Benefits and financial support in Jersey
If you're in receipt of benefits where you currently live, you should inform the relevant authorities that you are moving to Jersey to check if you’ll still be eligible for that benefit.
Income Support
Income Support is an income-related benefit for Jersey residents that provides financial support towards the cost of living, housing, medical needs and childcare.
Typically, you need to have been living in Jersey continuously for 5 years before you're able to claim.
You may be entitled to claim Income Support if:
you have a low household income
you are working, looking for work or exempt from looking for work
you or your partner pass the residence test
Disability allowance
In Jersey we don’t have a separate Disability Living Allowance. All these needs are met by the Income Support benefit mentioned above.
Jobseekers' allowance
Like Disability Allowance, Jersey does not have a separate Jobseekers' allowance. This is part of the Income Support benefit. If you’re moving to Jersey for the first time, you will not be able to claim this on arrival in the island.
Housing
The Affordable Housing Gateway manages the waiting list for everyone registered for social housing in Jersey. In order to qualify, you must have 'Entitled'
residential status. You can gain 'Entitled' status after living in Jersey for 10 years.
Maternity
There are two maternity benefits available in Jersey - a
Maternity Grant and
Maternity Allowance.
The Maternity Grant is a single (tax free) payment to help with the cost of having a baby. Maternity Allowance is paid weekly to help you take time off work to have a baby. It’s paid for a maximum of 18 weeks.
Your entitlement for Maternity benefits is based on your Social Security contribution record. You must have paid enough contributions to be entitled.
Home Responsibility Protection (HRP)
If you have a child under school age and you are either staying at home to care for your child or working 20 hours or less per week, you can apply for
HRP credits. These credits protect your Social Security contribution record for pension purposes. They do not cover you for sickness or maternity benefits.
You will need to have been living in Jersey for at least six months to claim. You can claim HRP for a maximum of 10 years over your working life.
Sick pay
If you’re signed off work sick by a doctor, you may be eligible for
Short Term Incapacity Allowance (STIA). A doctor must confirm you’re unable to work and issue you with a medical certificate.
This benefit is paid based on your Social Security contribution history from 6 months before your sickness started. The benefit is payable for up to 12 months before you can make a claim for Long Term Incapacity Allowance.
Long term illness or injury benefit
Long Term Incapacity Allowance (LTIA) is a benefit which helps if you have a long term illness or injury. LTIA is based on your Social Security contribution history.
Most people receiving this benefit will have claimed STIA for 12 months beforehand. To claim LTIA, you must complete a claim form, be assessed by a GP and attend a medical assessment.
Long Term Care
If you’re over 18 and need help with daily care for the rest of your life, there’ is financial support available from the
long-term care (LTC) fund. Care needs are assessed by a Health Care worker to confirm eligibility.
To qualify for LTC, you must have either lived in Jersey for ten years immediately before you apply, or lived in Jersey for ten years continuously as an adult in the past and for another year immediately before applying.
Pensions
Find out the pension age in Jersey.
If you work and pay Social Security contributions in Jersey for a minimum of 4.5 years, you’ll be entitled to claim a Jersey old age pension.
If you work and pay Social Security contributions in Jersey for less than 4.5 years, you may be entitled to a Jersey old age pension, if you’ve worked and paid sufficient contributions in a country that we have an agreement with.
gov.je