New Consultation on Income Support launched.

25 September 2006

The Minister for Social Security, Senator Paul Routier has today issued a public consultation paper and questionnaire on the details of the new Income Support proposals

The system being developed will be unique to Jersey and is a major change to the way the Island delivers support to members of the community needing financial assistance. The main Income Support law which sets the framework for the new system will be debated by the States in October.

Feedback from this further consultation document on the various proposals will then help to develop the details of the new system which will be debated by the States in the early part of next year.

A questionnaire has been included at the end of the consultation report and Senator Routier is hoping to receive feedback from a wide cross section of the community.” I believe that the new Income Support scheme will be a fairer way of targeting benefit to local residents in real need”, he said today.” Our aim is to keep the system simple to reduce administration and make it accessible to all. Feedback from the public will help to ensure that the scheme meets the needs of the community”.

The consultation opens on Monday 25 September and will close on Monday 20 November 2006.

                                                                        -ends-

1. For further information, please contact Tom Gales, Policy and Strategy Director at Social Security on Tel: 280300

2. Printed copies of the Consultation document are available from the Social Security Department.

3. A  copy of the Public Consultation document is available to download from this website.