Welfare - Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

WellbeingQ&A4HampersEssentials, not luxuries. At Christmas, around 1,200 RABIbeneficiaries receive hampers containing essential storecupboardingredients that they can fall back on over thefestive period and winter months. We remember ourbeneficiaries on their birthdays by sending them a hamperor flowers.HolidaysEach year, around 40 elderly or disabled beneficiaries, withcarers if required, go on a week-long break at a suitablyequipped hotel. The week costs around £500 per personand for some, it is the first holiday they have ever had.HomesWe own and manage two residential homes, in Suffolkand Somerset respectively.Manson House, SuffolkClose to the town centre in the historic market town of BurySt Edmunds is Manson House, a Grade 2 listed buildingwith 22 ensuite rooms and 19 sheltered flats in the grounds.Beaufort House, SomersetBeaufort House is a former school, set in two acres oflandscaped grounds, a short distance from the sea frontin Burnham-on-Sea and offers 28 ensuite rooms and 17sheltered flats.The care provided in our residential homes is exceptional.Each home organises a regular programme of activities andholds annual events to encourage the residents to lead activelives wherever possible.Respite care is also available, subject to availability of rooms.Q: Will you pass my details toanyone else?A: All approaches to RABI are treatedin the strictest confidence and will notbe shared with third parties. In orderto sort out problems, however, wewill gain the permission of the applicantto contact Department of Work &Pensions, creditors or others ontheir behalf.Q: I have seen real cases publicised.Does this not breach confidentiality?A: We only use stories that peoplewant us to tell, to encourage others inthe same position to seek help.Q: Why doesn’t RABI pay businessbills?A: Under our current rules, we are onlyallowed to help with domestic costs.Q: Why can’t I contact my localRWO direct?A: It is important for our present andfuture planning that we have a centralpoint for monitoring requests for helpand where they come from. Secondly,RWOs work part-time and go outvisiting beneficiaries. This means theyare not always available to answerqueries. Head office staff are fullyinformed and can respond quicklyat any time.Q: My elderly relative needsresidential care, which she is ableto fund herself. Are RABI’s tworesidential homes only availablefor beneficiaries?A. As long as rooms are available,our homes will welcome people ofindependent means.Q: Does RABI award educationalgrants?A: Not at this stage, but we can pointpeople in the right direction, so it is stillworth calling us.Q: I referred a case to you and itwas turned down. Why?A: People we help must conform toour criteria and applications containdetailed information about theapplicant’s financial situation, so thatwe can assess their eligibility. We willnot disclose our findings in order toprotect the individual.Q: I am self-employed. Does thatmean I won’t qualify for statebenefits?A: No. You may be just as entitledas anyone else. Self-employment doesnot preclude you from claiming.Q: My mother was a Land Girl butshe only farmed during the war.Might she qualify for RABI help?A: In cases of hardship and where thereis no other benevolent fund that wouldtake precedence over RABI, we are ableto assist those who served in theWomen’s Land Army.Q: My work brings me into contactwith elderly people. May I hold astock of your application forms?A: We will always issue forms fromour head office direct to the applicantso that we can monitor requests and,depending on the individual’scircumstances, send one of our RWOsto visit. We always, however, welcomereferrals.Q: My late husband was a farmworker but I worked at the localschool. Do I still qualify for help?A: Under certain circumstances, RABIcan help family members, even if theyworked outside farming. We might,with the applicant’s permission, requesta contribution from another charitylinked with that profession if one exists.Q: I used to work in farming buthad to leave the industry. Might Istill be eligible?A: Each case is viewed on its meritsand providing our criteria are met,help may be possible.Q: Will my state benefits bereduced if I receive regular grantsfrom RABI?A: No. Charitable grants are fullydisregarded when calculating benefitsentitlements. State benefits will notbe affected.Q: Won’t a grant from RABIdisappear in overdraft charges?A: In special circumstances we canarrange for an emergency cashpayment (by secure means) to ensurethat the money will reach where itis needed.