Apply for Financial Help

Applying for a Grant: A Step by Step Guide

We have created step by step instructions on how to apply for a grant from The RNBT.

Need help with your application? Please get in touch – we are here to help. Contact The RNBT Helpline by calling 02394 216294 (Monday-Friday between 0800-1600) or by sending an email help@rnbt.org.uk.

Note: If you are currently serving, we recommend you contact your local Royal Navy Family & People Support first.

Step 1: Check that you qualify

The first step is to check that you qualify for support. Are you an eligible beneficiary? (See: Who We Help) Are you in financial need or distress? Do you need financial assistance from the RNBT to help you achieve a reasonable quality of life?

Step 2: Apply online or through a Caseworker

For grants of up to £750, you can apply online on the Lightning Reach portal. This is for one-off financial assistance from The RNBT related to food, clothing and pre-payment utility costs, (for those resident in the UK only) where we will consider your needs and may support you with financial assistance.

If your application is likely to require assistance above £750, or for all other forms of assistance, please contact either SSAFA or the Royal British Legion to arrange for a Caseworker to contact you and create a report that The RNBT will action.

Alternatively, a qualified Caseworker from one of the organisations that work with The RNBT – SSAFA, the Royal British Legion , and the Royal Navy Family & People Support – will contact you and will then complete an Application for Assistance on your behalf, setting out your personal and financial circumstances.

Step 3: Your Caseworker submits your application

The Caseworker will submit the Application for Assistance to The RNBT which will be vetted by our Grants Administrators who may liaise with other charities as part of the almonisation process. The majority of cases are decided upon by the Grants Administrators, but more complex or costly applications are passed to the Grants Committee for consideration.

Step 4: Your Grant application is reviewed

Each Grants Committee decision is approved by three Committee members, who are themselves serving or ex-serving RN ratings or RM other ranks.

Once your application has been made, a member of the Grants Team will be in touch as soon as possible, this is usually within 3-5 working days.

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Lost your job? Need help with re-training for employment?

If you are considering your options for future employment, training, learning or wanting to diversify, The RNBT and others have funding available to help you retrain to secure employment.

Simply find a suitable training course and then apply for funding following the steps above or by contacting your local SSAFA or Royal British Legion, asking them to raise the necessary paperwork so that it can be forwarded to us for consideration. You will need to provide details of the course and future employment if applicable.

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Concern or Complaint

Do you have a concern or complaint about The RNBT? Please tell a member of staff or our Director of Grants and Engagement as soon as possible, so they can quickly understand your concerns and try to put things right. This can be quickly achieved by a telephone call to 023 9269 0112 (Option 2). If you are not happy with the response to your concern and/or you want to make a formal complaint, please get in touch with us using our contact form here or by sending us a letter.