0131 550 1561 office@veteransscotland.org.uk

Funding and Support

Council Tax, utility bills, groceries and rent; these are just some of the financial commitments that many Veterans face for the first time when they leave the Services.  Because bills have previously been deducted from pay at source, it can be a challenge to budget for them, yet failing to do so can bring long-lasting negative consequences.

In this section we provide direction to credit unions, which can offer a wide range of affordable financial services, and to debt advice and support organisations that can give advice to avoid and, if necessary, recover from debt.

Some useful websites include:

National Debt Line

The law about debt is different depending on whether you live in England and Wales or Scotland. If you live in Scotland, make sure you are in our Scottish site so you get the right advice.

Scotland's Financial Health Service  

Welcome to Scotland’s Financial Health Service website (SFHS). This Scottish Government website is the place to come if you have financial concerns or are just seeking useful, free and impartial advice which you can trust.

Government Guide to Benefits, Tax Credits and Other Support 

A number of veterans are unaware of the various benefits and other support that they may be eligible for and as such the link below will offer advice and guidance.

Benefits Calculator 

You may be missing out on financial help that you are entitled to through welfare benefits. The entitled to calculator can help you check what you might be able to claim.

To refine your searches by local authorities choose from the form below and click search.

Social Security Scotland

Stakeholder resources

We want to work in partnership with our stakeholders. This is where you can find resources for you to help us promote the benefits we deliver. If you would like to request any hard copies of our resources please complete the Marketing Materials request form below.

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment

Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment

Best Start Grant School Age Payment

Carer's Allowance Supplement

Funeral Support Payment

General Resources

Education and training funding for veterans

You can get help paying for qualifications whether you:

  • are planning on leaving the armed forces
  • have already left and want to know more about your options

MORE INFO

The Veterans' Foundation Grant Applications

Trustees of the Veterans Foundation allocate grants every three or four months.  They welcome applications from Armed Forces charities and other organisations carrying out charitable work for serving or veteran members of the Armed Forces, qualifying merchant seamen, and their dependants, who are in need. Deadlines for applications are the end of December, March, May and September each year. Further details can be found on the website www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/grant-application/ .

Additional sources of funding for charities, community groups or social enterprise.

Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using online websites. From small grants to funding for big capital projects, using these tools you can track down various sources of funding you need to make a difference in your community.  We have listed several of these organisation that you may wish to engage with regarding future funding of your projects.

MORE INFO

Funding websites

Join over 3,000 subscribers to the best-selling funding websites for charities, containing more sources, commentary and funding analysis than anywhere else.

MORE INFO

Veteran Welfare Service

Tel: 0808 1914 2 18

WVS Kentigern House , MP600, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX

The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) is committed to enhancing the quality of life for Veterans and beneficiaries of pensions (War and Service) and compensation schemes, and all their dependants. It also focuses upon providing support that will enable the seamless transition from Service to Civilian life, assist bereaved families or respond to key life events that present welfare needs.

It gives support and advice in the areas of:

War Disablement pension, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, DWP Benefits, Housing, Employment Health and Bereavement.

It achieves this by adopting a single central coordinating role that facilitates access to all appropriate services. The VWS provides a caseworker approach that offers professional help and guidance through either telephone contact or a dedicated visiting service. Under the Veterans UK the VWS works in collaborative partnership with the tri-Service, ex-Service charities, statutory and non-statutory bodies, local community service providers and Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee’s to deliver a quality welfare service that promotes independence, maintains dignity and provides continuous support through life.

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/veterans-welfare-service

Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee

JPAC Enquiry Centre , Mail Point 465, Kentigern House 65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX

What we do

We advise veterans and their families on their needs, issues and concerns.

Who we are

We are independent statutory bodies established by government. Formerly known as the War Pensions Committees, we advise and liaise with veterans, their families and relevant organisations on their needs, issues and concerns. We assist, raise awareness, act as advocates and provide governance to the veterans’ community, and champion the rights of veterans and their families where there is injustice, inequality or a lack of fairness.

There are 13 VAPCs across the UK. You can contact us using the links below.

If you are unsure which region you belong to and would like to be put in touch with your local VAPC, you can contact the Veterans UK Team.

Veterans UK

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-advisory-and-pensions-committees-x13

Veterans Scotland

Jim Wilson – General Secretary
Tel: 0131 550 1569 Fax: 0131 557 5819 Email: gensec@veteransscotland.org.uk

New Haig House , Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HR

Veterans Scotland’s aim is to establish cooperation and coordination between Veterans Organisations in Scotland, to act as a focal point for all matters concerning the ex-Service community within Scotland and to represent these matters to Government at all levels.

http://www.veteransscotland.co.uk/

Veterans’ Foundation

Trustees of the Veterans Foundation allocate grants every three or four months.  They welcome applications from Armed Forces charities and other organisations carrying out charitable work for serving or veteran members of the Armed Forces, qualifying merchant seamen, and their dependants, who are in need. Deadlines for applications are the end of December, March, May and September each year. Further details can be found on the website www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/grant-application/ .

Veterans’ Foundation show continued support for Scotty’s Little Soldiers with two generous grants

Bereaved children’s military charity, Scotty’s Little Solders, has been awarded two grants from the Veterans’ Foundation, totalling £35,766, to help provide support to children and young people who have experienced the death a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.

The Veterans’ Foundation was set up to help fund charities and other charitable organisations that are helping serving and former members of the Armed Forces, and their dependants, who are in need. The Veterans’ Foundation raises its money through the Veterans’ Lottery and donations, and has shown continued support for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, having awarded the charity with a number of grants dating back to 2017, and every year since.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers was founded in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott, a year after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action in Afghanistan. Nikki saw the devastating impact on their two young children and set up the charity to help others in the same situation.

Scotty’s supports its members through four Family Programmes:

  • The ‘Smiles’ programme is about fun and community.  Gifts and vouchers are sent to Scotty members at extra difficult times of the year. There’s also group events, respite breaks and special experiences – all designed to put a smile on some very brave young faces.
  • The ‘Support’ programme helps with the emotional health and wellbeing of members. Scotty’s has an internal support team to provide instant and direct guidance to the families, can help identify their needs and facilitate them getting the relevant support.
  • The ‘Strides’ programme assists members with their transition to adulthood. They are provided with access to first class work experience opportunities and mentoring, as well as being offered financial assistance for development related activities ranging from education to sports – all designed to develop self-esteem and build confidence.
  • The ‘Springboard’ programme is for 18-25-year olds and focuses on providing guidance and career opportunities around education, vocational training and employment.

The Veterans’ Foundation has provided Scotty’s with a £15,766 grant which will be used to fund Scotty’s ‘Smiles’ programme. This will go towards gifts for Scotty members at difficult times of year such as birthdays, Christmas and the anniversary of their parent’s death, as well as events and activities that help remind the children and young people they aren’t alone.

Additionally, a second grant of £20,000 will be used to fund the salary of Scotty’s Strides and Springboard Programme Co-ordinator, to provide career and development opportunities to young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served. This will be delivered through workshops, training days and mentoring, as well as personal grants to broaden the individual’s skillset.

Scotty Founder, Nikki Scott, said:

“We are so grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for their continued support. They understand the challenges faced by children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent and can see the difference it makes to them to feel part of a supportive community. We’ve made a promise to be there for the children of our fallen heroes and the Veterans’ Foundation, having awarded us a number of grants over the years, play an important role in helping us to keep that promise. I want to say a huge thank you to the Veterans’ Foundation.”

Veterans’ Foundation CEO Major General, David Shaw, said:

“The Veterans’ Foundation is delighted to support the excellent work of Scotty’s Little Soldiers again.  One grant will directly support the young people through the Smiles programme and the other grant helps with salaries.  The latter is essential to deliver the good that Scotty’s Little Soldiers delivers.  Keep up the good work!”

West Dunbartonshire Council

Tel: 0800 9809070

6-14 Bridge Street , Dumbarton G82 1NT

West Lothian Council

Tel: 01506 776444 Email: advice.shop@westlothian.gov.uk

Waverly Street Units 9 -12 Waverly Industrial Estate , Strategic Services, Bathgate EH47 4HY

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