Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Encyclopedia
Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
The Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency was a UK Ministry of Defence Tri-Service Defence Agency from April 1997 until it was merged into the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency on 2 April 2007....
(AFPAA) with the Veterans Agency
Veterans Agency
The Veterans Agenc was an Executive Agency of the UK government's Ministry of Defence . It was amalgamated into the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency on 2 April 2007.-History:...
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The formation of SPVA has led to the provision of a fully integrated set of ‘through life’ personnel services to the serving and veterans community - where a single contact with the Agency will grant access to customer information and advice on pay, pensions, compensation payments, records of service and medal entitlement.
The responsibility for all pension provision, whether a War Pension or an Armed Forces pension now falls under the direct control of SPVA, reducing the risk of omitting or duplicating information and providing a truly joined up pension service.
The SPVA operates from four main sites: Glasgow (Kentigern House), Gloucester (Imjin Barracks), Gosport (Centurion Building) and Norcross (Blackpool)
Strategic Intent
Dynamic delivery of appropriate, comprehensive and responsive through-life services to the serving and veterans' communities.Mission
Deliver reliable, trusted and efficient personnel services to the serving and veterans' communities.Functions
JPAThe Joint Personnel Administration
Joint Personnel Administration
Joint Personnel Administration is the intranet-based personnel administration system used by the British Armed Forces from April 2006 onwards, replacing the separate payment and administration teams from each Force...
(JPA) system rolled-out to the RAF on 20th March 2006, the RN in Oct 2006 and the Army in March 2007. JPA involves new, modern personnel administrative processes, based on harmonised policy and regulations. It has been delivered using a commercial software package and is accessible to all service personnel via Defence Information Infrastructure (DII). Individuals have access and responsibility for the upkeep of their own information and can make expenses and allowance claims on-line, via the self service facility. Continued improvement and development of JPA functionality is an on-going commitment. Most recent developments in 2010 have been 3 major JPA releases and monthly releases delivering improved system functionality and security.
AFCS
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a package for serving and former members of the Armed Forces. It is designed to provide compensation, irrespective of fault, across the full range of circumstances in which illness, injury or death may arise as a result of service. AFCS replaced the previous arrangements under the War Pensions Scheme and the attributable elements of AFPS 1975.The Scheme covers all Regular and Reserve personnel whose injury, ill health or death is predominantly caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. Tax free lump sum awards, up to £570,000, for injury can be paid in Service, with an additional monthly Guaranteed Income monthly payment, available for the most seriously injured, on leaving the Armed Forces.
Pensions
The Agency is responsible for the assessment ,award, payment and maintenance of all pensions relating to Service in the Armed Forces. This includes the Armed Forces Pension Schemes, Reserve Forces Pension Scheme and, for those disabled or bereaved through Service, War disablement pensions, related allowances and other payments to Veterans. The Agency provides accurate and timely payments to around 584,000 ex-Service personnel or dependants each month.
JCCC
The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) provides a 24/7 service to members of the Armed Forces and has built up an enviable reputation for service excellence. Handling over 90,000 telephone calls a year, it co-ordinates all work relating to current military fatalities, injuries and compassionate cases, including family liaison and repatriation. JCCC also co-ordinates investigations following the discovery of human remains of personnel from primarily the First and Second World Wars.
Medals
The MOD Medal Office is responsible for the assessment, engraving and awarding of circa 44,000 current campaign and historic medals a year to past and present members of the Armed Forces. Medals relating to Service dating back as far as World War II can still be claimed. Around 200 such applications per week are received from veterans and their families.
Veterans Badges
In addition, the Agency continues to administer the distribution of the extremely popular HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge, with over 811,000 issued as at Oct 2010.
Veterans Support
The SPVA’s Veterans Services Directorate provides support to anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces, even just for a day. This includes a free Veterans-UK helpline – 0800 169 2277 and website – www.veterans-uk.info, providing advice on benefits, compensation payments, pensions, employment and much more. For those with more specific needs, the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides one to one advice and support especially in respect of the statutory schemes (WPS and AFCS) , in the home if needed., VWS have five regional hubs known as Veterans Welfare Centres from 25 offices across the UK. Each centre acts as a first point of contact for welfare delivery, providing professional help, advice and guidance over the phone. From there, a Welfare Manager, local to the client, may be contacted if further assistance with resolving the clients issue is needed. SPVA also administers and manages the Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH) near Newton Abbot, Devon. The home provides residential and nursing care for former members of the Polish forces who served under British command during WWII in accordance with the Polish Resettlement Act 1947. Despite the increasing age of resisdents considerable demand for places at IPPH continues. The Home accommodates 98 residents, with an average age of 84.