Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). 

This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

RAND Europe Research: Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

RAND Europe is currently undertaking research to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) Benevolent Fund and Greenwich Hospital in understanding the current and future size, demographics and support needs of RAF and Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM) Service People, Veterans and Families.

We are recruiting participants!

As part of our research, we want to better understand the experiences of current and former RAF, RN and RM serving personnel and their families. We are intending to do this through interviews and surveys, focusing on:RAF, RN and RM families' experiences of military life, military-to-civilian transition and post-Service life.
Issues/challenges former and current Service personnel and their families may be experiencing in relation to day-to-day living, health and wellbeing (including mental and emotional), education, housing, finance and employment.

Experiences with accessing support and perspectives on how support to RAF, RN and RM families could be improved.

​Who is eligible to participate?

If you fall into any of the following categories, we would love to hear from you:Serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve).

Partners of serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve). This includes long-term partnerships (> 12 months), civil partnerships and married partners.
Former serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (i.e. those who have previously served for at least one day in the RAF, RN or RM).

Partners of former serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve). This includes long-term partnerships (> 12 months), civil partnerships and married partners.

Bereaved partners of RAF, RN and RM service personnel.
Individuals who are divorced or separated from a currently or formerly serving RAF, RN or RM Serviceperson.​

To participate please follow this link Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

A reminder about electric heater safety in the home from DIO/Pinnacle