We're dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community – wherever they are.
Our team are just a phone call or an email away. If you’re calling from overseas you can reach our helpline team on +44 (0)20 3376 8080. Lines are open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week (UK time). You can also email us on info@britishlegion.org.uk.
From helping to ease the burden of financial pressure, to support with debt and emergency situations, to providing specialist compensation advice – RBL can be there for you when things get tough.
We also have 96 branches outside the UK who are on hand to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
I never know what people will ask me – but there are so many ways RBL can help.
Every year we help thousands of people when they need it most.
Our grants scheme can provide essentials for you and your family in times of need. This could include food or clothing vouchers, funeral costs, mobility vehicles and aids or even household appliances and furniture.
Whatever your situation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch as we will consider almost all requests. However, we are not able to help with repayment of business debts, loans, legal expenses, medical care or where state assistance or statutory
services are available.
Find out more about how we help
Take a look at our FAQs below for further information.
If you need a translator
If you are unable to pay for an interpreter, our grants scheme may be able to help you. We can help provide an interpreter if you’re in need of medical care or you need support to access state services.
Call our team on +44 (0)20 3376 8080 to find out more or email us info@britishlegion.org.uk.
Compensation advice
If you have suffered an injury or illness due to you service, we can help you claim under the War Pensions Scheme. Our experts can provide advice and information and may be able to represent you at a tribunal for free, if you want to take further action.
However, please be aware that although advice and preparations can take place remotely, tribunals and hearings will always have to be lodged and heard in the UK.
Find out more here or call us on +44 (0)20 3376 8080.
Help with disability benefits
We provide specialist disability claims advice and support for the Armed Forces community. We can also help you through an appeal tribunal hearing if you want to dispute a decision.
Our advice and preparations can take place remotely however please note that disability benefit tribunal hearings have to be heard in the UK.
Find out more here or call us today on on +44 (0)20 3376 8080.
Financial advice
Our advice team are based across the UK but are there to help you wherever you live.
We give confidential and impartial advice on how to make sure that you're getting any UK state benefits you're entitled to. We're also able to help you sort out any debts you may have with UK banks.
Find out more here or call us on +44 (0)20 3376 8080.
Useful contacts
We will do everything we can it some cases we may refer you to other organisations to ensure you can get the support you need as soon as possible, including:
- The Department for Work and Pensions can give you information about benefits, insurance, employment, pensions and medical care abroad.
- GOV.UK is a useful online source of information about living abroad, education, employment, money and much more.
- The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website contains information about individual countries, what to do if something goes wrong, and contact details for embassies.
- Heathrow Travel Care gives information on its website for British nationals who are returning to the UK. It also provides independent crisis social work based at Heathrow Airport, and is working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to help vulnerable people returning to the UK to access support and services.