Page 11 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 58

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Benevolence Report – September 2021

“General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be” – Jane Austen
It is always humbling to attend meet- I have previously explained the Applications for assistance must
ings of the Benevolence Committee, process of obtaining financial support be made on the Common Application
the most recent of which was held for those who may have fallen on hard Form (Form A) or equivalent and
on 28th September and once again times or find themselves in need due to must be initiated by the applicant and
revealed some interesting informa- age or infirmity. The ACC Association submitted by SSAFA Forces Help, the
tion. The average request for assistance cannot help directly as we come under Royal British Legion or other recog-
has increased slightly from £624 to the remit of The Royal Logistic Corps nised welfare authorities. A caseworker
£632 for the ACC. Across all grants, the for all matters benevolence related. will be assigned by the relevant organ-
average this year was £592 compared to However, provided an applicant meets isation, assist with the completion of
last year at £624. In the whole of 2021 certain criteria, help is always available. Form A, and make a recommendation.
to 31st August there were 50 ACC The aim is to provide speedy relief in Any application made direct to The
cases awarded a total of £31,647. Over cases of proven need, hardship, or dis- RLC Benevolent Fund will be referred
the same period in 2020, 49 ACC cases tress and I carry out a number of audits back to an appropriate caseworker in
were awarded £31,047. Once again, to confirm that this is indeed the case. the first instance. Details can be found
it was thought that a reduction in the Eligibility rules and assistance criteria online or by contacting the Secretary
number of SSAFA and RBL casework- apply but are designed to be as broad who will always be pleased to assist.
ers (who tend to be retired members of and helpful as possible. Once a case is submitted, it will be
the community) due to the pandemic, The criteria for eligibility are incred- considered for a grant. Once every six
may have resulted in a blockage of appli- ibly generous featuring just one day months The RLC Benevolence Committee
cations being processed and the buildup of full colour service in the ACC (up meets to audit cases during the previous
of a ‘bow wave’ of applications for the to 1993) or in The RLC (from 1993) period, review the finances and make any
future. The number of RLC cases as at including the TA/Army Reserve. necessary recommendations. Prior to each
31st August 2021 was 157, again out- Dependants (wives or husbands of an meeting, the Secretary will review/audit
numbering the total cases for each eligible applicant) and widows or wid- a number of cases and occasionally, one-
forming Corps by a significant margin. owers of a serving or former member off applications are made and considered.
It will be interesting to see the number of may also apply provided they have not I have yet to find a case that has not been
cases submitted as we go through 2021 remarried or co-habit with another. given the most thorough consideration
as the current prediction is for around However, eligibility would be restored and financial support where necessary.
670. This represents a significant reduc- if a subsequent marriage ends in divorce Editor: If you have any queries about eligi-
tion on case numbers in 2019 which was (or death) of the other spouse or the bility and how to apply for assistance, please
1631 and 1004 in 2020. However, funds relationship ends. contact SSAFA, the RBL or the Secretary.
are available for any eligible applicant
based upon an assessment of the need.
One particular exceptional award VETERANS IN
is worthy of mention, whilst maintain-
ing the anonymity of the applicant. NEED (CIC)
A grant was made for the elderly wife of
a former ACC soldier (he passed away in PROVIDING HELP FOR ALL
2005) for a rebuild project. The total cost OF UNITED KINGDOM’S
was £26,000 with £8,000 contributed by UNIFORMED PUBLIC
The RLC to help complete the project
SERVICES, VETERANS &
to make a kitchen and bathroom func-
tional and habitable. The remainder of FAMILIES
the cost was paid for by other charities.
The impact of COVID-19 has had a We created the website to Help & Assist all Veterans, Forces Personnel, Families, Police
Officers, Fire Fighters, Members of NHS, Prison Officers, and members of the Community.
direct impact upon benevolence expend-
The website is full of Help & Information plus Application Forms that you can download
iture in 2020/21, in many cases driven together with forms that you can complete and send online.
by a reduction in requests for grants. We are all Volunteers consisting of Veterans, Retd Police Detectives, Doctors, NHS Nurses,
The RBL and SSAFA have been forced Lecturer’s, Senior Mental Health Advisors, Members of the Community. We raise funds
through donations for advertising space. All Excess funds are donated to Charities &
to scale back planned visits to those in
Invested in the Community. We Help Everyone, no matter how big or small the Problem.
need. Fewer requests have been received
www.veteransinneed.org. uk contact@veteransinneed.org.uk
from individuals although it is thought
that applications will increase following Twitter: veteransinneed3 Facebook: Group: 385143429218959
the pandemic. At no stage has The RLC Veterans In Need CIC
constrained their benevolence activity or
grant making.

SECRETARY@ACCASSOCIATION.ORG | WWW.ACCASSOCIATION.ORG PAGE 11