Benefits

The following gives general information and does not try to give full details about any particular matter.

For more specific information you can contact the Social Security Department by telephoning 445505 or go to the website

Some benefits rely on individual contributions.

Benefits for Carers

Invalid Care Allowance

This is a taxable allowance for carers who spend 35 hours or more a week looking after someone who needs a high level of care.

The carer must aged between over 16 and under 65 years old.

You must meet certain criteria to be able to claim Invalid Care Allowance.

You can get the forms from the Health Zone in the Social Security Department or the main reception desk at Social Security. You can also ask for the forms to be sent to you.

You can go to gov.je to find out more about this benefit. Click on Caring and Support and then go to Benefits.

Carers Component of Income Support

This is a different benefit to Invalid Carers Allowance.

You need to be the main carer of a person with a serious medical condition or disability to be able to apply for this benefit.

You click here to fnd out more about this benefit.

Benefits for Medical Conditions

Gluten Free Food Subsidy 

If you need to buy gluten free food because of a medical condition, you may be able to apply for a subsidy.

You need the support of your doctor to be able to apply for this. Click on the link below for more information and to download an application form. Your doctor will need to fill in parts of the form. Click here to find out more

 

Exercise Referal Scheme

What is Exercise Referral?

It is a 10 week programme that gives you the chance to try some regular exercise to help improve your health and well-being. 

You'll have a fitness assessment first and then given a tailored exercise programme which suits your level of fitness.

The scheme is aimed at people aged over 16 who are not used to physical activity and who have certain medical conditions.

How do I get a place on the scheme?

Referrals to the scheme must be made by your doctor or a health care professional. They will send  your details to the Exercise Referal Scheme and you would then contact us to arrange your fitness assessment.  There is a small cost, but some people on certain benefits may be exempt.

If you want to find out more click on this link

 

Health Scheme 

General Information

If you are living in Jersey and were either born here or have been here for a total of 6 months or more, then you are entitled to certain health benefits. These benefits include free prescriptions and reduced doctors' fees.

If you qualify for the health scheme you can get a Health Benefits Card from Social Security. You must show this card when you visit a doctor or take a prescription to a chemist.

Each doctor sets their own fees for the services they charge. Showing your Health Benefits Card will get you a discount of £15 from the fees charged by the doctor.

If you have a health card, most prescriptions are free, although there are some exceptions. All you need to do is show your Health Card at any pharmacy.

You can find out more information about the Health Scheme and prescription items that are free by clicking here.

 

Incapacity Benefit

Short Term Incapacity Allowance  (STIA)

This is a benefit which may be paid to you if you are not able to work because of illness or injury. You can't work at all, even on a voluntary basis, if you are claiming this benefit. If you want to find out more about this benefit, click on this link.

 

 Long Term Incapacity Allowance (LTIA)

This is paid if you are unable to work because of a long term illness, injury or other disability. You can do voluntary work or some paid work if you are on this benefit.

You will be assessed to see how much LTIA you are entitiled to.

The amount of LTIA that you get will depend on the percentage the medical board doctor gives you.

The full rate is equal to 100%. So if you were awarded 50% for example, you would receive half (50%) of that full rate.

To find out more about LTIA click here.

 

Income Support

Income Support provides financial support towards the costs of living, housing, medical needs and childcare. Carers can also receive support.

The amount of Income Support that you will be entitled to depends on a number of things including your income and savings, your age, who you live with, and any medical condition affecting your household (IS) unit.

There are certain conditions that will determine whether or not you can claim Income Support.

You can find more about Income Support by clicking here

  

Job Seeking - help while you are looking for work

You may be able to get help while you are looking for work. There is a part of Income Support that people may be able to claim while they are looking for work. If you want to find out more information, go to the 'What is a jobseeker' section of this link 

  

Maternity Benefits

Maternity Allowance

Maternity Allowance can be paid for up to 18 weeks, but only when you are not working. The earliest you can start receiving Maternity Allowance is 11 weeks before your baby is due.

Maternity Allowance is a weekly paid benefit that is to help you while you take time off work to have your baby. The amount you receive will depend on the social security contributions you have paid. If you do not have a complete record you may be entitled to a reduced rate. It cannot be paid on the Father's contributions.  The full rate for Maternity Allowance is currently £179.97 a week. You can usually get this for a total of 18 weeks, but this may be extended if your baby is born late.

You cannot claim Maternity Allowance and work at the same time, so it can only be paid once you have stopped work. The allowance gives you 6 weeks payment before the baby is born, 1 week payment when the baby is born and 11 weeks payment after the baby is born.

Social Security will look at the date that your baby is due and then look back at your contribution record roughly between 12-15 months.

Your doctor or midwife will give you the form you need to claim Maternity Allowancet. The claim form is called 'Maternity benefit - allowance and grant claim form'. The same form is used to claim the Maternity Grant. 

You can find out more about this by clicking here

 Maternity Grant

The Maternity Grant is a single (tax free) payment. It is paid to you to help with the general cost of having a baby.

The grant is currently £539.91.

Social Securtiy will look at how much social security contributions you have paid to see if you are entitled to the Maternity Grant. If you are a married woman they can also look at and use your husband's record if yours is not enough.

You (or your husband) must have paid contributions for at least 3 months at any time before a set date.

Click here to find out more about the maternity grant

 

Special payments - help with emergency costs 

Special payments are one-off payments to help cover the costs of emergencies. These special payments can be used to pay for a service (such as a dentist's bill) or an item (such as a replacement cooker).

Most special payments are made to people on Income Support.

 However, they are sometimes available if you are not entitled to Income Support, but: you have been living in Jersey for the last 4 ½ years and are on a low income or you have been living in Jersey for at least 5 years and your household income is within the 10% limit for entitlement to Income Support

You can have a small amount of savings and still claim a special payment.

Special Payments can cover a number of different things including furniture and household equipment, rental deposits and removal costs. 

To be considered for a special payment, you must be in urgent need of the item or service requested and you must have no other way of meeting the cost.

The gov.je website has more information

.