Leave

29 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 27 Terminal Leave Terminal leave is designed to assist resettlement and is to be granted to qualifying personnel. You will continue to remain on Army pay during your terminal leave. Terminal leave is just the same as any other leave, except that you are free to take up civilian employment before it finishes. Terminal leave however is not normally to be granted to Service personnel whose service is being terminated prematurely for misconduct. Service personnel may be granted up to 20 working days Terminal leave on completion of their commission/engagement. See Section 19 of JSP The Joint Services Publication for Leave and Other Types of Absences, for further details. Illness during Terminal Leave If you are admitted to hospital during your Terminal leave, you or a relative should ask the hospital staff to contact your Unit to let them know the nature of your illness/injury and the length of time you expect to be in hospital. This will ensure that correct action is taken regarding your pay and allowances. Personnel who undergo hospital treatment whilst on Terminal leave may be extended in the Service for any period spent as an in patient under treatment. However, Service time will not be extended for periods of outpatient treatment, convalescence, illness at home or hospital sick leave. Further information can be found at: then follow the link entitled Service Leavers Guide on the SPVA home page. Annual Leave Personnel leaving the Army are eligible for annual leave in the year of resignation on a proportionate basis. See Section 1 of JSP 760 for further information. All outstanding annual leave must be taken with Terminal Leave, extensions to service are not permitted to enable untaken annual leave to be taken and personnel will not be paid for untaken leave.

30 28 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 6 Removals and Allowances

31 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 29 Provisions & Allowances Final Tour of Duty Allowance (FTOD) The aim of the FTOD provision is to assist eligible Service personnel in their final tour of duty, who are not in the geographical area in which they have formally expressed a preference to serve, with meeting the costs of settling themselves and/or their immediate family at a Selected Place of Residence (SPR) in the UK. Full details on the FTOD provsion inclusing eligibility and ineligibility can be found in the Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752 section 4 chapter 7 - Tri-Service Regulations for Allowances. Removals and Disturbance Allowance Removals and Disturbance Allowance (DA) may be provided, at public expense, under the FTOD provision. FTOD may be paid at any time during the final tour up to and including the last day of service. In general, all PStat Cat 1,2 and PStat 3,4 or 5 personnel who are householders or homeowners in the UK, may be entitled to FTOD when moving to private accommodation on discharge, subject to the eligibility criteria explained in Section 4 to Chapter 7 of JSP 752. Service personnel will be ineligible to claim FTOD if they have received DA and removal expenses within the previous 6 months. PStat Cat 1 and 2 personnel serving overseas who would be entitled to claim relocation expenses on returning to the UK on termination of service may be entitled to removal expenses and DA in accordance with Sections 1 and 2 to Chapter 7 of JSP 752. Those not covered but whom believe they have exceptional circumstances may submit a claim for extra-regulatory authority via the Chain of Command to the SPVA PACCC (Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell). Detailed guidance for the submission of such claims can be found at Section 1, Chapter 1 of JSP 752. Insurance Allowance Insurance Allowance (IA) is to meet the average cost of transit insurance purchased by Service personnel when they are required to move their personal effects but are not entitled to claim Disturbance Allowance. Single, married (or those in a civil partnership) unaccompanied personnel may be eligible for IA for their move back to the UK. Further details are in Section 3 to Chapter 7 of JSP 752. Continuity of Education Allowance This ceases on retirement from the Army. Provision to maintain CEA under certain circumstance exists beyond termination for those leaving through Redundancy and 1* and above who have been directed to retire. Further details are in JSP 752, Chapter 9.

32 30 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 7 Administration

33 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 31

34 32 Section 7 Before your last day of Service If you are based in the UK your own unit will complete all your discharge arrangements. If you are serving overseas (including Germany), you will normally be moved back to a unit in the UK for final administration. The administrative arrangements leading up to your discharge will include a resettlement interview with your Unit Resettlement Officer (URO) or Unit Welfare Officer (UWO) to discuss arrangements for finding a job, accommodation and any welfare support once you have been discharged. All personnel are entitled to an interview with the Individual Education Resettlement Officer (IERO) at the local Army Education Centre. De-kit by the QM. You will be expected to pay for any deficiencies from your final pay. A pre-release medical examination by your unit MO. You must arrange a final medical at your unit. Your attention is drawn to the part of Section 8 of this guide which deals with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the War Pensions Scheme (WPS). You should ensure that the MO is aware of any injury you believe has been caused, or made worse, by service as the SPVA may use your medical documents when considering a claim under either scheme. If you are single, you may consider completing a Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement for Single Personnel to Occupy Service Living Accommodation and Impending Homelessness (MOD Form 1166). This should be taken to your Local Authority as soon as possible; the MOD Form 1166 can be obtained from JSHAO or Defence Estates. Administration of Resettlement. All Service leavers complete their resettlement administration using JPA. Service leavers will receive, on entering the resettlement phase, a JPA Workflow notifying them that they are entitled to commence resettlement and that they are to arrange a mandatory interview with their local IERO. Confirmation of completion of the mantatory interview with the IERO by the Service leaver will enable the Service leaver to be registered for CTP provision. Business Process Guides explaining the process are available via JPA. Follow this link to the Service leavers Resettlement JPA User Guide

35 Administration 33 Final day in the Unit On your final day in the unit or shortly after you will receive a number of forms, which you will require after the Termination of your Service: Termination of Service Certificate This form certifies the date that your service in the Armed Forces will expire. It will be sent to your home address (or the address entered into JPA) during or shortly after your terminal leave. Certificate of Service This form is a record of your professional career in the Armed Forces. This document is issued with the Termination of Service certificate. Valedictory Certificate This certificate is issued to Normal long term Service Leavers only. Security Form A reminder that you should not travel to certain countries without informing the Service Security Staff. This normally applies for 2 years from the date of discharge (5 years for individuals who possess DV clearance). FP13- Report of National Health Service Number (how to register with NHS and services available). This should be handed to your new GP. F/Med 133/GSMS1 (Family Doctor Registration) - Medical History on Release from HM Forces. Hand to your new GP. It is vital that you provide a permanent address on discharge so that contact can be maintained. If you move, please inform the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, and your home RHQ of your new address. A checklist for all your resettlement and welfare is in Section 15.

36 34 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver Section 8 Service Pensions and Compensation

37 Transition to Civilian Life - A Welfare Guide for the Service Leaver 35 Service Pensions This section covers details about your eligibility to a Service pension, a War Disablement Pension (Pre 6th April 05) or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) (Post 6th April 05) for injury, illness or death. You should visit the following websites for further information: or Whilst serving in the Army you will normally have automatically been a member of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), which is an occupational pension scheme providing pension and invaliding benefits to its members. The scheme is a non contributory scheme, which means that the members make no direct contributions into the scheme; however your pension benefits are taken into account when your pay is assessed. Your unit administration office has copies of a pension booklet, which will provide you with further information on specific aspects of your pension. There are three pension schemes AFPS 75 and AFPS 05 and the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS). You should find out which scheme you belong to. Under current arrangements, all Service Leavers will receive a Service Leaver s Guide from the Termination Cell, SPVA(G), about 9 months prior to their termination date or as soon as possible after the notification of discharge, if less than 9 months. This guide is intended to offer guidance and advice prior to and after leaving Regular Service. If you are eligible for a guide and do not receive one, you can submit a request through the JPAC Enquiry Centre on , Freephone or MOD The guide is also available online at The guide contains information about your pension (if eligible), Resettlement, Reserve Liability and support agencies. A full list of contents and the relevant document sponsors is available on the Defence Intranet CorporatePublications/PersonnelPublications/SPVA/ServiceLeaversPack Of particular importance to Service Leavers is the SPVA Pension Form 1. Form%201.pdf This form should be completed no earlier than 6 months, and no later than 6 weeks before your last day of service, and must be returned to SPVA (address given on the form). The completion of this form is a legal requirement and failure to do so will result in a delay to the receipt of your Termination Benefits and pension, if eligible. The PEN1 can be accessed via your JPA account, selecting JPA Self Service - Employee, Armed Forces and then clicking on Pension Application (PEN1).