other means for the claimant to meet that need. Special payments can help with the cost of large dental bills, funerals and basic household repairs as well as more minor items such as helping an individual purchase tools or a uniform to start a new job. It is envisaged that most special payments will be made to families already receiving an income support weekly benefit; but there is some flexibility within the scheme to provide payments to families falling just outside the income support scheme.


Innovative ways of gauging levels of impairment One of the major innovations included in the


l Following a conversation in a quiet room (hearing).


The department compares the self-report provided by the claimant with a short clinical report from the claimant's own doctor and uses defined criteria to judge the level of benefit required. This system is much more transparent than the previous one and is fully open to appeal to an independent tribunal.


Committed staff and committing money The preparations and launch of income support involved staff throughout the department. Thousands of forms were


To create a fairer benefit system, some


individuals will see their benefits rise with the introduction of income support, while others will see a reduction. These individuals - predominantly in


higher-income households - will receive protected benefit payments, which will be phased out over a three- to five-year period. The protected benefit payments, totalling £22.5 million, are being funded separately through the States Treasury and Resources Department. The main income support law was


debated and approved by the States Assembly in October 2006. The simplicity of the law then gave way to a detailed set of regulations and orders to ensure that the single benefit would be able to cope with very many variations in personal and household circumstance. These detailed


regulations can be easily amended to changing needs and should ensure that the income support legislation can remain in place for many years to come, providing the framework for a more sensible, understandable and accessible benefits system.


Step change in the benefits system In proposing fundamental changes to its benefit system,


A satellite view of the island.


income support system is a new method of assessing individual needs associated with impairment. Assessment of disability under the current system has been subject to some criticism for inconsistency of decision- making and lack of transparency. The income support scheme acknowledges three areas of additional cost associated with physical, sensory and mental impairments. Under income support, the claimant


completes a self-reporting form identifying their ability to undertake everyday tasks in 18 separate areas. These include:


l Turning on a tap (manual dexterity), lWalking up a short flight of stairs


(walking), l Being aware of common dangers (cognition) and


processed with claimants then receiving award letters. Specialist staff were trained to deal


with customer queries and dedicated email and phone lines were set up ahead of the launch. Within the Social Security Department, staff who previously dealt with specialized family benefits and disability benefits were brought together as part of the new income support team. Staff also transferred from the Housing


Department as income support replaced the previous rental subsidy schemes. Staff from the largest parish, St Helier, also joined the department in January. Funding for the income support benefit


has been found entirely from within existing budgets. The total budget for 2008 is of the order of £65 million.


Jersey set itself a major challenge. The goal was a


major step change in the administration and delivery of benefits, with a greater focus on helping those in real need. Income support went live on 28 January


this year and represented the culmination of a project that began almost 10 years earlier. The new system should make a real difference to people's lives. It meets the complete needs of an


individual or family at any stage of their lives, with people now receiving a single payment from one department instead of having to go to various agencies to seek assistance. All benefit systems evolve over time and


the Social Security Department will be reviewing the scheme in the light of experience, and listening to any comments or concerns as income support becomes more established.


The Parliamentarian 2008/Issue One - Jersey 25


Reforming Social Benefits


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