IF YOU NEED SUPPORT, telephone the RBL on 0808 802 8080 8am to 8pm 7 days a week (but check eligibility* below first)

Inside the UK, calls to 0808 numbers are FREE from both landlines & mobiles

Outside the UK, use:

Republic of Ireland: +1800 992 294 (free)  Elsewhere overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080 Call: +44 (0)20 3376 8080 (full rate)

YOU CAN ALSO GO DIRECT TO

VETERANS' GATEWAY

( https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/ )

which links to a number of organisations supporting ex service personnel and their families and dependents

OR

The Combat Stress Help-line 0800 323 4444 (UK calls are free)

OR

You might also contact the UK Government's Armed Forces Covenant for support and advice:  https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

OR

Contact your own Branch Community Support Officer

via e.mail: or 'phone

RBL Members can also create their own RBL account and log-in to RBL HQ for in-depth information and assistance. Go to the main Web site's "Support Login" page by just clicking-on THIS.

*Just so you know who can expect our support...

Those eligible for Royal British Legion support services, known as beneficiaries, can be summarised as:

• People who are serving or who have served in the UK's Armed Forces
• Their dependants
• Their carers

IN MORE DETAIL...

Eligible Service Beneficiaries are:

• Serving personnel, or those who have previously served
• Reserve or Auxiliary personnel, or those who have previously served
• Those who have served with the Mercantile Marine afloat in hostile waters
• Current or previous full-time members of Allied Civil Police Forces
• Those entitled to the campaign medal issued to the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force to those giving them direct support or under their command
• Any member of Voluntary Aid Societies who has served full-time and in uniform in direct support of the United Kingdom Armed Forces
• Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who has served at least seven days in the Forces of an Allied nation and received seven days' pay from that nation
• Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who served in a resistance organisation of an Allied nation during hostilities in which the United Kingdom Armed Forces were engaged
• Any man who served in the Home Guard for at least six months, or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit for at least three months
• Any man who was awarded the Defence Medal in respect of service in the Home Guard or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit.

Eligible Dependants are:

'Dependants' can include children, spouses and partners, including widows or widowers. Other dependants also include relatives and cohabiters of a beneficiary or those dependent on them. 

Eligible Carers are:

Carers have been included in the eligibility criteria for support services since 2008. This was to recognise the service that they provide to those who have served in the Armed Forces and to provide them with the assistance they need to carry on this role.

'Carers' are those who have an ongoing caring responsibility for a beneficiary. 

Other eligible beneficiaries 

The Legion can also provide support to beneficiaries working for the UK Armed Forces that fall under the following categories:

• Beneficiaries living overseas
• Commonwealth citizens
• Past and present members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families.

Financial assessment 

Some of our services have additional eligibility criteria. For example, services providing financial assistance require an income and savings assessment and may not be offered to beneficiaries with incomes or savings above the relevant thresholds.

Examples of the support services available 

• Small business advice
• Business interest free loans up to £5000
• Essential repair loans for property
• Homeless temporary accommodation
• Support and advice to those in prison
• War pensions advice
• Help for war widows
• Disability claims and tribunals
• Careers information
• 6 care homes for short or long term stay including 4 with dementia facilities
• 4 centres for short term breaks
• Remembrance travel to war graves in Europe 

To find out more about any of these services please ring

0808 802 8080 any day, including weekends, between 8am & 8pm

(inside the UK, calls to 0808 numbers are FREE from both landlines & mobiles)

or go to...

www.britishlegion.org.uk