Veterans who are struggling with the increased cost of living are being urged to take advantage of new grants worth up to £200 a month.
The Royal British Legion has launched Everyday Needs Grants for members of the Armed Forces community.
The grants are worth up to £2,400 per year, and are designed to help people finding it hard to pay bills or purchase essentials.
The scheme is open to serving and ex-serving personnel as well as families, dependants and carers including current and former spouses, partners and widows or widowers.
Anyone struggling with increasing costs is encouraged to apply, whether or not they are already in receipt of means-tested state benefits.
The programme is designed to provide quick and easy help with essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes and energy costs.
The Royal British Legion noted a 20% rise in requests for support with urgent needs, such as food and household costs, over the last 12 months and is expecting this to increase further over the winter.
Meanwhile, working-age adults in the ex-Service community are more than twice as likely to receive a sickness or disability benefit than UK adults, according to research by the Royal British Legion.
MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse commented: “I am delighted to see these measures by the Royal British Legion bring some protection to those struggling under the weight of the cost of living crisis.
“Veterans have, and continue to contribute vast amounts to our local community here in Bath. It is only right that those who have given so much can claim help, especially amid the current economic climate.
“Help is also available for people who are not necessarily linked to the Armed Forces, so I encourage all who are eligible to apply to do so.”
