Benevolence
Notes for SSAFA and TRBL Caseworkers
All caseworker are advised that HQ REA have strict eligibility rules and criteria for verifying service in the Corps of Royal Engineers for those applying for financial assistance through the REA benevolence system.
Verification of Service (VOS) criteria
Queries about our VOS criteria should be directed to the Controller of the REA.
What can the REA assist with?
How to apply for benevolence assistance
Benevolence expenditure
The tables below shows the number and expenditure for individual benevolence cases considered during 2020 – 2017
| Category | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Disabled & Illness | 145 | 116 | 166 | 163 |
| Aged | 13 | 22 | 41 | 32 |
| Widows | 38 | 45 | 63 | 51 |
| Unemployed | 119 | 76 | 128 | 119 |
| Miscellaneous | 106 | 210 | 124 | 129 |
| Grants not made | 87 | 120 | 31 | 51 |
| Totals | 508 | 589 | 553 | 545 |
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Some recent cases with which we have assisted
Some examples of benevolence grants made in 2020:
Widow of Spr – The REA authorised a grant of £1,000 towards bathroom adaptation costs for the widow of a former Sapper.
Reservist – The REA authorised a grant of £2,500 towards a powered wheelchair for a former RE Reservist. ATC/WRAC, ABF and Independence at Home also authorised grants.
Spr – The REA authorised a grant of £250 towards white goods for a former Sapper. Poppyscotland also authorised a grant.
Spr – The REA authorised a grant of £600 towards rent arrears for a former Sapper. An approach to The Royal British Legion and ABF was authorised.
Widow of Spr – The REA authorised a grant of £600 towards a riser/recliner chair for the widow of a former Sapper.
Spr – The REA authorised a grant of £1000 towards priority debt for a former Sapper. Poppyscotland also authorised a grant.
Thank you letters
Some of the thank you’s received in 2020:
“Thank you so much for your help……your generosity means so much”
Assistance with rent and white/brown goods – Feb 2020)
“….assistance has helped towards keeping my home secure for which I am extremely grateful..”
(Grant towards a replacement door – Apr 2020)
“Just to say how grateful I was for your donation…”
(Assistance towards funeral costs for a former Sapper – Oct 2020)
Main Service Charities
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
We give a lifetime of support to soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, when they are in need. We make grants to individuals through their Regiments and Corps and support a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world.https://www.soldierscharity.org/#
We help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families all year round. We also campaign to improve their lives, organise the Poppy Appeal and remember the fallen.https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
We put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/