Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas

The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.

HM Government Money & Pensions Service - Money Helper: Credit unions and other alternatives to high-cost credit

This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide is for you if you need access to credit but you can’t use a mainstream lender and you don’t want to use a payday loan or other forms of high-cost credit.

When you read it, you’ll know:

• how credit unions work and how they can help you
• how to join a credit union
• what other sources of fair and affordable credit might be available to you.​

Digital Veteran Card to make accessing support even easier for ex-service personnel

​New Digital Veteran Card (DVC) to make sure former service personnel can prove their Veteran status as easily as possible, enabling smoother access to often essential support.

Army's Guide for Care Leavers

The Directorate of Personnel in Army HQ have released a new Guide for Care Leavers, which will help both Care Leavers and their managers access the appropriate support.

You can find it on the Pers Pol Conditions Defence Connect page at https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-1150391

Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations

Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.

View the poster details here.

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

Temporary registration and claims process for WAC Overseas.

The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

 

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.
For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

What does this mean for CEA claimants?

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID.

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

Please click here to view the 'An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness' leaflet

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

For more information see the poster here Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enroll: Headspace for Work

Chaplaincy updates

Our new Padre Mike Jenkinson has arrived at JFC Brunssum. For contact details and more information about the Chaplaincy updates, click here