Diffuse Mesothelioma special payment

About the payments

People who live in Jersey and who have diffuse mesothelioma, as a result of exposure to asbestos fibres, can apply for a payment from the Government of Jersey. Where a person does not receive a payment prior to their death, a close relative can apply for a payment. The payment is made as an interest free loan, which is only repayable if you receive additional compensation later on.

You should hear from Customer and Local Services (CLS) within a few days of having received your diagnosis, if you don’t, or you have questions please contact the Health Benefits Team at CLS on +44 (0) 1534 444444.

How to apply for a payment

You will need to complete a simple application form and send it to CLS.

Application form for people with diffuse mesothelioma

Application form for close relatives

Application forms are also available:

from medical consultants specialising in the condition at Jersey General Hospital
by telephone or email from Customer and Local Services

If help is required to complete the application form, please contact the Health Benefits team at CLS on +44 (0) 1534 444444.

Application deadlines

Applications can be submitted from 1 October 2019.

For individuals living with diffuse mesothelioma:

Date of diagnosis	Deadline of applying
Up to Monday 31 December 2018	Tuesday 31 December 2019
From Tuesday 1 January 2019	12 months from diagnosis

For a close relative of a person who has passed away as a result of diffuse mesothelioma:

Date of diagnosis	Deadline of applying
Between 1 October 2018 and 31 December 2018	Tuesday 31 December 2019
From Tuesday 1 January 2019	12 months from date of death

Help with your application

You can ask a friend or relative to act for you. The Health Benefits Team at CLS are also available to answer any questions you might have.

Who can apply for the payments

To receive a payment, the applicant must:

be aged 18 years or older; and
have lived in Jersey for the last 5 years (or the five years preceding their death); and
have a diagnosis of diffuse mesothelioma from a consultant in Jersey; and
have (at any time) been exposed to asbestos-containing materials in Jersey

be a close relative of a person who has passed away because of diffuse mesothelioma on or after 1 October 2018 and who would have been eligible to receive a payment
have lived in Jersey for the last 5 years

If a payment is made to a child, the payment will be placed in a trust fund for the child’s benefit.

The amount you will receive

The amount of the lump sum special payment for people living with diffuse mesothelioma is based on their age at the time of their diagnosis. The amounts range between £120,601 for an individual aged 37 and under to £18,740 for an individual aged 77 and over. For example, an individual aged 70 would receive a payment of £23,481.

Relatives of someone who has passed away as a result of diffuse mesothelioma can apply for a special payment lump sum amount based on the age of the person at the date of their death. For example, if the person was aged 70, the lump sum paid to the relative would be £10,393.

Proving your exposure to asbestos fibres occurred in Jersey

As far as possible, CLS will check this for you using employment and other records they hold.

Making a civil claim

You can still make a civil claim, but you must tell CLS. If your civil claim is successful, you will need to pay back some or all of your Government payment.

Will the payment affect my tax or benefits position?

If you live or pay tax in Jersey, the payment will not be taken into account when calculating your Jersey income tax or any Jersey social security benefits you may be entitled to.