Benefits in Jersey

Introduction
Income Support
Incapacity Benefit

Introduction

If you are a person living with HIV and you are considering moving to Jersey it is important to be aware that many benefits in Jersey are only available to individuals and families that satisfy conditions relating to residency in Jersey.

You should also know that Jersey has Social Security agreements with several countries. If you have recently arrived from any of these countries the payments you made there may be counted towards the contribution conditions for benefit in Jersey.

You may find the following advice sheet prepared by the National AIDS Trust helpful.

Income Support

Income Support is an income-related benefit that provides financial support towards the costs of housing, living, medical needs and childcare.  Carers also receive support. Income Support is only available to individuals and families that satisfy conditions relating to residency in Jersey and employment.  The amount of Income Support payable depends on income, savings and assets, and on personal circumstances.

Income Support is designed to support people living together in family groups. An Income Support Unit (IS Unit) can consist of:

  • One person
  • A couple (married or unmarried); or
  • A family living together at the same address with children under school leaving age or still in education. Children with disabilities who remain in education above school leaving age are treated as separate IS Units.  In many cases, relatives living at the same address will have separate Income Support claims.

Separate IS Units would be set up for:

  • Two adult brothers living together
  • An elderly relative living with her daughter and family
  • An adult son living with his parents and other similar households.

To apply for Income Support:

  • One adult in the IS unit must satisfy the residence condition; and
  • All adults in the IS unit must satisfy the work condition (or be exempt)

One adult in the IS unit must have lived in Jersey continuously for at least five years immediately before making the claim or for a consecutive period of ten years at any time in the past.  Someone who lives in Jersey for five years and then moves away will need to be back in the Island for the same length of time that they were away before they can apply for Income Support.

For example, if you live in Jersey for five years, then leave the Island and spend two years living in France, on your return to Jersey you need to be resident for two years before you can claim Income Support.

  • People who are:
  • Aged 65 or over; or
  • Looking after a child under the age of five are completely exempt from the work condition.

People who are:

  • Looking after a child aged five or over; or
  • Unable to work full-time due to a medical condition; or
  • On an approved education or training course; or
  • Caring for someone with a serious medical condition; or
  • Actively seeking work

are exempt from full-time work, but may be expected to work part-time hours depending on their individual circumstances.

Regular weekly payments are available, as well as single one-off payments to meet larger costs. Income Support is available from the Social Security Department and from various Parish Halls.

Further information about Income Support in Jersey is available at:
http://www.gov.je/Benefits/IncomeSupport/Pages/index.aspx

Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit consists of three separate benefits:-

  1. Short Term Incapacity Allowance
  2. Long Term Incapacity Allowance
  3. Incapacity Pension

These benefits may be payable when a person is incapable of work due to illness or injury or where there is a loss of faculty as a result of illness or injury.

Please note: Medical evidence is required to support each claim and certain contribution conditions must be satisfied for benefit to be paid.

It is important to remember that the benefit a person receives is related to the contributions they pay. The rate of certain benefits (for example Old Age Pension) depends on the contributions paid or credited each year over the whole insured life. For example, if a man stops contributing, he may find that he and his wife (if she depends on his contributions) only get a reduced pension or possibly no pension at all. Other benefits (e.g. Short Term Incapacity) depend on recent contributions paid or credited. If no contributions have been paid or credited, no benefit can be paid.

If you have not yet been insured in Jersey and you do not work for an employer then you do not have to pay contributions straight away. Once you have been in the Island for a continuous period of six months, you will have to start contributing.

People who have already been insured in Jersey become liable for contributions as soon as they return.

Reciprocal Agreements exist between many countries and Jersey so if you have not paid sufficient contributions in Jersey to qualify for Short Term Incapacity Allowance it may be possible to use the contributions you paid to another country to satisfy the contribution conditions for the allowance to be paid.

Further information about Incapacity Benefit in Jersey is available on the http://www.gov.je/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

 

Last updated April 2010

Benefits in Jersey