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1240/5/1(310)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6TH JUNE 2017
Question
Will the Minister state what measures, if any, she has under consideration to provide additional support to those recipients of Income Support who cannot find employment, in light of the cessation of the disregard for Long Term Incapacity Allowance benefits and the erosion of the value of Income Support produced by the rise in R.P.I. of 16.4% since 2009?
Answer
P.45/2017, published last week, gives details of proposed increases in all Income Support components. Subject to States approval these will rise by 2.9% in October, in line with the current headline RPI figure. These increases will be applied to every Income Support component including: adult, child, household, personal care, mobility and clinical cost. In addition rental components in the private sector will increase by 2.9% with social sector rental components rising automatically in line with social rental values. At the same time, all income incentives within Income Support will be increased from 23% to 25%. These measures create a comprehensive package that will be of benefit to every Income Support household.
Increased support has been provided to LTIA claimants on Income Support over the last two years as the Back to Work teams have extended the range of services available and tailored support for those with long term health conditions is now available. This extra support is helping to reduce the number of claimants who are unable to find employment. Overall, the number of Income Support households that are wholly dependent on Income Support payments has decreased steadily over the last five years.
The Disability Strategy published last week sets out a wide range of measures and is supported by businesses and third sector organisations as well as government departments, all of whom are committed to working together to improve job opportunities for people with a disability or long term health condition.
As Members will be aware, the Department will commence work on extending the Discrimination law to cover disability later this year, with the intention of introducing regulations in 2018.