Medical costs and Long Term Incapacity Benefit

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY COMMITTEE BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 24th MAY 2005

Question

Would the President inform members –

1. whether the Committee will research the medical costs of recipients Long Term Incapacity Allowances (LTIA)and,ifnecessary review the proposed IncomeSupportScheme to ensure that the needforthese medical costs is met,notwithstandingthereferenceto the Centre for Research into SocialPolicy(CRSP) work referred to inthePresident'sreplytomy questions asked on 10th May2005?
2. whether any penalty is suffered byJerseymen and womenwho have served in H.M. ArmedServicesshould they need to apply for a Long-term Incapacity Pensionon their return to Jersey, and, if so, whetherthe Committee will review Social Security legislation, and in what timescale, to remove any such defect if so applicable?

Answer

1. No. In my answer on 10th May 2005, I made the point that the variation between individuals and the virtually infinite combinations of illness, impairment and levels of incapacity would make such research of little value. I would also refer the Deputy to the health proposals outlined in page 23 of the Income Support System report (P.86/2005). He will see that the Health Insurance system is to be reviewed in conjunction with the Income Support system so that additional support towards the cost of visiting the doctor and obtaining prescription medicines, can be better targeted to individuals, especially those with chronic conditions that warrant more than average care by a general practitioner. However, if the Deputy has a specific individual or theoretical example for the Committee to consider, we would be grateful to receive details so that it can be factored into next stage of development. The Deputy is also reminded that a full review of the new Incapacity System is to be conducted at the end of the first year.
2. I am not aware of any penalty. I have also referred this question to H.M. Forces Support and Welfare Officer (Channel Islands) who is also unaware of any penalty. H.M. Forces are covered by U.K. Social Security and Ministry of Defence legislation as well as the reciprocal agreements that exist on matters relating to social security and tax between Jersey and the U.K. The underlying principle is that a person, having paid contributions to the relevant country, has the same rights to benefit as a resident paying contributions in that country. If the Deputy is aware of any anomaly, can I suggest he contact Mr. Owen Wiscombe, the H.M. Forces Support and Welfare Officer (Channel Islands), who would be able to take up the matter.