Don’t Lose Out On Your UK Pension or Benefit Payments
From the 31 January 2014, all payments made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to accounts in a Euro zone country such as Spain will need an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and Bank Identification Code (BIC). After that date banks in the Euro zone will not accept any DWP direct payments without these details.
If the DWP does not already hold these details for your account then you will soon receive a letter asking for them. You should complete the attached form and return it to them as soon as possible. Failure to do so may mean your payments will be stopped. You can get the IBAN and BIC details from your bank account statement or directly from your bank.
If you have not received a letter from the DWP then that will mean they already have your details so you don‘t need to do any-thing further. Those who receive their pension or benefit into a UK bank account are not affected by this change.
For more information about the change to European bank ac-count numbers visit The European Commission website at http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/payments/sepa/index_en.htm
Spanish Government Widens Healthcare Cover
As pledged in last year’s Healthcare Reform measures, this September the Spanish government announced guidelines for the new Convenio Especial (or Special Scheme).
The Convenio Especial is a public health insurance scheme through which those who don‘t have access to state-provided health-care can pay a monthly fee to get cover. This does not apply to state pensioners, workers, those who have exhausted unemployment benefits, those who registered as residents in Spain before 24.04.12, or their dependents as they should already have their own health cover.
The scheme will be nation-wide, but managed by each autonomous region which will have the option of including different services over and above the basic package announced by the Government. Policy holders, including children, will pay on an individual basis and be able to receive access to public healthcare anywhere in Spain, regardless of preexisting conditions.
The announced basic monthly fee will be 60€ for the under 65s and 157€ for those aged 65 or over. However, prescription costs are not subsidised so it is likely you would pay the full cost. Further information will soon be available from your local health centre.
Hard Work Reconised
Age Concern short listed as Charity of the Year for its work in Spain. Age Concern España’s work in helping English-speaking older people through local sup-port and its national Casework Service has been recognised at the prestigious European Diversity Awards event held in London on Thursday 26 September 2013. The European Diversity Awards honour individuals, companies and community groups throughout Europe who have excelled in the field of diversity.
Age Concern was one of eight charities from around Europe which had been short-listed for their excellence in embracing and celebrating difference and diversity. Judy Arnold-Boakes, President of ACASA, the national service providing arm of Age Concern España said ―Through our Case-work service, we help older people who fall on hard times to get back on track. We don’t judge anyone – our trained Casework Volunteers help older people from all walks of life who are having to manage very difficult circumstances, often caused by unforeseen changes such as ill-health, financial problems and isolation.
Age Concern was one of two Spanish charities short-listed for the awards, the other being Apoyo Positivo, a Madrid based organisation which helps people with information and support about Aids. The winner was the UK’s Amy Winehouse Foundation, which helps to prevent the effects of alcohol and drug misuse amongst young people. Eileen Dry, President of Age Concern España said ― We are honoured that our national and local work has been recognised, we are a small organisation which does a very big job. The European Diversity Awards helps to publicise our work worldwide, and the contribution of all our volunteers who work so hard on behalf of older English-speaking people living in Spain‖. For Casework enquiries e-mail: casework@ageconcern-españa.org or call 902 00 38 38.
Poppy Appeal
This year‘s Poppy Appeal campaign runs from October 26 to Nov 11. Every Poppy helps the Royal British Legion to support the British Armed Forces past and present and their families both in the UK and overseas. There is no minimum donation and your contribution truly counts whatever the amount!
in Spain following a family breakdown wrote: I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work and help that you have offered to me at this difficult time. You have been so kind and helpful and I really don’t know what I would have done…
A beneficiary and her two young children recently supported by the Legion
The right way to wear a poppy: It is a matter of personal choice whether an individual chooses to wear a poppy and also how they choose to wear it. There is no right or wrong lapel, leaf position, time of day, or start date to wear your poppy.. The best way to wear a poppy, is to wear it with pride.
When to wear a poppy: The correct time to wear a poppy is whenever you feel that you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with all who serve. Tradition-ally, our Poppy Appeal runs for the two weeks leading up to Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, whichever is later. Poppies are offered during the campaign but you can wear a poppy all year round to show your support for the Armed Forces‘ community past and present – whether this be a pin, brooch, wrist band or the paper poppy.
For Poppy Appeal Enquiries in Spain please contact the Poppy Appeal Coordinators: District North: Mr. Robin Hargreaves – poppy.rbl.dns@gmail.com; District South: Mr. David Harpin – theold-harpin@yahoo.co.uk and for further information and details of Remembrance services in Spain visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spain-south. For Welfare Enquiries – please contact, Donna Wilson: dmwilson@britishlegion.org.uk; Tel: 902 109 356(option 6)