Eligibility for pensioner healthcare scheme expanded

Tuesday 05 September 2023

A scheme which helps lower-income pensioners to access healthcare has been expanded to include those with assets of up to £64,000 – an increase on the former threshold of £30,000.

The Pension Plus scheme, which provides support with dental, optical and chiropody costs, is available to pensioners under the asset threshold who are receiving a Jersey old-age pension or have 'entitled' status and do not pay tax.

The assets cap does not include the value of the pensioner's property.

The value of benefits available under the scheme has also increased to support the following:

• Up to £55 towards an eye test every two years.

• Up to £165 towards new prescription glasses, lenses or contact lenses every two years.

• Up to £55 towards a dental check-up every year.

• Up to £950 towards dental treatment or dentures every two years. If dentures are needed this can be taken as £1,900 over a four-year period.

• Up to £165 towards the cost of the cost of chiropody treatment from a registered chiropodist every year.

Pictured: Social Security Minister Elaine Millar hopes that the changes "will allow more pensioners to receive support from this scheme".

Announcing the changes, Social Security Minister Elaine Millar said: "The scheme provides well targeted support to lower income pensioners to make sure that they are accessing regular health check-ups and getting the treatments they need.

"Looking after your eyes, teeth and feet are very important as you get older. The changes I have made will allow more pensioners to receive support from this scheme.

"I hope that these increases to the amounts mean that pensioners will make full use of the benefits and get the right check-ups and treatments to support their health and wellbeing."