Welfare
Pensions.
The Injury Awards are still a cause for concern in Northumbria where they are appealing against every case that the members win. It would appear that one of the national cases has gone to judicial review and forces are waiting to see if it is upheld. If it is it will mean they will have to change their methods (and probably have to repay everything to affected members). As I have said repeatedly we are very fortunate to have a supportive Chief and Police Authority. Their new procedure is in place which will affect new recipients but means there is no retrospection to catch those of us with Injury Awards. I mentioned earlier the letter to be sent out by the force to those with Injury Awards asking for information. If you have any questions by all means give me a ring, my details will be on the letter but the permission needs to be signed. It is something we have all signed in the past and Mouchel have,I am assured, had the information previously. It is a ‘catch up’ to make sure no one has been missed and relates to relevant information we are obliged to provide. I hope to have all the questions about the check sorted out BEFORE the letters are sent!
If you have any questions about your own State Pension etc. then the free phone number is 0845/6060265 or for those on the Internet information can be found at http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/
Welfare.
I continue to keep in regular contact with Margaret Hunter and ‘fingers crossed’ all is running well at the moment. I know some of you missed notification of some of the bereavement notices. I should remind you that Margaret is dependent on the next of kin passing on information in time and also on the postal system, which seems to have forgotten that we pay to have our mail delivered. I can assure you that where the information has come at short notice the force does use first class post to try and get the letters out as quickly as possible,. I would also remind you of www.homeinstead.co.uk. It provides home care in the form of visits and any other requests that you may have i.e. Gardening, shopping, washing etc. They provide help round the country for a fee. However it is ‘manned’ by volunteers and they are always looking for anyone who may be able to help them in all areas of the country. If you have some spare time and would like to help your local community it may be worth a look.
The Police Dependants Trust
The PDT is recycling cartridges and mobile phones through a company called The Recycling Factory as a way to increase their funds. They have contacted all police forces to get serving officers involved by using uniquely coded envelopes. If you would like to donate the envelopes are available by ringing 0800 091 0696. The PDT was set up in the late 60’s as a charity solely for the purpose of helping police officers and/or their families, who were either killed or seriously incapacitated due to the special hazards of policing. Anyone in receipt of an injury award on top of any police medical pension is eligible to make a claim if they need assistance and must be registered. The system is working and I will keep it going as long as it is needed. If you think you are eligible to register please contact me – it is vital you register as you never know when their assistance may be required.
Incapacity/Disability Living Allowance/DSS benefits.
I continue to receive questions with regard to all sorts of benefits. Don’t forget, there are a number of benefits that you may have, or are entitled to claim, many of which are NOT means tested. It is possible you are missing out on extra assistance particularly if you have been retired for some time and have not previously made any claim. If you have had any problems PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. If you are eligible for benefits or allowances please claim or register, the only person losing out is yourself (or your family). If you would like some help or advice with this or any other benefits please ring me on 01642/714727. Wordshop are also available to provide advice regarding DSS and other benefit issues: email sbc@wordshop.co.uk. Full information is available in Narpo News.
By Post: Benefits Information Consultant,
Wordshop,
7, Tilton Court,
Digby Road,
Sherborne,
Dorset,
DT9 3NL
By Fax: 01935 812800
Membership Changes
a) Bereavements since the last meeting.
Full members Bill Smith, Ted Woodward, Geoffrey Robinson, Chris Bover and widow members Ethel Wykes and Joan Ashton, and serving officer Malcolm Davidson.
b) Changes of Address.
Freda Barras (Poole) Ivy Lancaster (Bishop Auckland)
c) New Members.
Full members Dave Brunskill, Dave McManus, Steve Robinson, John Coates, Ray Brown, George Short, Mark Braithwaite, Eugene Tait, Colin Whitfied, Janette Halliday and Widow Members Michelle Davidson and Anne Woodward.
The current membership stands at 1160.
There are two points I would like to mention. Sadly the welfare department and myself are reliant on calls from members or their families to pass on information. Where this has not happened the force has been unable to send notices to members. Similarly if I am not informed about changes of address I may lose touch with some members for a time. Please! Let the welfare department or myself know about any changes.
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