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WQ.162/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY L.V. FELTHAM OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON TUESDAY 11th APRIL 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 18th APRIL 2023
Question
Will the Minister provide a copy of the Terms of Reference for the high-level review of existing benefit areas as outlined in Action MSS P5.1 of the Ministerial Delivery Plans; will she further provide any update on this review, and if not, why not?
Answer
Further to answers previously provided on this subject - WQ.75/2023, OQ.30/2023, QWON.21/3/23 and WQ.152/2023 – I can confirm that the high-level review was an internal review. Formal terms of reference were not required and were not prepared. The review has now been completed.
As noted in WQ 152/2023:
“As a consequence of the review, we have identified the need for further detailed work in respect of:
• The impact of relevant quarter rules on local residents with short gaps in contribution record.
• The impact of relevant quarter rules on parents seeking to claim parental benefit for a second child.
• Provision of death grant for still born babies.
• Home carers allowance rules for parent with more than one child with a long-term health condition.
• Income Support rules in respect of critical skills courses and part time work requirements; asset limits across all benefits.
• The level of special payments for funeral costs.
Further areas for detailed review may be added.” Further areas have now been confirmed as:
• Means tested pensioner benefits – asset and income tests; overall application process.
• Gluten free vouchers – future eligibility criteria.
• Jersey Dental Fitness Scheme – value of benefit.
• Overall cost of proposed changes.
The review does not include areas that are already the subject of separate work, such as the Long-Term Care Scheme and our incapacity benefits.