LONG-TERM benefits for people with chronic illnesses will see a “complete overhaul” by 2027, the Government has confirmed to the JEP.
The process to overhaul these benefits is set to start at the end of the month in the States Assembly, as chronic illnesses become better-known and the covid-19 pandemic left some Islanders suffering with the impact of long covid.
It after a Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal case raised questions over whether the current guidelines – which haven’t changed in at least a decade – do enough to help people who suffer from chronic illnesses with many different symptoms like long covid or chronic fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis.
The case saw a man assessed as being 20% incapacitated from work because he suffered from long covid. He was able to work one or two hours at a time and was limited to light activities, the tribunal heard. By comparison, someone who lost a thumb would be assessed as 30% incapacitated.
The tribunal decided the 20% assessment was right – but added that there were open questions about the guidelines and whether they would be reviewed to account for “the multiplicity of symptoms that can present in cases of post-viral syndrome”.
As a result, the man continued to get 20% of the long-term incapacity award, or LTIA, which added worked out as £59.15 per week.
Panel chair Advocate Simon Thomas wrote: “The real issue in this appeal, it seems to us, concerns the CFS/ME guideline and whether it is fit for purpose when dealing with cases of post-viral syndrome such as long covid, which is relatively unknown and presents with a multiplicity of symptoms.”
Following questions from the JEP about the tribunal’s decision, the Department of Employment, Social Security and Housing said that they were “satisfied” that the current guidelines allow sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome and similar conditions to get a “good and fair award”.
But, they added, Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham is planning to bring regulations to the States Assembly at the end of the month which they described as “the first stage in a complete overhaul of the benefits that support those with a long-term health condition”. This would include chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, along with other conditions.
This initial stage is due to be followed by “detailed work” on the guidelines next year and a goal of having the new system in place in 2027.
