Leaving School
Download the leaflet by clicking on the link below
Leaving School
Part One - What is Social Security?
Most countries have some kind of Social Security system. By paying money into a central fund, people can make sure they will get help if they need it. Social Security is an insurance scheme. You pay contributions so that you can get benefit when you are sick, have an accident, etc.
In Jersey, the Social Security Scheme is paid for by Social Security contributions topped up by taxes. Most people have to pay Social Security contributions.
Part Two - What are the benefits?
There are different kinds of benefit, for example, benefits paid when you are not able to work because you are ill, have had an accident, on widowhood or at pension age. There are also family related benefits and a Death Grant which is usually paid on the death of a person who has contributed to the Social Security scheme. These are called “contributory” benefits. That means you must have paid Social Security contributions to get them.
There are other benefits that do not rely on contributions. These are called “non contributory” benefits. They include allowances for adults and children who have a disability, a disability transport allowance and an allowance paid to carers who look after a person getting Attendance Allowance.
Contributions paid to the Jersey Health Scheme also reduce doctor’s fees and prescription charges.
Part Three - Your Health Benefits Card?
If you have left full time education you should call in to the Department to claim/receive your own Health Benefits card. Sign the back of the card as soon as you get it. You must show this card when going to the doctor and when you take a prescription to the chemist. This card tells the doctor and chemist that you do not have to pay the full price for your visit and for medicines on the prescribed list.
Part Four - Your Social Security Registration Card
When you find a job you have to register with the Social Security Department. You will be given a registration card which will have your name and personal Social Security number on it.
You must give this card to your employer immediately. They cannot pay you wages until they have it. Please keep a note of the number in a safe place. You will need it when you contact the department.
You should get a registration card if you are 16 or over and work for 8 hours or more in any week.
Part Five - What contributions do I pay?
Your contributions record begins when you start work or when you reach 18 years of age.
If you are employed, your employer will deduct a percentage of what you have earned. This money is to cover you for Social Security and health benefits. The more you earn the more you pay - up to a monthly earnings’ ceiling. Your employer also has to pay contributions on your behalf. The joint employee and employer payment is called a Class 1 contribution.
Full details can be found in the leaflet entitled Contribution Tables
If you are self-employed or non-employed you pay Class 2 contributions. You should ask in the Department about your personal liability.
If you are unemployed you should come and talk to us. If you are over 18 we will help you to find work. We will also tell you about your liability whilst you are not working.
Part Six - Credited Contributions
Sometimes when you are not working you can be credited with contributions instead of having to pay them.
Sickness or Accident - if you are considered medically unfit, you may be able to get benefit credits.
Unemployment - depending on the circumstances surrounding your loss of employment and the amount of time you were working you may be entitled to unemployment credits. To register as unemployed please call in to the Work Zone.
Studentship - you may qualify for student credits if you are a Jersey resident who is 18 or over and in full time education. To find out more please contact the Contributions Zone or pick up the leaflet entitled Students over 18
Home Responsibility - if you are staying at home to look after your child who is under the age of 5 you may qualify for Home Responsibility credits. These credits protect your pension entitlement. They do not give entitlement to incapacity or maternity benefits. For more information please contact the Family or Contributions Zones in the Department.
Part Seven - I've left school but have not got a job, what should I do?
If you are under 18 contact the Careers Service at the Education Department at Highlands College, St Saviour, Telephone 608608.
If you are 18 years of age or over you should register as unemployed with the Social Security Department until you get a job.
www.jobsinjersey.gov.je
The Department has a website which provides a job vacancy system to enhance employment opportunities in Jersey. Whether you have just left school and are looking for your first job or thinking of a change of direction, www.jobsinjersey.gov.je will help you take control of your career.
You do not have to register with your name and contact details but if you choose to do so, the site offers you even more employment opportunities.
These include the ability to:
- Save your search criteria which will save time on future visits
- Ask to be notified by email when new jobs are added to the site, which match your search criteria
- Apply for jobs using the online application form, which is sent direct to the employer.
Part Eight - What happens when I am over 18 and stop work or have low earnings?
In these situations a gap will occur in your contributions record which will lessen the amount of benefit you could claim. In order to warn you we will automatically send you a Missing Class 1 Contributions letter. This is a reminder that you have to take action.
Fill in the back of the notice if you were:
- Still at school or college;
- Not in the Island (please provide dates of periods of absence)
Please also tell us any other relevant information.
Send the letter back to us. You do not have to pay anything if you were in full time education or out of the Island.
If there is some other reason or you are uncertain call in to the Contributions Zone and talk to us.
Please ensure that you advise us of your circumstances. There may be a benefit or credit you can claim.
Part Nine - I have a disability - can I get any help?
There are services to help people with a disability prepare for work and to find a suitable job. There are also a range of benefits to assist you, please ask for details from the Contributions Zone.
Part Ten - What happens when I am sick or have an accident?
You can get benefit if you have paid enough Social Security contributions. If you are not able to work because of sickness or an injury you should ask your doctor or the hospital for a medical certificate. You apply for benefit by filling in the medical certificate and sending it to us. Remember your employer will also want to see it.
Part Eleven - Further information
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 are in doubt or have any questions or suggestions about the information contained in this leaflet.
Our staff are here to help you, so please do not hesitate to telephone us on 445505 or call into our office.
If you become unemployed you may wish to visit our website www.jobsinjersey.gov.je and search for current vacancies online.
The Social Security Department is covered by the current 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 445505 and we will be happy to send them to you.
