Support for registered workers in hardship

Today, the Minister for Social Security has launched CRESS, an emergency scheme to support registered people who have been working in Jersey for less than five years and who have lost their full-time employment income because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

The Government has also launched the Government Co-Funded Payroll Scheme, which will refund employers in eligible businesses a proportion of their wage bill.  This scheme is available to cover workers across multiple businesses sectors, including workers with less than 5 years residence.  Workers should contact their employer to check if they are covered by the Government Co-Funded Payroll Scheme, which also covers self employed workers.   

For registered workers who are not covered by the Payroll scheme, the COVID-19 Related Emergency Support Scheme (CRESS) provides weekly payments to cover basic costs. 

For people who have been working in Jersey for at least six months, a weekly payment will be available.  A single person will receive £150 a week and a couple who have both lost their employment income will receive £250 week.  A child supplement of £50 per child will also be available.

For those who have been working in Jersey for less than six months, an amount of £70 per week per person will be available.  Support with repatriation costs will be provided if travel arrangements can be made.
 
A condition of the CRESS scheme is that applicants are available to support any voluntary, Government or community work required during the Coronavirus emergency. They must also undertake relevant job-seeking activities and take up any paid employment that is available.

The scheme runs from 1 April and is planned to end on 30 June and payments will be made weekly in arrears. 

To apply for help through the Covid Related Emergency Support Scheme (CRESS), email CRESS@gov.je or call (01534) 444444. The Customer and Local Services building in La Motte Street is currently closed with services being delivered online and by telephone. More information is available online. 

The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, said: “It is an important part of Jersey’s financial safety net that people need to be in the Island for five years before they can ask for help from Income Support. That is our “business as usual,” and people who have been in the Island for less than 5 years don’t normally need help from the Government. 

“Today we face an extraordinary situation, where people who have come to the Island to work cannot support themselves, through no fault of their own. Some may be desperate to return home to family and friends, but must remain in Jersey for the time being.”

“The Council of Ministers has offered an unprecedented level of support to businesses through the Government Co-Funded Payroll Scheme. Phase 1 of that scheme also launches today, offering subsidies to eligible employers of up to £200 per week per employee for the period 20-31 March 2020. Phase 2 will provide up to 80% of wages to eligible businesses from 1 April to 30 June 2020.” 

“People with at least 5 years residence who lose their jobs despite the Payroll scheme can apply for help from Income Support. For those registered workers who can’t access income support, the new CRESS scheme will provide a weekly cash payment. It is less than the value of Income Support, but will help people meet their essential needs until life returns to normal.

”I am working with my ministerial colleagues to keep CRESS under review, along with the other financial and community schemes we have announced to deal with the impact of COVID-19, to ensure that we are delivering appropriate help to Islanders.”