Financial Assistance

  

Welcome to your Financial Wellbeing page!

As a branch we recognise that the life of a police officer and their families comes with unique challenges. Policing can be demanding, and the financial aspects of this profession often require specialised attention. We want to assure you that help and support is available, tailored to your needs.

Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the financial challenges that you may be facing. Whether you're seeking guidance on budgeting, debt management or planning for your family's future, we've got you covered.

Your financial wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of your family, is of great importance to us. We're here to walk alongside you, providing reassurance that help is readily available. Start exploring our resources, and please don't hesitate to reach out for guidance and support. We are dedicated to making your financial journey more secure and less stressful.

 

Pay PLan

Debt advice made simple. Get help with debt over the phone or online for FREE, whichever works best for you. Call 0800 316 1833 or visit their website at PayPLan

Step Change

A debt charity offering free debt advice. Speak to one of their advisors on 0800 138 111 or visit their website at www.stepchange.org

Farleys Solicitors LLP

Debt & Insolvency Solicitors and one of our member service suppliers offers free advice sessions. Call Mark on 0796 007 7252 or visit our dedicated page https://www.polfed.org/lincs/farleys-debt-advice/

 

 

Tax Refund Company

If you pay tax, there’s a fairly high chance you’ve paid too much. As a member of Lincolnshire Police Federation, you are eligible to have your tax code checked by professional tax experts at The Tax Refund Company. Lincolnshire Police Federation members using this service previously have received an average refund of £195 each.

Check your tax HERE 

Federation Subscriptions Tax Relief

The amount you can claim in each tax year varies slightly as subscriptions are revised annually. Normally, the tax relief will be applied through an allowance in your PAYE code. Visit our subscriptions page for further information HERE

Uniformed police officers are also entitled to claim an allowance of £140 (from 6 April 2008) to cover the costs of renewals and repairs of footwear and also the cost of dry cleaning and laundry of uniforms.

In theory, if the costs exceed £140 in a tax year, then an officer can write to the Inland Revenue to claim a further allowance but they would be required to produce receipts to support the extra expenditure claimed.

Simply download the relevant letter below, add your details and send to your local tax office to get the rebate on your subscriptions.  Or contact Inland Revenue online.

Claim tax relief for your job expenses - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

 Visit our dedicated page HERE

 

Short -term Financial Assistance Scheme

All officers can apply through the force for a short-term salary advance to alleviate financial hardship and stress up to a maximum value of £1,000 (per annum) to be repaid over a maximum of 12 months at 0% interest.

To apply visit the force intranet page and search for the short-term financial assistance application form. This application must be supported by your line manager or appropriate individual if your manager is not present. There are no tax (PAYE) implications to this scheme.

Charitable Fund

Established in 1974 this is a Charity set up by colleagues within Lincolnshire Police whose objective is to provide relief and assistance to it’s members who through a variety of reasons are suffering through hardship or distress. Assistance includes grants, assistance with mileage, Christmas monetary gifts to children, loans and other emergency funds. Subscription is £2.00 per month.

Contact the fund administrator Vanessa Mawer at email: charitable.fund@lincs.police.uk

Police Care UK

Police Care UK is a charity for serving and veteran police officers and staff, volunteers, and their families who have suffered any physical or psychological harm as a result of policing. They are independent of the police service and offer practical, emotional and financial support in a confidential and safe environment.

Call 0300 0120030 or visit their website: Police Care UK

Blue Lamp Foundation

PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation offers re-enablement, specialist, immediacy and bereavement grants to all officers who become injured whilst carrying out their duty. You do not need to be a member but applications for assistance must be submitted within 6 months of the injury occurring.

Call 0871 2345999 or visit their website: Blue Lamp Foundation

 

Serve & Protect Credit Union

A not-for-profit organisation passionate about improving the financial resilience of officers. They work across the public sector to help employees save and borrow with repayments straight from their salary.

Call 0121 700 1222 or visit their dedicated page here: Serve & Protect

Affinity Leasing – Vehicle Finance

Special offers for members of the Federation.

Call 0800 0607070 or visit their dedicated page here: Affinity Leasing

No1 CopperPot Credit Union

The biggest police credit union in England and Wales helping officers to save and borrow affordably offering loans, mortgages and savings products.

Call 0161 741 3160 or visit their dedicated page here:  CopperPot

Police Insure (A Plan)

Dedicated to providing the right Police insurance cover for home, car, motorcycle and landlord insurance.

Call 0161 7624416 or visit their dedicated page here: Police Insure

Police Mutual

Offering a range of financial services for officers including mortgages, savings, life insurance, debt advice and more.

Call 01543 441630 or visit their dedicated page here: Police Mutual

My Blue Light Mortgages

Whole of market brokerage to find the cheapest mortgage products for officers offering fee free advice.

Call 0203 0059092 or visit their dedicated page here: My Blue Light Mortgage

Police Mortgages

Fee free mortgage advice for officers on over 90 leading UK lenders.

Call 0330 0884687 or visit their dedicated page here: Police Mortgages

  

Money Helper

Previously known as the Pensions Advisory Service provide free independent advice regarding pensions. They have a wealth of information and tools on their website that are free of charge. They also offer advice on savings, investments, budget planning and debt.

Visit their website here: Money Helper

Fuse App

All officers and staff can download the free Fuse health and care app offering a variety of information and services including links to Lincolnshire Police Financial Toolkit. You can register for the app at the following address: www.fuse-wellbeing.com/signup/3d7726

Octopus Money Coach

Working for Lincolnshire Police means you are entitled to unlimited confidential financial coaching for 12 months with Octopus Money Coach. They offer free one-one support sessions which will allow you to:

• Talk about your current goals and finances
• Learn how you could improve your finances
• Ask questions about managing your money, employee benefits, and anything else on your mind

To book a session click on this link: Lincolnshire Police - Octopus Money

MJC Wealth Management

Offering bespoke advice to officers on investment planning, retirement planning, preserving your estate whilst providing protection for you and your family.

Call 07583 767679 or visit their dedicated page here: MJC Wealth Management

 Police Money Matters

Police Money Matters have created financial education materials to support a variety of financial circumstances and life-stages. Whatever your situation, choosing to attend one of the PMM financial education workshops will allow you to develop a better understanding of how to manage your finances and navigate through different life circumstances.

Police Money Matters - supporting the financial wellbeing for the Police Service

 

 If you are a member of the Group Insurance Scheme and facing a pay cut under regulations you will be entitled to claim up to 20% of scale pay for a period of 26 weeks. The force can also choose to apply discretion when deciding if officers should drop to half or nil pay under criteria laid out in Police Negotiating Board Circular 05/01. If you would like support and advice on how we can make those representations on your behalf, please reach out to your local rep or Federation Office on 01522 305460 for further details.

 

Having a will is of paramount importance for police officers due to the unique and often high-risk nature of their profession. A will ensures that their wishes regarding the distribution of assets, custody of dependents, and the appointment of trusted individuals to handle their affairs are legally documented and followed in the event of their unexpected circumstances.

This legal instrument provides peace of mind, financial security, and the smooth transition of responsibilities, helping officers protect their loved ones, while also preventing potential disputes or complications during an emotionally challenging time.

The following organisations can assist with advice on will writing and lasting power of attorney:

Accord Legal Services

One of our member services providers offering a fee free basic will with the opportunity to speak with an advisor. Call them on 01744 807048 or visit their website at www.accordlegalservices.co.uk

Knights Legal Services

Another of our local service providers offering a discount on will preparation with a free, no obligation 30 minute chat. Call them on 01522 888555 also visit their dedicated page on our site HERE 

 

Tax-Free Childcare Vouchers

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year). Visit the Government website for further details here: Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK

Cycle2Work Scheme

Substantial savings through a tax and National Insurance free scheme set up by the Government and Department for Transport to help promote healthier journeys to work and reduce pollution and congestion. To apply visit the force intranet for further details.

Blue Light Card

As a member of the emergency services, you can apply for a Blue Light discount Card. The card costs £4.99 and is valid for 2 years. The card provides store and online discount to a wide range of high street shops, cafes and restaurants. Visit their website for more details: Blue Light Card

In addition to bespoke financial support for police officers and staff, there are also a host of websites and services which offer financial support and advice, which are useful for everyone.

Council Tax

In some circumstances you may be eligible for a reduction in council tax. Eligibility varies between councils, but you may be entitled to a reduction if you are:

• in receipt of benefits
• have a low household income
• live on your own
• receive or provide care
• have a disability

Contact your local district council to find out more. Some councils will also offer hardship relief and may be able to reduce the amount you pay for a temporary period.

Special Constables are also eligible for council tax discounts. Those living in the district council areas of South Kesteven and South Holland may be eligible for a 25% reduction on their total council tax bill. More information and details of eligibility for the South Kesteven and South Holland areas can be found here:

• South Holland info - Council Tax Discretionary Reduction - South Holland District Council (sholland.gov.uk)
• South Holland policy - Microsoft Word - SHDC S13A Policy - 202122 (sholland.gov.uk)
• South Kesteven info - Council tax discounts (southkesteven.gov.uk)
• South Kesteven policy - southkesteven.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=28244&p=0
• South Kesteven application - ashx (southkesteven.gov.uk)

Special Constables living in other districts are eligible for a discount on the County Council and policing elements of their council tax, but not the district council element. It is recommended that you speak with your district council to find out more about eligibility and how this discount is applied.

Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service was setup by the government to provide free and impartial advice about finance. Their website contains lots of interesting articles, and they also offer a free Whatsapp based anonymous contact option. They also offer useful tips for people who are considering payday loans, and outline alternatives which might be more suitable.

Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert is a website offering free budgeting spreadsheet, comparisons for utilities, and different ways of borrowing, as well as a link to a free credit score checking service that won’t change your overall rating. You can sign up for regular emails provide the latest news and advice relating to all things financial.

They also have blogs/guides on:

• Claiming cash back for wearing uniform at work
• Claiming back some tax for those who have had to spend some of their time working from home during the pandemic
• Advice on how to boost your income

Benefits Calculators

Use an independent benefits calculator to find out what benefits you’re entitled to and how to claim them. Below are a small selection of free to access calculators:

EntitledTo provides a free benefits calculator to help you establish what benefits you may be entitled to claim. There is information on income-related benefits, tax credits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance and more.

 Turn2US has a free, confidential benefits calculator that identifies what you may be entitled to claim, along with information on income-related benefits, tax credits, council tax reductions, carer’s allowance and more.

Policy in Practice provide a free benefit and budgeting calculator and information on income-related benefits, tax credits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance and more.

Addictive Behaviour and Financial Support

For some people they may find that they need financial help, alongside help to tackle habits which have got out of control. These can be habits that have developed as coping mechanism to deal with the stress of financial strain, or addictions that have contributed towards financial problems.

There are a variety of charities who provide support in helping you to identify behavioural addictions, for example:

Gambling

GamCare

Gamblers Anonymous

Alcohol

NHS Alcohol Support

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcohol Change

Drugs

Talk to Frank

Change Grow Live

Smoking

NHS Quit Smoking

Shopping and spending

UK Rehab

Counselling and Chaplaincy Support

We know that the stress of financial pressure can have a negative impact on mental health and relationships, but support is available. For a confidential listening ear, you can speak with the chaplain or one of the volunteer chaplains about anything that is concerning you, in a safe and supportive environment. The chaplaincy service is there to support all employees and volunteers. Support is available to people of all faiths, or none. Their faith guides why they want to support people but the conversations themselves are only religious if you ask for that support. To contact the chaplaincy service text Tanya on 07436 530 242 or visit the intranet page for more information.

You may wish to speak with a trained psychotherapist or request relationship counselling, both of which can be accessed by calling or submitting a referral form. The counselling service is totally confidential, aside from discussions between clinicians to ensure appropriate support is provided. An initial assessment is undertaken to identify the root cause of your challenges before you are then assigned a psychotherapist to work with. Further details can be found on the intranet or on the ‘dashboard’ section of the Fuse app.

In both cases everything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be shared with your prior consent, or in exceptional circumstances where a safeguarding risk is identified.

24/7 Support Line

If the pressure of financial worries is causing you real angst and leading you to have dark thoughts about self-harm and/or suicidal ideation you can contact the 24/7 support line by calling 07868 778 617. The line is answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to give you the required support and advice, helping you to take positive steps forwards.

Wherever possible access to the line remains totally confidential and it is only when a situation cannot be de-escalated that information would be shared to ensure your safety. To date there has not been any occasions where they have needed to be informed of callers’ identities.