ISLANDERS are being made to choose between a home carer’s allowance and their pension, creating “added pressure” on families in need of support, according to a father who has been a full-time carer for his children alone since his wife died 13 years ago.
Currently, the home carer’s allowance, which currently amounts to £1,183 and is paid every four weeks, cannot be issued alongside other benefits, such as an old-age pension.
If someone receiving the home carer’s allowance reaches pension age, the law allows them to choose between continuing to receive that benefit or switching to their old-age pension.
But campaigner Mark Jones, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021 for services to the Island’s learning-disability community, said that policy is putting unnecessary strain on families and that being able to access both the allowance and a pension would ease some financial difficulties.
Mr Jones, whose wife died 13 years ago from cancer, is a full-time carer for his son, who has Down’s syndrome, and his daughter, who has severe autism.
In 2021 he started a petition calling for the Social Security (Overlapping of Benefits) (Jersey) Order 1975 to be repealed, which garnered around 1,700 signatures.
But the ministerial response at the time argued that the Order “is an important part of the structure of the Social Security scheme” and that the proposed change would “significantly increase the cost of running the scheme”.
Mr Jones is now calling for the Social Security Department to rethink the policy, particularly as, with an ageing population, more Islanders may be required to care for older parents.
Based on a Freedom of Information request from February last year – that stated there were 17 people who had chosen to continue to receive a home carer’s allowance instead of their old age pension – Mr Jones estimated that the additional annual cost of allowing both to be paid at the same time “would be about £220,000”.
He contended this would be “a minuscule amount when you take into account the massive abuse of public funds that has gone on for decades,” adding: “I know personally that having such financial support would ease slightly some of the pressure on our daily lives.”
The 69-year-old – who also won a Pride of Jersey Award in 2015 – stressed that those looking after loved ones did so “because you love them and you want to do it”.
But he explained that “there’s a cost dilemma involved”.
“Not being able to access both types of benefit just puts more added pressure on,” he added.
In a recent social media post, he wrote: “It now affects both ends of the spectrum, people like me looking after my two adult handicapped children and also people becoming carers for their parents.”
In a statement, Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said: “I want to thank Islanders who care for loved ones at home – your contribution is deeply valued and recognised.”
Deputy Feltham continued: “Home Carer’s Allowance (HCA) is for carers of working age who spend 35 hours (or more) per week caring for someone who requires a very high level of personal care.
“HCA and the old age pension are both contributory benefits. Under long-standing rules, only one can be paid at a time. This principle is fundamental to ensuring fairness and sustainability in our Social Security system.”
The minister added: “While we understand the concerns raised, we must balance individual needs with the integrity of the system.
“We remain committed to supporting carers through other means, including income support and the long-term care scheme.”
