Carers' benefits unchanged for pension recipients.

Jersey will not change benefits to allow carers who receive pensions to also claim the home carers' allowance, with the Social Security Minister citing cost; the government plans to revise care assessments, introduce a dedicated advisor and improve information for unpaid carers.

Jersey's Social Security Minister has decided not to change the benefits rules to allow carers who receive pensions to also claim the home carers' allowance. The decision follows a two-month review of support for unpaid carers. Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said the change would be too costly and gave estimated figures for different uptake scenarios. The minister announced steps to improve assessments and information for carers. Key points: - The government will not alter the benefits system to permit carers on pensions to claim the home carers' allowance. - Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said the change would cost about £1.5m per 100 carers a year and about £7.5m for 500 carers. - The review led to commitments to rearrange how care needs are assessed, to make it easier for carers to receive money directly, and to make care packages more flexible to better reflect individual needs. - A dedicated advisor for carers will be appointed, and a new government webpage and an information booklet will be published to explain available support. - The review noted limited recent updates to respite care funding and a shortage of facilities on the island, and the government said a more in-depth review of respite services is needed. - A Carer Connect Me event is scheduled for Tuesday 17 March to bring islanders together to share information and resources. Summary: The decision keeps current benefit eligibility in place while directing work toward clearer information, assessment changes and short-term support measures. Officials cited financial cost as the main reason for not changing eligibility, and they announced a dedicated advisor, new information materials and a planned further review of respite services.