Proposal to give dual benefits for pensioner carers

Jersey's politicians could vote on a proposition for a reserve fund to be used to enable people to receive both an old age pension and a home carer's allowance.

It comes after a carer said he was disappointed the government had ruled out changing the benefits systems to enable pensioners with caring responsibilities to also claim the home carers' allowance.

In a proposition, Deputy Max Andrews asked the social security minister Deputy Lyndsay Feltham to find out the number of old age pensioners caring for someone with "high level care needs" who could be entitled to receive both payments by 31 December.

The government said Feltham had noted the proposition and would "review the details".

Andrews asked if Feltham could work alongside the treasury and resources minister Deputy Elaine Millar to see if they could use the social security reserve fund "sustainably to supplement" the funding and include the plans within the government's budget plan for 2028 to 2031.

The government said Feltham would "respond more fully as part of the States Assembly Debate process" - it will be debated on Tuesday 10 March at the earliest.

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