SSAFA at your service

I am looking for people who have a military background or family connections and may now need assistance of some kind. I represent SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Caterham and Tandridge Division. Our purpose is to assist military personnel, either serving or retired and their families who may now be experiencing problems and could do with some assistance.

To all applicants I appoint a volunteer Case Worker who would visit the person in their home or elsewhere to assess what help is required and then try and provide that help. I find that in this area most assistance is requested by personnel or their relatives who have long since finished their military service although I am contacted occasionally by younger people. My phone number is 01342 893455.

Andrew Ostrer, Divisional Secretary, SSAFA.

SSAFA helps and supports those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve and the families of both. One day’s paid service in any of the Armed Forces is all that is needed to qualify for assistance from SSAFA.

This includes those who serve in our Reserve Forces and anyone who did National Service as well as close relatives, widows and widowers. Each year SSAFA provides a reliable, caring and trusted service to more than 40,000 people. SSAFA provides financial assistance for a wide range of needs like: Helping those entitled to apply for state and local benefits and war pensions; Seeking monetary support from civilian and Service charities and benevolent funds and making grants from its own resources; Help in organising and funding home adaptations or special equipment for the disabled which cannot be obtained from statutory sources.

SSAFA have more than 460 Divisions nationally. The local Caterham and Tandridge Division specifically covers the Lingfield, Caterham, Oxted and Godstone areas.