More support for veterans in Jobcentre Plus locations

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has increased its support for job hunting veterans, services leavers, and their families, at various Jobcentre Plus locations.

A new role of Armed Forces Champions Lead has been added, in addition to the existing 50 Armed Forces Champions. These Leads will be responsible for overseeing the Champions, and will be based in each Jobcentre Plus district.

The Champions will continue in their role of supporting Armed Forces personnel, and for raising awareness, amongst colleagues. They will also now personally handle some cases, and help to resolve more complex ones.

As a veteran you will be able to ask your work coach to signpost you to your local Champion for assistance.

Many of the Champions are ex-service too, or have family members who have served. So they are best placed to help you plan for your future.

To assist Armed Forces personnel further, an additional question has been added into the Universal Credit (UC) system. Now when you apply online there is the option to select whether you are a veteran, or currently serving. This identifier will make it easier to tailor support.

Paul Paskins, Armed Forces Champions Lead for the South West said:

Claiming financial support shouldn’t be a worry when adjusting to civilian life.

We want service personnel and their families to feel confident in claiming the benefits they’re entitled to, and access the support that is on offer through Jobcentre Plus.

Everyone who makes a claim to Universal Credit will be assigned a Work Coach at one of our jobcentres. They will assist them to help remove the barriers to work, help with CVs, interview skills and finding a job. A raft of support is available.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty also said:

Every Jobcentre Plus district in the country now has an Armed Forces Champion providing direct support to former services personnel as well as their families to help them make new benefit claims, and will sign-post them to other organisations where appropriate.

The new network of local Champions, and group leads, stationed in Jobcentres in England, Scotland and Wales will also support veterans to retrain and apply for work.

Visit Veterans’ Gateway Self help employment section. And remember our support team are available 24/7.