26 July 2023
Yesterday, the Minister for Social Security, Deputy Elaine Millar, along with Assistant Minister
Deputy Malcolm Ferey, took part in a Scrutiny Public Hearing as part of the ongoing review into
Income Support Overpayments.
Income Support is an important lifeline for many individuals and families in our community, providing essential financial assistance when it is needed the most.
Income Support payments are
made in advance, so low-income families are supported quickly when their circumstances require it.
Making payments in advance will often lead to temporary overpayments - when a payment is
made that is above the current legal entitlement. The recovery process, normally based on small
weekly deductions, is designed to be affordable for the claimant, as well as ensuring fairness to
taxpayers and maintaining equal treatment for all benefit claimants.
The Minister expressed her appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the Income Support
team in regularly handling a large volume of changes to aim to keep Income Support claims up to
date.
Social Security Minister, Deputy Elaine Millar Minister said: "Our commitment to Islanders extends
to ensuring that our benefit system operates with fairness and transparency.
“I would encourage any Islander who has any questions or concerns related to their benefits,
eligibility, or any other inquiries, to get in touch with CLS. In particular, any Islander who is worried
about repaying an overpayment should contact the Department to discuss their repayment plan.
“The Income Support team work to provide comprehensive support to those who need it, while
protecting the rights of taxpayers. Our focus is not only on supporting those in need but also on
maintaining the public's trust in our systems."
To contact us, you can use any of the following methods:
gov.je