Royal British Legion Pensions - where the money goes
EVERY year The Royal British Legion helps thousands of ex-Service people gain access to often vital funds war tear pension and Ministry of Defence compensation claims.
There are currently twice as many war pension claims than there were in the 60s, 70s or 80s. The Legion believes that these claims trill continue as awareness about war Disablement and War Widow's Pension increases.
In many cases, ex-Service people or their widows need to claim these extra payments to avoid debt or poverty, but aren't aware that they are entitled to them until they approach The Legion.
The Legion's Homes Department:
Provides residential and nursing care at seven long-term Care Homes in Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk, Somerset, Kent. Sussex and mid-Wales.
Provides two-week welfare breaks at three homes in Somerset, Merseyside and Northern Ireland. These breaks are specifically for those in need of rest and recuperation following an illness, bereavement or a particularly stressful time in life.
Provides high dependency care at its nursing home. Gavin Astor House: homes for single, disabled and disadvantaged men at Mountbatten Pavilion: and remedial and rehabilitation breaks for the disabled at the Churchill Centre - all based at The Royal British Legion Village in Kent.
In 2000 the Legion's Pension Department: Helped secure around �15 million in war Disablement and War Widow's Pensions. Assisted ex-Service people and Service widows with approximately 6,000 new War Pension claims in 2000 - over half of all new claims submitted to the Department of Social Security's War Pensions Agency. Dealt with some 43,000 on-going War Pension cases. Provided free representation at some 6,00 War Pension appeal cases in 2000 - 93per cent of all appeals. Advised War Pension claimants about War Pension allowances - eg. mobility allowance, unemployment supplement and constant attendance allowance.
In 2000 the Legion's Pension Department:
Helped secure around £15 million in war Disablement and War Widow's Pensions.
Assisted ex-Service people and Service widows with approximately 6,000 new War Pension claims in 2000 - over half of all new claims submitted to the Department of Social Security's War Pensions Agency.
Dealt with some 43,000 on-going War Pension cases.
Provided free representation at some 6,00 War Pension appeal cases in 2000 - 93per cent of all appeals.
Advised War Pension claimants about War Pension allowances - eg. mobility allowance, unemployment supplement and constant attendance allowance.
Key facts about War Pensions:
You don't need to have served in a war to receive a War Pension - National Service men, peace-keepers and members of the Territorial Army qualify.
Injured or disabled Service men and women can receive a War Disablement Pension from the Department of Social Security's War Pensions Agency.
If a Service man is killed while on duty; their widow receives a War Window's from the War Pensions Agency.
There is no time limit for making a claim for a war Disablement or War Widow's Pension - although these pensions are only awarded from the time of application.
You don't have a to have a physical disability or illness to qualify -psychological illnesses relating to Service are also recognised in war pensions claims and appeals.
The Legion's Compensation Section
This section assists those taking action against the Ministry of Defence to cases, of military negligence. In 21100, settlements negotiated by the Legion reached over �12 million.
Where the money goes...Legion Homes
The Royal British Legion works to provide ex-Service people with a home or somewhere to stay for a short break after illness or bereavement.
The Legion's Homes Department:
Provides residential and nursing care at seven long-term Care Homes in Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk, Somerset, Kent. Sussex and mid-Wales.
Provides two-week welfare breaks at three homes in Somerset, Merseyside and Northern Ireland. These breaks are specifically for those in need of rest and recuperation following an illness, bereavement or a particularly stressful time in life.
Provides high dependency care at its nursing home. Gavin Astor House: homes for single, disabled and disadvantaged men at Mountbatten Pavilion: and remedial and rehabilitation breaks for the disabled at the Churchill Centre - all based at The Royal British Legion Village in Kent.
Nursing and residential care - These care homes bring together ex-Service people and Service widows with similar backgrounds and problems. Health problems can be psychological as well as physical and in the case of veterans, frequently relate to their time in Service.
Long-term care-With one quarter of people requiring some form of care at the age of 60: 40 per cent requiring some form of care at 70; and some 70 per cent requiring some form of care at 80; the Legion expects demand for places in its long-term care homes to increase.
Welfare breaks - The Legion is only just managing to meet demand from members of the ex-Service community who need a short stay at one of its Welfare Breaks Homes. The NHS does not have a scheme that offers welfare breaks, so the Legion fills this void by providing breaks to some 4.000 members of the ex-Service community annually.
The Churchill Rehabilitation Centre - Many parts of the country are unable to provide rehabilitative care or can only provide it infrequently making recovery a very lengthy process. The Churchill Centre helps by providing two-week rehabilitation breaks for ex-Service people who need physiotherapy, occupational therapy. hydrotherapy and (in some cases) speech therapy.
Mountbatten Pavilion - Provides ex-Service people who have nowhere to go with a temporary home and helps them adapt to civilian life. It also provides se yore disabled ex-Service people who are unable to work with a permanent home where they receive care and support.
Gavin Astor House -This home offers a high level of nursing care for people with yen serious disabilities. It varies from the Legion's other long-term care homes because its residents span all generations and can be as young as 18.
