3.   Due to the charity being in state Restricted Amber, requests for grant funding can only be considered from ex-armed forces personnel and their immediate dependents who can provide definitive proof of service and meet the following strict criteria:

a. Grant applications must be submitted online via our grant form below. 

b. Grant must be filled in with the name and contact details of the veteran in charitable need (if this is not possible, please use the contact afbchairman@gmail.com for advice).

c. We make grants to help veterans and their immediate dependents settle into rented housing through paying for:

(i) bonds, advance of up to 2 months rent and any admin fees (The grant capped for this will be based on average rents in different regions of the UK). 

(ii) necessary domestic equipment required for basic living needs.

Note: we cannot act as a guarantor.

d. To provide short term hardship funds e.g. fuel bills, basic food, bedding or other essential basic living needs in difficult situations only. Sadly, being a small charity, we cannot support any veteran in the medium to long term.

4. The general grant limit is set at £3000 and will only be exceeded:

    a)  in exceptional circumstances agreed by the AFB Veterans Charity Trustees any previous grant will also be included

    b)  in crisis situation, on a majority agreement by trustees:

i) uncapped provision for funds can be granted for use in extreme cases to help veterans who have already reached the grant limit 

ii) or who are deemed to be in a desperate situation. 

c) Please also note, that we do not pay public funds into your own personal bank account as we pay third-party service providers directly after we have conducted checks.

5.   Applications can be considered from those who are unemployed, on low income, self-employed or working part-time, you will need to provide evidence that you are in receipt of benefits or suffering hardship. 

6. Feedback on grant outcomes is appreciated in any case and is required in support of repeat applications 

7. All applicants will receive a response from a trustee whether or not their application has been successful 

8. Note: A grant request will not be considered or will be cancelled if any AFB Trustees are subjected to verbal abuse or threats whilst considering or processing a grant request, as we operate a zero-tolerance policy.
9. Note:  

a)  You should not submit any further requests if you have a current grant in progress. If you find you have additional needs, speak to the grant manager or grant investigator processing your grant.

b)  A grant request will not be considered or will be cancelled if any AFB Trustees or Grant Officers are subjected to abuse or threats whilst considering or processing a grant request, as we operate a zero-tolerance policy.

Amber Exclusions

The AFB does not fund: 

● Individuals who have not served in the UK armed forces or are not the immediate dependants of ex-armed forces personnel. 

● Individuals who are in stable employment above the living wage and do not receive benefits.

● Individuals (expeditions, academic educational purposes, medical treatment, therapy, holidays or funerals and non-NHS approved treatments or training).i
● The clearing of debts.
● Startup capital for new businesses or any capital, tools, products or equipment deemed to be supporting a business.

● Tools or equipment to support hobbies or leisure pastimes.

● Projects concerned with travel, adventure, sports or recreation.

● Driver training for new drives (only fund one licence category per grant, only if it leads to employment and a full UK licence is held). 

● Vehicle repairs, funds toward vehicle purchases, servicing, fuel or any other related expense. 

● Gifts or presents including: Birthdays, Christmas or Anniversaries.
● The AFBVC have been advised that the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) have established specific funding for the provision of Laptops for Veterans under the category of being in IT Poverty and for which a Laptop is needed to secure Training leading to Employment.  To this end, AFBVC has currently ceased to provide funding for Laptops, therefore, where needed, Veterans are advised to contact the DWP or RBL in the first instance.

● Support for veterans who are currently serving a custodial sentence, although we still offer support to the veteran's dependents in line with our grant policy.  Grants by veterans released on licence or those facing a possible custodial sentence will be considered on a case-by-case basis to protect publicly donated funds

● Individuals who are receiving considerable grants from other agencies, unless it is part of multi-agency and charity emergency funding. 

● Any requests from veterans who reside outside the UK (temporary residences will not be accepted). 

The AFB receives many more applications than can be supported and even if your grant meets our requirements we may not be able to help. In all cases, trustees will ensure that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.