CALLS to change a rule preventing Islanders from receiving a home carer’s allowance alongside an old age pension “can’t be ignored any longer”, according to the chairman of Carers Jersey.
Richard Tremellen-Frost said that the organisation was currently trying to establish how many people were being “caught in this situation”.
He spoke after campaigner Mark Jones renewed calls to repeal the Social Security (Overlapping of Benefits) (Jersey) Order 1975, which prevents the home carer’s allowance from being issued alongside other benefits, such as an old-age pension.
If someone receiving the home carer’s allowance – currently £1,183 paid every four weeks – reaches pension age, the law allows them to choose between continuing to receive that benefit or switching to their old-age pension.
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.
He argued that not being able to access both types of benefit placed “added pressure” on families in need of support.
But Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham has said that the “long-standing” policy helps to ensure “fairness and sustainability in our Social Security system”.
The Minister contended that: “While we understand the concerns raised, we must balance individual needs with the integrity of the system.”
Carers Jersey aims to support carers and provide a forum to represent their issues.
Mr Tremellen-Frost said: “What we are trying to do now is establish facts, as to how many carers, as to how many people are being caught in this situation.”
He also noted that those caring for loved ones were reducing strain on Island’s health system and saving the government “a lot of money”.
“And as there is an ageing population, it can’t be ignored any longer,” he added.
Carers Jersey secretary Kay Tremellen-Frost said that those having to choose between a home carer’s allowance or their old age pension were being placed in “an impossible situation”.
She explained that it was one of the “big issues” on Carers Jersey’s radar and expressed frustration over the lack of change over the years that the issue had been raised.
“Everybody agrees something should be done, but we don’t get anywhere,” she added.
What Islanders said on social media:
Jackie Ollerenshaw: “Old age pension is not a benefit – it’s paid for and well earned. Carers need to be compensated – if they didn’t do the caring then the ‘system’ would have to deal with it a far greater cost – utterly shameful!”
Lauren Flambard: “Honestly unbelievable that this is still the situation. I remember first hearing about this many years ago, and yet nothing has changed. Politicians need to think about this logically and sort it out once and for all.”
Ollie Wellum: “Disgusting!!!! We’re all behind you Mark Jones and others.”
Allie Logan: “Absolutely shocking! Pension is not a benefit, it’s a right, earned by contributing for up to 45 long years. Carer’s allowance is much cheaper than it would cost the States to keep the person needing care in a professional care establishment. They should be payable concurrently.”
Tracey Le Brocq: “An old age pension is not a benefit and therefore should not be treated as one!”
