Continued from page 1

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension payments for the most seriously disabled are now disregarded from the means test for Disabled Facility Grants issued by Local Authorities in England and Wales. The grants will help with the costs of adapting their homes. The maximum available grant is £20,000.

Building on success

Mike Jackson House, based at Aldershot, has recently celebrated its first, successful, year and the MOD is in the process of gifting land in Catterick to build a second facility. This will provide secure short-term supported accommodation for young single Service Leavers identified at risk of homelessness. The project will be funded by the Dept for Communities and Local Government, English Churches Housing Group and ex- Service charities. Construction is expected to start later in 2009.

Seamless transfer onto benefits

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed to use Forces medical board evidence in place of their own medical assessments, provided it has been conducted in the previous three months in advance of eligibility. DWP and MOD are working together to ensure this commitment is delivered as quickly as possible.

Early entry to the New Deal Programme has been granted to Service partners and partners of those who have recently left the Forces (having served as a regular for at least three months in the last three years). The Programme will provide access to a personal adviser to help with their job search. Jobseeker’s Allowance must be claimed to allow access to this help.

Community pilots

All six mental health pilots are now up and running, providing dedicated help for veterans with mental health problems. If successful, consideration will be given to rolling the programme out nationally. Further information on the pilots can be found on page 4.

Taking the commitment further

Kevan Jones has a strong belief that the Command Paper is a catalyst for Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations working differently. Armed Forces Advocates have now been appointed in these organisations to ensure the commitments promised can be delivered and that veterans remain high on the Agenda. Veterans WORLD will continue to report on progress in future issues.