Income Support - Review of Benefit Levels - Approved Panel Minutes - 28 January 2008

Present

Deputy J. A. Martin – Chairman, Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman, Deputy C. J. Scott Warr en and Connétable S. A. Yates

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Charlie Ahier , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1. Appointment of Vice-Chairman

On behalf of the Sub-Panel the Chairman welcomed new members Deputy Scott Warr en and Connétable Yates.

The Sub-Panel discussed the role of Vice-Chairman and agreed that Deputy Southern should be appointed to the position.

2. Work Programme

The Sub-Panel discussed their role in reviewing the implementation of Income Support. The Chairman informed the Sub-Panel that she saw them maintaining a watching brief, identifying where the new system works well and where it needs to be improved.

The Sub-Panel noted that Connétable Yates had received a copy of the Income Support Special Payment application form. The Sub- Panel agreed to request, from the Social Security Department, the latest versions of all Income Support application forms.

The  Sub-Panel  considered  the  outstanding  issue  of  fettered discretion' whereby a determining officer is authorised to decide whether or not payment should be made direct to a third party solely dependent  on  an  individual's  circumstances.   It  was  agreed  to request additional funding from the HSSH Panel in order to fund the provision of independent legal advice on the issue.

The Sub-Panel noted that they had yet to be notified of any action taken  by  the  relevant  Departments  in  respect  of  replacing  the previous systems of free bus travel and Active Cards for former HIE recipients. It was agreed to seek clarification on progress from the

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relevant Ministers.

The Sub-Panel discussed issues concerning the Household Medical Accounts  (HMA)  and  agreed  to  clarify  with  the  Social  Security Department arrangements at the end of a calendar year to dispose of money residing in an HMA.

The Sub-Panel noted that people had received incorrectly calculated Housing assessments and that a further letter correcting the error was to be sent shortly.

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3. Data Protection

The  Sub-Panel  considered  data  protection  issues  raised  in correspondence from the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC). It was noted that the DPC had recently been receiving an increase in Income  Support  related  enquiries  but  was  unable  to  pursue  a number  of  them  because  they  were  not  directly  linked  to  data protection issues. The DPC had indicated that she would welcome the opportunity to direct individuals with non-data protection Income Support queries to the Sub-Panel. It was further noted that the Data Protection Commissioner had asked to be included in any press release the Sub-Panel distributed detailing contact arrangements for Income Support related queries or complaints.

4. Media Advertisement and Press Statement

The Sub-Panel considered the draft Call for Evidence' and press release. Consideration was given to the timing of publication. The Sub-Panel discussed whether a period of time should be allowed for the new system to bed-in' before the Sub-Panel initiated its Call for Evidence'. It was noted that a number of individuals had contacted Sub-Panel members seeking assistance or clarification. With due reference to the discussion the Sub-Panel agreed to publish the Call for Evidence' immediately.

The Sub-Panel agreed to ascertain the cost of advertising in both the Jersey Evening Post and on Channel 103. It was further agreed that   Deputy   Southern  should  be  delegated  the  responsibility  of amending the drafts before submission for Sub-Panel approval.

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5. Date of next meeting

The Sub-Panel deferred consideration of their next meeting date.