Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do I have to pay Social Security?
- What is my Social Security Number?
- What do I get for my Contributions?
- When can I claim my Old Age Pension?
- How do I obtain a Health Card?
- How do I obtain a Registration Card?
- Where can I find out about Contributions and Benefits?
- What should I do, if I want to become Self-Employed?
- Can I get Health Care when I am abroad?
- I have got married or changed my name, what should I do?
- I have special needs; can you help me find work?
- Can you pay my benefit directly into my bank account?
- Where can I find out about my Employment Rights?
- I am leaving school, what should I do?
- I am leaving the Island, what should I do?
1. Why do I have to pay Social Security?
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Answer: Social Security is an insurance scheme, which means that you pay contributions into a central fund so that you can claim benefit when you are unable to work because you are ill or have an accident, on widowhood or at pension age. There are also benefits when you have a baby.
Provided you are eligible, the Jersey Health Scheme also provides benefits by way of reduced doctors’ and prescription fees.
2. What is my Social Security Number?
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Answer: Please write or call into the Department and if possible we will supply this information. You will be asked to supply your name, address and date of birth.
3. What do I get for my Contributions?
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Answer: In Jersey the Social Security scheme is paid for by contributions topped up by taxes. If you pay contributions you should be entitled to assistance which is known as ‘benefits’.
There are different kinds of benefit. For example, benefits paid when you are not able to work because you are ill or have had an accident, on widowhood or at pension age. There are also benefits when you have a baby or on death. These are “contributory” benefits. That means that you must have paid social security contributions to get them.
There are other benefits that do not rely on contributions. These benefits 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 in receipt of Attendance Allowance.
The Jersey Health Scheme also provides benefits by way of reduced doctor’s and prescription fees.
4. When can I claim my Old Age Pension?
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Answer: Pension is normally paid when you reach 65 years of age. However, you can claim a reduced pension at any point between the ages of 63 and 65.
Women who joined the scheme before 1 January 1975 can claim a pension when they reach the age of 60.
Further information can be obtained from this Website in the Pensions Zone
5. How do I obtain a Health Card?
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Answer: You must call into the Department and provided you are eligible, you will be issued with a card which shows your name and social security number. Please note; you will be asked to supply proof of your identity.
6. How do I obtain a Registration Card?
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Answer: Cards are issued to people when they first register with the Department. If you live in Jersey, this will normally be when you start a job after leaving school or university. It can also be when you are 16 years of age, still at school but starting a holiday job.
7. Where can I find out about Contributions and Benefits?
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Answer: Information is available on this Website. Please follow this link Contribution Levels and Benefit Rates
8. What should I do, if I want to become Self-Employed?
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Answer: Information is available on this Website. Please follow this link to People who are self employed and non-employed
9. Can I get Health Care when I am abroad?
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Answer: Jersey has reciprocal agreements with a number of countries. Information is available on this Website. Please follow this link to The Jersey Traveller's guide to health
10. I have got married or changed my name, what should I do?
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Answer: If you are a woman you can refer to the information available on this Website. Please follow this link to Options for the Married Woman
If you are a man, please contact the Work Zone in the Department.
11. I have special needs; can you help me find work?
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Answer: We provide a comprehensive range of services to assist and support individuals with a special need, into the workplace. These services include preparation of Curriculum Vitae, interview skills, agency placement services, on-the-job support and training, and work-place adaptations. The employment possibilities include a range of sheltered and open employment opportunities. Appropriate referrals to the service are accepted from any individual for whom disability is an impediment to either finding or maintaining work.
Please contact the Department for more information.
12. Can you pay my benefit directly into my bank account?
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Answer: Some benefits can be paid direct into your bank account but you will need to complete a form to give us all the relevant details. Please contact the Department and we will be happy to send you a copy.
13. Where can I find out about my Employment Rights?
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Answer: We recommend that you contact the Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service (JACS) on Tel. 730503 or via their Website on www.jacs.org.je
Guidelines on the Employment Law
Please follow the links below to obtain electronic copies of the Guidelines to the Employment law and the A-Z handbook
THE EMPLOYMENT (JERSEY) LAW 2003 - Guidelines
THE A-Z OF WORK
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14. I am leaving school, what should I do?
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Answer: Information is available on this Website. Please follow this link to Leaving School |
15. I am leaving the Island, what should I do?
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Answer: Please write to us to confirm the date of your departure, full names of those people who are leaving and their date of birth. We also ask that you send back to us your Registration and Health Benefits cards.
