Number of households in receipt of social security

1240/5(7434)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY SENATOR S.C. FERGUSON

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2013

Question

Would the Minister provide details of –

1. the total number of households in receipt of Income Support and total individuals (adult and child) supported including claimant/householder;
2. the number of over 65 year olds in receipt of Income Support but not in receipt of a Jersey pension;
3. the number of those in long term care establishments being funded by social security aged –

1. under 65
2. over 65 in receipt of Jersey pension
3. over 65 not in receipt of Jersey pension

4. the number of persons in receipt of Income Support but not included in unemployed figures attending Highlands, Back to Work and other States initiatives by age band, nationality and length of residence (age bands are 16-18, 19-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-65)

Answer

The data provided in this answer is based on a preliminary analysis of the 2012 Income Support information. Official statistics for 2012 will be published during 2013 and may differ from the results set out below.

As at 31st December 2012 there were 6,724 households, which comprised a total of 11,988 adults and children, in receipt of Income Support. This figure excludes individuals in long-term care.

Of the 11,988 individuals included in the Income Support claims;

• 9,974 individuals (adults and children) were under 65
• 1,962 individuals were over 65 and in receipt of a Jersey Social Security pension
• 52 individuals were over 65 and not in receipt of a Jersey Social Security pension.

As at 31st December 2012 there were an additional 572 individuals in long-term care establishments supported with funding from the Social Security Department, i.e. in receipt of Income Support Residential Care benefit. This figure includes 10 individuals receiving long- term care packages in their own home.

Of the 572 individuals receiving Income Support Residential Care;

• 129 individuals were under 65
• 399 individuals were over 65 and in receipt of a Jersey Social Security pension
• 44 individuals were over 65 and not in receipt of a Jersey Social Security pension
• Of the 44, 23 were in receipt of a Social Security pension from a different jurisdiction.

It  should  be  noted  that  some  individuals  receiving  long-term  care  will  have  needed  care throughout their entire adult life and will never have had the opportunity to make Social Security contributions. These individuals will not receive a Jersey Social Security pension.

The figures published each month by the Statistics Unit in respect of Registered Unemployment includes all individuals who are receiving Income Support and are included in a Back to Work scheme or associated States initiative. There are therefore no persons who are in receipt of Income Support and on a Back to Work scheme, or similar States initiative, who are not included in the total of registered unemployment.

Students over compulsory school leaving age who attend Highlands or local sixth forms are normally  exempt  from  actively  seeking  work  conditions  and  they  are  not  included  in  the registered unemployment figures.

The table below shows the number of individuals who are recorded as being exempt from actively seeking work conditions because they are in fulltime education, are over compulsory school leaving age and are part of an Income Support household. This includes students from Highlands as well as other schools and colleges. Individual claimant records would need to be checked manually to identify the name of the educational establishment attended.

This table does not include the total number of individuals receiving Income Support who are in full-time education. If an individual is exempt from working conditionality for a different reason (e.g. they are aged over 65 or have a serious long-term health condition), they will not appear in the table. The table also excludes a small number of job seekers who are currently attending courses at Highlands. These individuals are included in the Registered Unemployment figures.

* All other nationalities

** Only includes 16 year olds who are above compulsory school leaving age