Armed forces covenant
We are committed to giving fair support to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Armed Forces Covenants
In 2013 we signed the Cumbria Armed Forces Covenant and the Eden Armed Forces Community Covenant. This demonstrates a clear commitment that we actively seek out ways in which we can assist the armed forces community, particularly those who will be leaving active service and making the transition to civilian life.
The purpose of the covenants is to encourage support for the Armed Forces community working and living in Eden and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces. This includes those currently in service, ex-service personnel and their families.
The Royal British Legion top five policy changes
The Royal British Legion has requested that policy makers make five changes to support armed forces veterans. The following three are relevant to district councils:
- Councils should fully disregard military compensation payments when means testing for Council delivered support.
- Councils should make tangible changes to social housing allocations.
- Councils should prioritise Disabled Facilities Grants applications where the disability is as a result of service in the Armed Forces.
The support we offer
We offer practical support in the following ways:
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Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Scheme - we fully disregard military compensation payments in calculating eligibility and have done so since the 1990s. For more information on how the benefit and reduction system are calculated, see our web pages on how housing benefit is calculated and paid and Council Tax reduction is calculated.
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Homelessness - The No Second Night Out scheme is for homeless people sleeping rough. It identifies those at risk of homelessness and builds links with private sector landlords, which may be of benefit to veterans most at risk during the transition process.
Carlisle and Eden Forces Link
The Carlisle and Eden Forces Link is a local project, which offers support for the ex-service community throughout Carlisle and Eden districts. It aims to improve links between local and national support organisations and those members of the local ex-service community who need that help. It aims to coordinate services across Carlisle and Eden to help create greater opportunities and support locally.
Carlisle and Eden Forces Link can provide further information on:
- Support available.
- Dates for lunch or breakfast clubs.
- Volunteering.
- Offering a service or opportunity.
Forces Link is a project supported by Cumbria CVS, The Armed Forces Covenant Small Grants Fund, Carlisle City Council, Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council’s Local Committees for Carlisle and Eden.
Forces Link contact details:
- Contact: Forces Link Engagement Worker (Carlisle and Eden)
- Email: forceslink@cumbriacvs.org.uk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForcesLink
- Twitter: twitter.com/ForcesLink
Armed Forces Champion
Councillor Henry Sawrey-Cookson he is our armed forces champion.
Veterans Gateway
The Veterans Gateway website provides support for veterans and members of the ex-service community helping them to find the information and advice they need for healthcare, housing, employment, finances and more.