Poppy Funds

HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED

The Royal British Legion can provide support to serving and ex-Service people and their dependants who are suffering financially. The Legion is also there for those who need urgent assistance to get through a temporary crisis, such as homelessness, or providing a loan scheme.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS SCHEME (For those in urgent need)

If you have financial difficulties and don't know where to turn for help, The Royal British Legion can provide support to Service and ex-Service people and dependants through our Immediate Needs Scheme.

It's designed to help those who need assistance to get through a temporary crisis, such as homelessness. We want to be able to help ex-Service people and their dependants in their time of need.

These are a few examples of the areas that the Scheme's grants and loans can provide for: essential household goods, family break-up, help with debt and access to debt counselling, mobility aids including electrically powered vehicles, travel costs, temporary accommodation, rental deposits, training and property repair loans. So if you, or someone you know, needs our help please contact the Legion. We'd like to be able to help.

For help in Derbyshire contact Poppy Support in Derbyshire or if outside Derbyshire by sending an email to grantsandloans@britishlegion.org.uk

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HOMELESSNESS (Help for those who find themselves homeless)

For every four people who have no home, one of them is ex-Service. That's why The Royal British Legion is there to support and offer practical assistance to every ex-Service man or woman and dependants, who is homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

We can't offer an actual place to live, but we can help in many other ways. For example, we can give good advice on finding somewhere to live and getting a job. Through our Immediate Needs Scheme we can provide grants for rental deposits, the cost of setting up a new household, essential goods such as a cooker or fridge, relocation costs and assistance for partners and children. So if you, or someone you know, needs our help please contact the Legion. We'd like to be able to help you.

For help in Derbyshire contact Poppy Support in Derbyshire or if outside Derbyshire by sending an email to grantsandloans@britishlegion.org.uk

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SMALL BUSINESS LOANS (Help for those starting a new career)

We know that leaving the Forces and finding a new job can be a hard time for many Service men and women. Despite having years of experience and many transferable skills, the transition into a civilian working environment can often be difficult. We can help those with the drive to set up their own business.

Short-term contracts that offer no security or career growth are frequently all that is available. It is no wonder that many Service people feel that the only way they can provide for their families, and find job satisfaction, is to set up their own business. But who can help you turn the opportunity of self-employment into a success?

The Royal British Legion is there to help those with the drive and determination to set up their own business. We can offer direct practical help, advice and information on how to take the first steps to start up a new business. The Legion can also offer guidance in various aspects of business management, training and funding.

In some cases we can offer interest-free loans and enable eligible people to become self-employed. These loans can help ease the start-up costs associated with setting up a small business. Please contact us for more details.

For help in Derbyshire contact Poppy Support in Derbyshire or if outside Derbyshire by sending an email to business@britishlegion.org.uk

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PROPERTY REPAIR LOAN SCHEME (Help for those in urgent need)

Even the smallest of properties need essential repairs or renovation to keep them maintained. If you are living on a restricted budget, such as a pension or a disability allowance, finding the extra funds needed to carry out vital work can become a huge problem. For ex-Service men, women or their dependants, who are either retired or disabled the Legion Property Repair Loan Scheme could be the answer.

To apply for our interest-free loan, the property must be freehold or have a minimum of 60 years remaining on a lease. The minimum amount of loan is £4,000. The maximum that can be borrowed is £10,000, plus set up costs: the loan must not represent more than 25% of the applicant's equity in the property.

The loan will be made in the form of a mortgage upon the property to be repaired and insurance will be required to cover the Legion's interest. A survey, legal and any other costs of arranging the loan will be added to the amount of the loan for repayment by the borrower.

Repayments can be made during the life of the loan, or in a lump sum when the property is sold, or from the estate after death. To find out more about the Property Repair Loan Scheme, and for full conditions, please get in touch with the Legion.

For help in Derbyshire contact Poppy Support in Derbyshire or if outside Derbyshire by sending an email to grantsandloans@britishlegion.org.uk

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PRISON IN-REACH (Help for those serving a prison sentence)

Through our national network of trained Caseworkers, The Royal British Legion is working jointly with SSFA Forces Help on a Prison In-Reach programme. Together, we can offer advice and practical support to ex-Service people who are serving a prison sentence and their immediate dependants.

For those in prison, our Caseworkers can provide a caring and confidential link to the outside world. We can help prisoners who are due for release prepare for a smooth transition to life outside again by discussing resettlement needs. This could be education, including distance learning, training, learning a trade and guidance on getting a job.

Legion Caseworkers are also there to help families through the difficulties often experienced during the sentence by showing them how Prison In-Reach can support them. For example, through our Immediate Needs Scheme we could help with paying rent, buying household goods such as a cooker or fridge, as well as children's clothes, school uniforms and books. We can also help with relocation costs and practical help with housing and debt.

Unfortunately we cannot make cash grants or assist with 'quality of life' items. We are also unable to offer legal or appeals advice, although we can suggest relevant organisations.

For help in Derbyshire contact Poppy Support in Derbyshire or if outside Derbyshire; for individuals telephoning Legionline 08457 725 725, or for families by sending an email to info@ssfa.org.uk

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