CHANGES which would allow a full home carers’ allowance and a pension to be claimed at the same time could be made in 2028, if States Members agree.
Last year, the JEP launched its #TimeToCare campaign after Islander Mark Jones spoke out against the overlapping benefits law.
Mr Jones has been caring full-time for his son Ryan, who has Down’s syndrome, and his daughter Megan, who has severe autism, since his wife died 14 years ago.
The 1975 Order prevents the Islanders from receiving his old-age pension at the same time as a home carer’s allowance.
Last week, Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said she would work with carers and the organisations supporting them to bolster the support available but would not be proposed a change to the law which would allow the claiming of multiple benefits
Now, following the JEP campaign, Deputy Max Andrews has lodged a proposition which calls for a review of the number of people who would be eligible to receive both and whether the Social Security Reserve Fund could be used “sustainably” to cover the cost of allowing both to be claimed simultaneously.
The St Helier Deputy said that if the Social Security Reserve Fund is “assessed as sustainable” then the funding to allow both a home carer’s allowance and pension to be claimed at the same time should be included in the 2028-31 Budget proposals.
In his proposition, Deputy Andrews said: “I was disappointed to read the Social Security Minister state it would be too expensive for pensioners to receive both a state pension and the home carer’s allowance.
“In reaching this decision, the minister admits there is an absence of data on pensioners who are carers. Had the minister undertaken work to review the number of old age pensioners who provide home care then the minister would have more accurate information on the prospective cost.
“The minister has not mentioned whether consideration has been given to using the Social Security (Reserve) Fund and its investment income to supplement the Social Security Fund. With the reserve fund forecast to generate an investment income between £142 million and £162 million across 2026 to 2029, this shows the reserve fund is performing well.”
Deputy Andrews added that forecast growth in the Reserve Fund could “potentially be used to supplement funding additional home carer’s allowance claimants”.
Among the commitments made by Deputy Feltham following the #TimeToCare campaign were changes to the Long-Term Care Scheme established in 2014, which provides financial support to someone over 18 who has lifelong care needs. Those changes include enabling Long-Term Care payments to be made to individuals or families directly.
Other changes include the introduction of a dedicated care support advisor within the Employment, Social Security and Housing Department from 23 February, to provide carers with individual advice and direct them to relevant services.
Deputy Andrews’s proposition is due to be debated during the States sitting beginning on Tuesday 10 March.
