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Record-breaking clawbacks in financial benefits and grants for retired seafarers
4 February 2025
Nautilus caseworkers have continued their record-breaking work ensuring mariners are getting the financial benefits and grants to which they are are entitled – helping generate over £1.2m for 753 retired seafarers in 2024.
The free service, run by the Nautilus Welfare Fund charity, has six caseworkers based in port areas of the UK: Merseyside; Hull and Grimsby; Southampton and Portsmouth; Glasgow; Cardiff and South Wales; and Tyne and Wear.
In 2024, some of the caseworkers managed to secure sums of between £63k and nearly £87k in financial benefits in the first three quarters of the year alone. In some cases, this could mean an annual household income rise for some individuals of nearly £11k.
The service has continued to build on previous successes in 2023, when the caseworkers supported a record 768 retired and needy seafarers and their dependants, and helped claw back over £1.2m in financial benefits and grants. The figures for benefits and grants secured have steadily risen since 2022, when caseworkers helped acquire £1.14m for 741 mariners .
Caseworkers can visit mariners in their own homes to help them secure grants for housing access, care and financial assessments, and many other services; as well as helping with benefits. Grant funding secured in 2024 ranged from less than £1k to over £13k. The service is also available to retired Merchant Navy seafarers living at Nautilus Mariners' Park.
In May 2024, funding for the Nautilus caseworker service was secured thanks to a new grant from The Seafarers' Charity of over £300k.
Typical interventions
A couple of cases dealt with by the caseworkers illustrate the complex interventions and liaisons necessary across various services and authorities which are often needed to help seafarers access housing and care services, and benefits.
Case study one
A retired seafarer with over 25 years in the Merchant Navy and his wife, both with significant health problems, were initially referred to the Nautilus Caseworker Service for help in securing disability parking permits. After a visit and an assessment, the caseworker assigned also managed to assist the couple with claims for other disability benefits. Applications for Attendance Allowance were also successful and their new classification as disabled people meant they were also entitled to Pension Credit Guarantee. As a result of these interventions their household income increased by nearly £11k per annum.
The couple also reported improved health as a result of help with writing to their GP for a review of their treatment, as well as better financial security and more independence.
They said that they would definitely recommend the services of the NWF to other potential service users.
Image: Jakub Pabis/Pexels
Case study two
In this case, a dependant – a widow of a seafarer − was referred to the Caseworker Service for pension and tax help by a previous service user after struggling to complete the relevant forms. As the widow's husband served at sea for many years, she was eligible to receive caseworker assistance.
After a home visit to assess her circumstances, the caseworker helped her to claim housing and council tax benefits she did not know she was eligible for after her significant savings had been exhausted.
As a result, the widow was awarded over £6k a year in housing and council tax benefits; now she is on a more secure financial footing and as a result feels more positive about her life. She said she would not have been able to resolve her situation without the assistance the Nautilus Welfare Fund Caseworker Service provided.
Image: Nataliya-Vaitkevich/Pexels
Nautilus Caseworker Service
Are you an ex seafarer?
Do you need help with welfare benefits or grants you may be entitled to?
Have you got housing or debt concerns?
The Nautius Welfare Fund Caseworker service is here to help you. The charity supports retired mariners and their dependants, including former Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel and Merchant Navy Veterans.
Planning your nautical retirement?
Mariners' Park supports retired and needy seafarers and their dependants who are aged over 55. The park offers a full range of independent living properties; a bespoke supportive living accommodation building for those with care needs; and a 36-bed care home that provides 24/7 care, nursing, dementia and palliative support.
Accommodation is available now for those maritime professionals that have served in the Merchant Navy across all sectors, including maritime pilots and crew on large yachts, as well as those who have served in the Royal Navy or on deep sea fishing trawlers.
Arrange a visit to Mariners' Park in Wallasey, UK, to talk about the retirement options or register to have your name added to the accommodation list, by emailing welfare@nautilusint.org or calling +44(0)151 346 8840. There is more information at www.nautiluswelfarefund.org
About the Nautilus Welfare Fund
The Nautilus Welfare Fund is Nautilus International's registered charity. It provides support services in the UK for retired seafarers and their dependants and is based at the Mariners' Park Estate in Wallasey, near Liverpool.
The Fund is not just for Union members: all UK retired seafarers who can demonstrate a significant maritime career are eligible to apply for accommodation and grants.
The Fund provides:
- retirement accommodation at Mariners' Park for people living independently or requiring residential or nursing care
- care at home
- one-off grants
- caseworkers – a free and confidential service that helps seafarers claim welfare benefits and access grants
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