Website https://www.rnbt.org.uk/
Contact Information https://www.rnbt.org.uk/contact/
Who RNBT Support https://www.rnbt.org.uk/about-us/who-we-help/
The Trusts main function is to make financial grants, in times of need and crisis, to serving and ex-serving RN ratings and RM other ranks and their dependants. This means any RN rating between the Rate of Junior Seaman, (JR) and Warrant Officer, (WO). For RM Other Ranks, between Marine, (Mne) and Warrant Officer (WO).
RNBT can consider those who entered the Service as a RN Rating or RM Other Rank but have subsequently taken a commission and become an Officer, but only after the RN Officer’s Charity (RNOC) has considered in the first instance.
For those who joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service, (WRNS) and left before 31 October 1993 then the WRNS BT should be approached for consideration. If a WRNS rating continued to serve after 1 Nov 1993, then both the WRNS BT and RNBT can be approached in tandem. For women who joined after 31 October 1993 then only RNBT should be approached. WRNS Officers can approach the Royal Navy Officer’s Charity, (RNOC).
RNBT can consider children’s needs but only after the Naval Children’s Charity (NCC) has been approached and have considered. Where a child becomes independent, but through life changing circumstances becomes re-dependant, e.g. major physical and or mental trauma which leaves them incapacitated indefinitely, then RNBT can consider by exception, cases submitted to support the dependant, (See below).
Personnel who joined the Queen Alexandria’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, (QARNNS) prior to April 2000 should approach the RN&RM Charity (RNRMC). For those who served after April 2000 then RNBT can consider applications.
The RNBT also administer the Royal Naval Reserve Benevolent Fund for those who served in the reserves as a rating. This includes Womens Royal Navy Reserve (WRNR) but not commissioned.
Whilst all cases are considered on their own merit, there is an unwritten pecking order for considering assistance. Last Service 1st applies to most if not all applications. If a person joins the Army or Air Force and then transfers to the RN, RNBT will lead and vice versa.
Where a person is a RM, RNBT will defer to TRMC in the first instance.
Officers commissioned from the ranks, RNOC 1st then RNBT if a shortfall remains.
RNBT would also expect that if a person spent 20 years in one Service and then transferred and spent 2 years in the RN then the charity where most of the Service is spent should lead. This should also be considered when the persons predominant career is, say for example, as a firefighter and a limited time in the Armed Forces, then the civilian employment related charity should always be a significant consideration when Case Workers are submitting applications.
Before any grant is made, the RNBT Grant Administrators must satisfy themselves that the applicant is eligible for assistance as a member of The RNBT Family, that the applicant is in receipt of (or is claiming) all the statutory and other State Benefits to which they are entitled and that it is reasonable to accept the accuracy of material statements made in support of the application for financial assistance.
"Eligible Beneficiaries" (i.e., being a member of The RNBT Family) includes the categories listed below:
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A person who has served or is serving as a rating or other rank in "Our Naval Forces" (as defined in the RNBT Royal Charter Article 34 (1)), hereinafter referred to as a "Primary Beneficiary".
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The spouse of a Primary Beneficiary provided that the spouse is normally domiciled with and dependent on the Primary Beneficiary.
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A child of a living or deceased Primary Beneficiary (including a legally adopted child and a child for whom the Primary Beneficiary is not the natural parent but who is normally domiciled with and dependent on the Primary Beneficiary) provided that the child is:
i. under the age of 18 or,
ii. over the age of 18 but undergoing further education or training which follows secondary education without a significant break or,
iii. over the age of 18 but disabled to such an extent as to be unable to live independently, even if after having been independent for a period and subsequent to a life changing event.
- The widow(er) of a Primary Beneficiary who has not remarried and not currently cohabiting with another person or whose subsequent spouse has died, provided that at the time of the Primary Beneficiary's death, the widow(er) was normally domiciled with and dependent on the Primary Beneficiary.
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The spouse of a Primary Beneficiary when the spouse is estranged and not normally domiciled with the Primary Beneficiary provided that the spouse is not cohabiting with another person.
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The divorced spouse of a Primary Beneficiary provided that the divorced spouse has neither remarried nor is cohabiting with another person.
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A person who was in a permanent relationship with and dependent on a Primary Beneficiary. The widow(er) of a Primary Beneficiary who, at the time of the Primary Beneficiary's death, was not normally domiciled with the Primary Beneficiary provided that the widow(er) has neither remarried nor is cohabiting with another person.
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The divorced spouse of a deceased Primary Beneficiary, provided that the divorced spouse has neither remarried nor is cohabiting with another person
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A person who was in a permanent relationship with and dependent on a Primary Beneficiary immediately prior to the Primary Beneficiary's death, provided that the person is not cohabiting with another person.
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A parent who was normally domiciled with and dependent on a deceased Primary Beneficiary immediately prior to the Primary Beneficiary's death.
- A parent of a Primary Beneficiary where the Primary Beneficiary is the principal carer of the parent, (for the consideration of respite costs). Similarly, the sibling of a Primary Beneficiary where the Primary Beneficiary is the principal carer, (for consideration of respite costs by exception).
Grants are not to be made in the circumstances specified below, but an Exceptional Application may always be submitted for consideration. A phone call in advance can normally give a decision on whether there would be any consideration.
- to a member, or person in the Family Unit or Other Dependents of a member, of any of the Trust's Committees.
- as a loan, (never)
- for memorials,
- for fines, court costs and legal fees, (other than bankruptcy charges and custody cases),
- for a deposit or other costs involved in the purchase or sale of a house, flat, houseboat, mobile home or caravan, etc.
- towards the payment of accommodation rental deposits (and associated costs).