Jump to content

ScarletPimpernel

Registered Users

Change your profile picture
  • Posts

    6,425
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    30

ScarletPimpernel last won the day on January 30 2019

ScarletPimpernel had the most liked content!

Reputation

5,631 Excellent

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

  1. I think it's certainly snake oil, and may just be an enormous bluff. Cireco is not registered with ICO, nor is it named as a trading name of RLP (which it should if they claim it's under their registration). They can't process data without consent, and I don't think their silly 'shoplifting register' falls under the data processing exemption for crime prevention or legal reasons, since all are just unsubstantiated allegations.
  2. Are you getting help for the obvious anxiety you are suffering? Although you may think it’s just how you are, anxiety can be treated successfully. If you find are often acting impulsively, I’d ask your GP about that too.
  3. This is an important development in the delivery of care for veterans: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/personalised-care-for-veterans-in-england-a-guide-for-clinical-commissioning-groups-and-local-authorities/ Bear in mind that the guide above is intended for those commissioning care. No doubt further details for service users will appear shortly.
  4. I can see that it's really difficult for you. As a veteran myself I know how much our pride can be a barrier to asking for help, but please don't think twice about it - you're entitled to the support you've earned.
  5. nick7602 - under the Armed Forces Covenant, as a veteran in housing need who has a serious medical condition or disability that has been sustained as a result of your service in the Armed Forces, you should be placed in Band A (top priority) by your local authority if you apply to them for housing. But do get in touch with the VWS as soon as you can - they have lots of experience in these matters. Shelter has veteran-specific advice - details are on the Veterans Gateway. There are also a number of organisations that provide housing for veterans - Alabare, Haig Housing, The Stoll Foundation and others; again, details on the Veterans Gateway. The RBL has a scheme to help with deposits if you decide on renting privately again.
  6. @nick7602 - thanks for coming back to me with those answers. There's one other question I should have asked, which is whether your PTSD is service-related - I'll assume it is unless you say otherwise. If so, you may be entitled to a War Pension and/or an Armed Forces Scheme Compensation payment - but bear in mind that I don't have all the info, so don't take that as a guarantee! I think your first port of call should be the Veterans Welfare Service. They are expert at providing advice in your type of situation, on benefits (including War Pensions and AFCS) , and making appropriate referrals. Just ring whichever office is closest to you. Short term, get in touch with the ABF; they can help with financial grants through Regimental Associations. You should also contact your local council, because you may also be entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit. Make sure you tell them you are a Veteran, because every council in the country has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and that will help you if eventually you need rehousing. If necessary, ask to speak to their Armed Forces Champion. Also, have a look at Veterans Gateway; it's a one-stop shop that has lots of information, including on employment. It's good to hear that you're getting help from Combat Stress, so you know to get in touch with them if you find it all getting on top of you. Of course, come back here if you need more help. Let us know how you get on.
  7. True; PTSD is not an excuse for behaviours, but it can be a causal factor in why people suffering from it struggle with everyday life. Housing benefit is one source of help, but there are many others. It's pretty good, but doesn't factor in AFCS payments, or AFIP. There are better sources of advice for veterans, but without a bit more detail it's difficult to signpost appropriately.
  8. A couple of questions that will help me point you in the right direction: Was your PTSD diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist (not a GP or self-diagnosed)? Are you having treatment now? Are you claiming Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit etc.? Are you in receipt of a War Pension or AFCS payment? Which Service were you in? Which part of the country are you in (i.e. England, Scotland. Wales or NI)?
  9. I've just completed my SC review and the format and some of the questions have changed since my last review. You are now asked whether you have ever had any financial difficulties, so the idea that anything not on your CRA file doesn't matter is no longer current. My advice is to declare everything (or at least to call NVS and ask whether you need to declare); you can also add an explanation to your forms. My experience has been, in assisting someone who had £40+k debts, and speaking to NVS as her line manager, is that they are looking for you to demonstrate integrity. Being in debt is one thing - and it may be a pointer to susceptibility to risk, but not fatal, but showing lack of integrity is a surefire way to lose your clearance. In the case of my staff member, I explained that she had been completely honest with me, that I had helped her to access a DMP, but that some debts were disputed or statute-barred and no payments were being made on them. They accepted this, and she was cleared with a review at 6 months and 12 months - all they asked was proof that she was continuing to engage with her DMP. I friend of mine, who has a DV clearance, went over his credit card limit - NVS simply asked him to show that he was paying off the overspend, and suggested that he stayed within the limit in future! The thing is that NVS aren't looking to find ways not to grant clearances; they are looking to show that people aren't at risk or likely to become security risks. Showing that you are dealing with issues is the important thing.
  10. The reason is that they want you to give them money. . . You know what to do!
  11. Because the DSAR departments actually understand data protection, whilst all the others don’t, and seem to think their role is to try to prevent access. In my case I understood why, as the SAR showed evidence that HSBC staff had deliberately lied to me to cover up an error they made. Later, one of their in house solicitors told me that he was fed up of their in house DCA continuing to pursue people when the legal advice was to cease activity because they didn’t have the paperwork. So although banks would probably like us to see them as one big happy family, not all departments talk to each other and people aren’t always well trained. I suspect that targets have something to do with it too.
  12. It's not as easy to save in the Armed Forces as it was. There are daily charges for accommodation, utilities and a monthly charge called CILOCT - Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax. Then there is food - since the introduction of Pay As You Dine the cost of eating has generally risen, unless individuals stick to the Core Meal, which is cheap, but usually dire. However, it's still cheaper than living alone in the civilian world. For many young soldiers this will be the first time they have had a decent disposable income, and my experience is that many of them become expert at disposing of it! Most recruits earn around £15k when they start. There's some useful advice about saving in the Forces at https://www.moneyforce.org.uk/Managing-money/Save-and-invest In terms of the apprenticeship issue, I think I can assure you that for the first few months of his Army career, your son will be too busy to think much about it!
  13. The address I used was this: HSBC, Griffin House, 41 Silver Street Head, Sheffield S1 3GG Unfortunately I don't have any of the correspondence any longer, and of course the department may have moved, but the address might be a start.
  14. @craigten - which part of HSBC have you been dealing with? A few years ago I was in the same position, trying to get data from HSBC, and they were being difficult. Trying to deal with their customer services was hopeless - every letter came from a different person, and they often contradicted themselves. However, I finally discovered that they have a department in Sheffield that deal with data disclosures - and they did know what they were talking about, and organised sending my data quickly.
  15. It is very difficult to make stick, and from the cases I have read about, poor mental health is often a feature, whilst in the case of CWD and their clients greed appears to be the motivational factor.
×
×
  • Create New...