The Royal British Legion has seen an increase in the number of veterans and their families in need of help with the cost of living and over the last 12 months has issued 20% more grants to help with food and basic living costs than in the previous year. The charity anticipates that the number of applications for help with the most urgent needs such as food, clothing and temporary accommodation will jump significantly in the coming months.
RBL has announced a new set of emergency energy cost top-up grants which will help those struggling to pay their energy bills with up to £200 per month depending on their financial circumstances.
Military widow and RBL beneficiary Frances Metcalf said: ‘My energy bills have increased by more than 100% in the past year. The cost of food is going up. Everything you can think of - interest rates, insurance. In February and March of this year I hardly turned the heating on and kept myself warm using a hot water bottle. The worry is the worst part. You can’t eat because of worry, and you don’t know which way to turn. The financial support the RBL has given me has helped no end - without it I would really struggle.’
