Income Support: Submission of Evidence: 14 Day Time Limit

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

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The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 12 August 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2015-0064
Decision Summary Title :	Time limits on further evidence for Income Support		Date of Decision Summary:	31 July 2015
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:	Policy Principal
Written Report Title :			Date of Written Report:
Written Report Author:			Written Report : Public or Exempt?
Subject: Income Support (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2008 – Time limits on further evidence for Income Support
Decision(s):The Minister has decided that a 14 day time limit will apply for the submission of evidence required under Article 8(2) of the Income Support (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2008 and that such evidence must be submitted in writing. Article 8 deals with the notification of any change of circumstances and sub-paragraph 8(2) relates to the furnishing of information relating to the change of circumstances.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 8 of the Income Support (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2008 provides that households in receipt of Income Support must notify the Minister in writing of any change of circumstances that might affect entitlement to, or the level of payments of, Income Support. This must be notified within 14 days of the change occurring. Article 8(2) specifically requires that the person must also, in such manner and within such time as the Minister may specify, furnish such information as the Minister may require as a consequence of the change of circumstances. To specify this manner and time limit, the Minister has determined that a 14 day time limit will apply, and that the information must be submitted to the Department in writing in line with other departmental procedures.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Policy Principal to advise relevant Social Security Officers of this decision.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Social Security
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):