Long-term care benefits going up

Tuesday 06 December 2022

Long-term care benefits are due to rise by 12% while the care sector struggles against growing cost pressures.

The government has confirmed the above-inflation uplift will be used to help islanders meet the cost of care and will come into force at the beginning of next month.

As well as the increase to weekly care rates under the Long-Term Care scheme, ministers have also decided to set up a project to review the home care sector. The review is in response to recommendations made by the Jersey Care Commission in their recent report.

Health Minister Karen Wilson said: "The Jersey Care Commission's recently published report highlighted the need for government to do more to support the care sector - in recognition of the vital work it does for our community. In applying this significant increase in benefit values, the Social Security Minister and I are looking to do just that.

"The commissioning of a market review of the home care market is an essential step to ensure that the island has a sustainable and equitable care market and we both look forward to working with the sector over the coming months."

Pictured: Deputy Wilson said carrying out a market review of the home care market was "essential".

The Commission stated that the government should consider how it can assist and support the care sector to deliver sustainable services taking into account the increasingly ageing local community.

Social Security Minister Elaine Millar added: "I believe we have a Long-Term Care scheme that the island can be proud of, but it is vital that we recognise the increased pressures being felt right now by care providers and islanders who are using the scheme. This unprecedented increase in long-term care benefit values and the associated market review is an important first step in implementing the commitment I have made to review the Long-Term Care scheme."

Deputy Millar's review will focus on communication material that it published about Long-Term Care, following feedback from many islanders and providers about the complexity of the scheme and their difficulties in understanding it.