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Citizens Advice launches dedicated web information pages for armed forces

17 March 2010

Advice on finances, benefits and pensions for Serving Personnel, veterans and their families now online

New windowAdviceguide.org.uk, the self help website from Citizens Advice, has launched new information pages for serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. Dedicated free resources on finances, health, pensions and housing are now online. The information covers a diverse range of topics, from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to how to obtain reduced travel costs and includes contact details for a wide range of other supporting welfare organisations.  

In addition, all Citizens Advice Bureaux have been issued with updated advice for clients from these groups covering these areas.

The information update has been carried out as part of the partnership Citizens Advice has with The Royal British Legion and the RAF Benevolent Fund. This funds specialist benefits and money advisers in bureaux and in-house at The Royal British Legion who give assistance to current and former Service personnel.

Joel Phillips, Project Manager at Citizens Advice said:

"Those who are serving or have served and their families need bespoke information as they are often entitled to dedicated forms of assistance and require advice on specialist topics. Creating a specialist resource on our self help website for those connected to the Armed Forces is part of the wider support Citizens Advice has been giving to these clients. Our partnership with The Royal British Legion and the RAFBF has assisted over 10,000 people with benefits and money advice over the last two years."

New windowAdviceguide.org.uk gives reliable, up-to-date information including frequently asked questions and downloadable fact sheets on a wide range of topics. Information is continuously reviewed by a team of advisers and covers England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Paul Hughesdon, Director of Welfare and Policy for the RAF Benevolent Fund said:

"The RAF Benevolent Fund is delighted to see new dedicated online resources being made available through the Citizens Advice website. Providing multiple pathways to tailored advice is a key element of the Benefits and Money Advice Service and we look forward to more Armed Forces families being able to access this service and getting the help they need online, as well as through participating bureaux."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.
    For more information in England and Wales www.citizensadvice.org.uk
    For more information and 2008/9 service statistics see Introduction to the service
    For 2008/9 service highlights see the Citizens Advice service impact report
    For 2008/9 social policy campaigning highlights see the Citizens Advice social policy impact report
  2. 46 Benefits and Money caseworkers are based in selected Citizens Advice Bureaux across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with an additional seven in-house TRBL advisers based at its headquarters and regional offices. These are dedicated specialist advisers for those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served or their dependents. To locate a participating bureau see New windowwww.rafbf.org/help/financial-need/find-your-nearest-cab.htm
  3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  4. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at over 3,300 locations across England and Wales.
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2 million clients on 6 million problems from April 2008 to March 2009
  6. Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk
  7. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)
  8. Citizens Advice Guide to your rights, second edition: January 2008 - over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops; price £11.99; ISBN: 9780141034089
  9. Follow Citizens Advice on Twitter: twitter.com/CitizensAdvice
  10. Subscribe to Citizens Advice press releases via RSS news feed: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/pressoffice