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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Income Support Law and Regulations (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202-

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A decision made 25 April 2024:

Decision Reference:  MD-SOSEC-2024-316

Public

Subject: Lodge: Income Support Law and Regulations (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202-

 

Report Title: Ministerial Report - Care Needs at Home

Public

Decision(s):

The Minister decided to lodge legislation to amend the Income Support (Jersey) Law 2007 (the Law) and the Income Support (Jersey) Regulations 2007. If approved, these changes will introduce a new special component under Article 5 of the Law, called the 'ancillary home care costs component'.    The new component will provide £30.03 per week in additional financial support for around 265 families (or individuals) who are on Income Support and receiving their care from the Long-Term Care scheme. This extra support is designed to recognise the additional ancillary (non-care) costs that are faced as a result of care being provided at home.

Reason for Decision(s):

The lodging of the Draft Income Support Law and Regulations (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- is the final step in completing a project set out in the Minister for Social Security’s 2023 Delivery Plan.    The Delivery Plan provides the following narrative: MSS P2.2 - 'Review the benefits and support available to adults with long term care needs and their carers. By considering the support provided to people receiving care in their own home, their carers and younger adults in 2023'.   In addition, these proposals support a wider Government aim of removing barriers to receiving care at home.

Resource Implications: The current Government Plan includes an allocated budget of £550,000 per annum for this work. The cost of the initial introduction of the new component, the operational cost associated with its setup and implementation and some expected growth in spend during the first year – all fall within the available budget.  Some increase in this budget is expected in future years as it is hoped the scheme will result in more low income households choosing a care package at home. However, it is also hoped that the implementation of the scheme will help to mitigate the anticipated growth in LTC spend, by reducing the proportion of LTC claimants who need a residential care placement.   Based on numbers provided by the Customer and Local Services Pensions and Care team, we estimate that on average, res care packages cost around £15,000 more a year than home care packages.   If the scheme results in one in five low income families maintaining a home care package for an extra 6 months before needing to move to a care home, the savings to the LTC scheme in terms of care costs would be around £375,000 in that period, which would be a significant contribution towards covering the cost of this new component.  Separate arrangements will be established (via Ministerial Decision) for two legacy cohorts, who, since the launch of the LTC scheme have been subject to slightly different funding for their care. Given the complexity and history of many of these cases, the Minister has decided to maintain and formalise those arrangements going forward. There is no additional cost implication for these groups.

 

Action Required: Private Secretary to ask the Greffier of the States to arrange for the items to be presented to the States Assembly for debate at the States sitting on the 11th June 2024.

Signature:

 

 

Signed By: Minister for Social Security

Date Signed:

 

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

 

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