THE Social Security Minister has rejected a recommendation to write off benefit overpayments resulting from errors made by the government, claiming that it would be unfair and increase the cost of benefits to the taxpayer.
Last month, the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel identified 45 key findings and made 26 recommendations as part of a review into the overpayment of Income Support benefits.
The 71-page report showed that as many as one in five people on Income Support are being chased to give back overpayments – many resulting from errors made by the government department responsible for handing them out.
It also shed light on the significant mental health toll of the situation, with the impact “so severe in some cases that individuals have considered or attempted to take their own lives”.
However, Social Security Minister Elaine Millar this week confirmed that she was only accepting three of the report’s 26 recommendations.
“We are only acting on the ones that we know can make a positive improvement,” she said. “It’s important that we only commit to actions that we know are deliverable and will maintain the fairness and integrity of the benefits system.”
She added: “To introduce a policy of writing off additional benefit payments would increase the cost of Income Support to the taxpayer and would not be fair on other benefit claimants who have received the correct amount of benefit.
“Without an increase in funding allocation, this proposal could lead to benefit rates being reduced to maintain spending within budget.”
On social media, St Helier Deputy Catherine Curtis described the minister’s response to the review as “disappointing”. She specifically criticised the fact that the recommendations about children’s welfare were not accepted.
Deputy Curtis said: “St Helier Deputies spend lots of time dealing with these problems.
“I have never seen evidence of children’s welfare being considered.”
The Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel are due to meet this week to consider Deputy Millar’s response.
