1. The Core Objectives of the AFBVC are:

1. To assist veterans, former serving members of the UK Armed Forces, who are in charitable need as a result of injury or other harmful experience suffered during their service, to resettle and rehabilitate into civilian life.

2. To relieve the needs of veterans, former members of the Armed Forces, and their immediate dependents who are in charitable need.

2. Who we can help

1. Requests for grant funding are invited from ex-UK Armed Forces personnel and their immediate dependents who can provide definitive proof of service:

   • a. Grant applications must be submitted online via our grant form below.

   • b. If submitted by a Third Party approved by the veteran, the application must be filled in with the name and contact details of the veteran in charitable need.

2. A grant applicant must have or be able to quickly obtain Verification of Service (VOS), some form of photo Identification (ID) and a Verification of Address (VOA), on application. An email copy of your discharge documents together with some form of identification would be good (image of passport or driving licence) and recent official documents with your name and address on. If no VOS, ID or VOA is received within 14 days of application the grant will be closed. Please do not apply unless you have, or can quickly obtain VOS, ID and VOA. If you have no fixed abode, then you may still apply.

3. Applications can be considered from those who are unemployed, on low income, self-employed or working part-time. You will need to provide evidence that you are in receipt of benefits or suffering hardship.

4. Unfortunately we cannot accept requests from veterans who reside outside the UK (temporary residence in the UK will not be accepted).

3. What we can help with

1. We make grants in several categories as follows:
   • a. To help veterans and their immediate dependents settle into rented housing through paying for bonds, and up to 2 months’ rent and any admin fees. The grant capped for this will be based on average rents in different regions of the UK. Please note: we cannot act as a guarantor.
   • b. Necessary domestic equipment required for basic living needs.
   • c. Short term hardship funds e.g. utility bills, food vouchers, bedding or other essential basic living needs. Sadly, being a small charity, we cannot support any veteran in the medium to long term.
   • d. Support in the clearing of debts for rent, utilities or other such necessary items, subject to an assessment of the likely beneficial impact on the veteran’s life.
   • e. Funds for training courses which have a reasonable likelihood of leading to employment for the unemployed, or to help veterans move from minimum wage to a living wage or better.
   • f. Rail, bus or (by exception taxi) expenses for unemployed veterans to and from courses/interviews/meetings that have a reasonable likelihood of leading to employment or to help them to integrate into society.
   • g. Funding for Laptops, tablets and phones for digital inclusion purposes. The Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) offer funding for the provision of Laptops where it is needed to secure training leading to employment. We can supply basic models only (unless needing something specific due to a disability) and only preloaded sim cards for mobile phones.
   • h. Disability Support (only if these are not provided by NHS/local Council):    
     • i. To help gain access to services
     • ii. Assistance for mobility equipment
     • iii. Home adaptations
     • iv. Motorcycle adaptations through our funding of National Association of Bikers with Disabilities (NABD)
2. Please note the following caveats:
   • a. Applicants who apply for a grant for a course that has already been booked, or for bond or rent for accommodation where tenancy has already been agreed or any services agreed in advance of payment, do so at their own risk. The AFBVC cannot short cut its decision making processes or checks to meet the deadlines of the applicant or any third parties.
   • b. We never pay public funds into your personal bank accounts. We pay only third party service providers directly, after we have conducted checks.
   • c. We only supply goods from reputable main street retailers - though this can done either direct or online. We do not order through Amazon, Etsy etc due to difficulty in getting timely refunds/replacements. We are currently unable to supply food vouchers through Tesco.
   • d. If we pay out grants in advance of services e.g. training courses, rent etc, and subsequently your situation changes, you must immediately inform us so that we can recover funds from the provider or organisation.
   • e. The total grant limit is set at £3,000 for any veterans (any previous grants will also be included in this total), and will only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances in a crisis situation, if agreed by the AFBVC Trustees.

4. Exclusions The AFBVC cannot fund:

• Individuals who have not served in the UK armed forces or are not the immediate dependants of living, ex-armed forces personnel. We regret we cannot support dependants of deceased veterans.
• Expeditions, academic courses, medical treatment, therapy, holidays and non-NHS approved treatments (or training to deliver such).
• Startup capital for new businesses or any capital deemed to be supporting an existing business. Essential training, tools and equipment for sole traders or potential sole traders can be considered for which a business case/justification can be made.
• Projects concerned with travel, adventure, sports or recreation.
• Driver training for new drivers. We can only fund one licence category per grant, and only if it likely to lead to employment. A full UK licence must already be held.
• Vehicle repairs, funds toward vehicle purchases, servicing, fuel or any other related expense.
• Gifts or presents including birthdays, Christmas or anniversaries.
• Support for veterans who are currently serving a custodial sentence - although we can offer support to the veteran's dependents in line with our grant policy. Grants by veterans released on licence or those facing a possible custodial sentence will be considered on a case-by-case basis to protect publicly donated funds
• Individuals who are receiving considerable grants from other agencies, unless it is part of multi-agency and charity emergency funding.
• Funerals

5. What happens next?

1. A grant investigator will be in contact by email within 48 hours of receiving your application, this will be from an @afbvc.co.uk address. Make sure to also check your spam folder for this email.
2. All applicants will receive a response from the AFBVC whether or not their application has been successful. Feedback on grant outcomes is appreciated and is required in support of repeat applications.
3. The AFBVC receives many more applications than can be supported and even if your grant meets our requirements we may not be able to help. In all cases, Trustees will ensure that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
4. You should not submit any further requests if you have a current grant in progress. If you find you have additional needs, speak to the grant investigator processing your grant.

Please note:  A grant request will be cancelled if any AFBVC Trustee or Grant Investigator is subjected to abuse or threats whilst considering or processing a grant request. We operate a zero-tolerance policy.