Moving around for your work in the Armed Forces can make it hard to keep your children's education on track. This is where CEA comes in – helping your children stay settled in education, even when Service life means your family must move.
Here to help
Sometimes, working out if you’re eligible to claim CEA – or how to claim it – can feel complicated and confusing, as every situation is different. That’s why we've set up a new team in the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) to assist.
From 1 April 2026, the CEA advisory helpdesk will provide a group of experts to help you, your family, or your Unit HR team with any tricky questions about the allowance.
Whether you're trying to understand the rules or need help with a complex case, the team will point you to the right people and make sure you get clear guidance.
The new helpdesk works alongside the Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) service within Defence Children Services (DCS). This remains available to provide professional, independent advice, guidance, and support to Service families on children’s education – covering school admissions, Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA), and boarding school applications (including schools not currently on the Boarding School Database).
How to get in touch
CEA advisory helpdesk
Your first stop should always be your Unit HR team. If extra support is needed for your case, they – or you – can contact the CEA Advisory Team directly at DBSAFVS-MilOps-PACCC-CEAAdvice@mod.gov.uk You can also follow the team on Defence Connect – join: Group: Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC)
When you get in touch, please include your name, number, rank and unit so the team can help you as quickly as possible.
Education Advisory Team, Defence Children Services You can contact the EAT team, within DCS, for guidance and advice at RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk
What’s next
The helpdesk is just getting started and will be tested and developed over the coming months. A GOV.UK page will be on the way by Autumn too – giving easier access to families and those who can’t access the Defence network.
Find out more For further information on CEA and how to claim it visit Chapter 14 of JSP 752 – the main Armed Forces policy guidance for pay and allowances.
What’s next
The helpdesk is just getting started and will be tested and developed over the coming months. A GOV.UK page will be on the way by Autumn too – giving easier access to families and those who can’t access the Defence network.
Find out more For further information on CEA and how to claim it visit Chapter 14 of JSP 752 – the main Armed Forces policy guidance for pay and allowances.