07 October 2020
On 17 November 2020, the States Assembly will
debate Regulations lodged by the Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, to update the Island’s maternity benefits and provide better support for families.
Currently, there are three benefits available to new parents:
If approved by the States Assembly, these benefits will be updated to recognise the role of all parents in the birth and care of young children:
- Parental Allowance will be claimable by both parents (including adoptive and surrogate parents) for up to 32 weeks, which can be split between them
- Parental Grant will replace the Maternity Grant and Adoptive Parent Grant, and will be claimable by all parents, including adoptive and surrogate parents.
If the changes are approved, the value of the allowances and the grant will remain the same. Parents will still be required to have paid a certain amount of Social Security contributions in order to be able to get the full amount of the benefit.
The new benefits will be available to any parents whose child is expected to be born or adopted on or after 1 January 2021.
Birth mothers who are currently claiming the Maternity Allowance will not be affected by these changes. Customer and Local Services will be contacting parents-to-be who may be eligible for the new Parental Benefits with details of how to apply.
Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, said: “I’m proud to be presenting these regulations to the States Assembly: they are another important step in making Jersey more family-friendly for working parents.
“The States Assembly has already amended the Employment Law to give all parents the right to 52 weeks’ leave (including 6 weeks’ paid leave), and breastfeeding rights in the workplace.
“These new benefits recognise that the role of parents – and families – has changed since maternity benefits were introduced in the 1970s. If approved, they will support all parents who want to take time off to care for a new child.”
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