Diffuse Mesothelioma: Special payments

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A decision made on 27 September 2019

Decision Reference: MD-S-2019-0066
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Diffuse Mesothelioma special payments		Date of Decision Summary:	25/9/2019
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	Policy Principal
Written Report Title :	WR - Diffuse Mesothelioma special payments		Date of Written Report:	25/9/2019
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report: Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Diffuse Mesothelioma - special payments
Decision(s): The Minister decided to present a report to the States Assembly setting out the manner in which diffuse mesothelioma loan payments can be applied for and the circumstances in which they are required to be repaid. The Minister will amend the Income Support Policy Guidelines to extend the payments that can be made under Articles 8 (2) and 8(5) of the Income Support (Jersey) Law 2007, to include loan payments to individuals with diffuse mesothelioma and, in the event that an individual with diffuse mesothelioma is deceased before making a claim, to provide a loan payment to a close relative of the individual. All payments under the Guidelines will be made as interest free loans, as provided for under Article 8(5) of the Income Support Law. Payments will be available from 1 October 2019.
Reason(s) for Decision: Following the States Assembly’s approval of proposition (P.124/2018), the Minister has extended the Income Support Policy Guidelines to include interest free loans for individuals with diffuse mesothelioma or their close relatives.
Resource Implications: One-off lump-sum loan payments will be paid by tax-funded monies, supported by existing CLS Departmental benefit budgets from 1 October 2019 – 31 December 2019. From 1 January 2020 payments will require funding through the Government Plan. The CLS Department will manage the administration of payments within existing resources. It is estimated that there will be up to five payments per year (not including the first year) with an estimated cost of £150,000 per annum. There may be additional costs in 2019 in respect of a small additional number of transitional payments.
Action required: Policy principal to arrange for amended policy guidelines to be published on gov.je. Policy Principal to request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the written report to be presented to the States Assembly as soon as possible
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):