Invalid Care Allowance
Part One - What is Invalid Care Allowance?
Invalid Care Allowance is for people of working age who cannot work because they stay at home to care for a person who has a severe disability and requires a very high level of personal care. It also protects carers’ contribution records so that they do not lose their own right to Social Security benefits.
This allowance is taxable - you must tell the Income Tax Department the amount of Invalid Care Allowance you receive each year. It is a non-contributory benefit, which means that you do not need to have paid contributions to get the allowance.
Part Two - Who can qualify?
You can qualify for Invalid Care Allowance if you:
- spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who has a severe disability and requires a very high level of personal care; and
- have lived in the Island for a period of 26 weeks during the twelve months before you claim; and
- are aged over 16 and under pension age (65).
Part Three - People Who Do Not Qualify
You cannot receive payment if:
- you are receiving Incapacity Benefit, Maternity Allowance or Old Age Pension from us, the United Kingdom or any other Social Security Department
- you (and your spouse) have a joint income which is more then the current maximum income level shown in the leaflet entitled Contribution Levels and Benefit Rates
- you are, or intend to be, employed doing paid work from which you receive more than 75% of the ‘lower threshold level’. This is also shown in the leaflet entitled Contribution Levels and Benefit Rates
- the person with the disability no longer requires a very high level of personal care
- you are attending a full-time course of education
- you stop looking after the person or you no longer normally spend at least 35 hours a week in caring for that person
- either you, or the person for whom you are caring, go into hospital or any other accommodation provided wholly or mainly at public expense. If it is only for a day or so and you can still spend at least 35 hours per week caring for that person - this rule does not apply.
Note: You may still be able to claim the allowance for certain approved limited periods when you, or the person with the disability, go into hospital or you need to take a short holiday, provided that you will be able to care for that person at least 42 weeks in that year.
Part Four - How to claim
An adult should complete the Invalid Care Allowance claim form which is available from the Health Zone at the Department. Please return the form with your Birth Certificate.
Make your claim as soon as you think you meet the conditions. Do not delay sending in the claim even if you cannot send your birth certificate. The allowance cannot normally be paid for any period before the date on which the claim form is either posted to or handed in to the Department.
We will write to you, telling you about the decision on your claim. We will tell you what to do if you are not happy with the decision.
Payment
Invalid Care Allowance is paid monthly in advance.
It is paid directly into your bank account.
Please contact the Department if you have any queries
Part Five - Social Security Contributions
If you are liable to pay Social Security contributions, you will automatically have a contribution added to your insurance record for each month you are paid Invalid Care Allowance. These contributions will count towards other benefits, such as Incapacity Benefit and Old Age Pension.
Part Six - Changes in circumstances
Once the allowance is in payment you must tell us immediately of any changes which may affect the payment - see the sections on people who qualify and people who do not qualify. Also you must advise us if:
- you, or the person with the disability, change address; or
- you, or the person with the disability, leave the Island; or
- your income increases.
Please remember that you must tell us about all your earnings.
Part Seven - Income Support
Income Support is an income-related benfit that provides financial support towards the costs of housing, living, medical needs and childcare. Carers also receive support.
Income Support is available to individuals and families that satisfy conditions relating to residency in Jersey and employment.
The amount of Income Support payable depends on income, savings and assets and on personal circumstances.
If you think you may qualify for Income Support you should contact the Social Security Department.
Part Eight - Further Information
Do you employ someone to help care for you?
If you employ someone for 8 hours or more per week to help you, then you are required to carry out the usual tasks that are required of any employer.
- You need to register with us as an employer
- You must hold your employees Social Security card
- You must give your employee a contract
- You must pay your employee at least the current hourly minimum wage rate
A member of the Compliance team may ask you to provide evidence of any, or all of the above.
If you require any further information please contact the Contributions Zone on 445505.
For information on contracts please contact Jersey Advisory and Concilliation Service on telephone number 730503, or write to:
Trinity House
Bath Street
St Helier
JE2 4ST
Email: JACS@JACS.ORG.JE
This leaflet gives general information and does not try to give full details on any particular matter. It cannot be treated as a statement of the Law.
Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions about the information contained in this leaflet.
Our staff are here to help you, please telephone us on 445505 or call into our office.
The Social Security Department is covered by the current Jersey Data Protection (Jersey) Law.
Please note: calls to the Department may be monitored for training purposes.
Other leaflets that may be of interest
Large print versions of most of our leaflets are available. Please call us on + 44 (0) 1534 445505 and we will be happy to send them to you.
