Defence Online

DWP increases funding for specialist support for veterans

Homeland September 26, 2019

More armed forces veterans will be helped into work thanks to new funding that will secure additional specialist support in job centres.

Up to £6 million of investment will mean the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can fund more than 100 ‘Armed Forces Champion’ posts, dedicated to supporting veterans and their spouses readjust to civilian life. The champions will be stationed across the country.

Armed Forces Champions deliver employment support and benefits advice to former servicemen and women, and raise awareness of particular issues faced by veterans and their families. There are currently 46 Armed Forces Champions in the UK.

Many of the job centre staff who are Armed Forces Champions have previously served in the forces and draw upon their own experiences to help veterans move forward.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey said: “The armed forces do our country proud and we are forever grateful to them for the sacrifices they make in order to serve our nation.

“The Sun rightly champions the importance of looking after our heroes and their families – both while they are serving and once they have left the forces.

“This welcome new funding will provide specialist, individual support to former service personnel and their families as they take the first steps to find a job and receive the financial support they are entitled to, helping them better readjust to civilian life.”

image © Crown Copyright

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Post written by: Matt Brown