That’s because Social Security said it could no longer afford to fund it as the £85 to 19,000 Islanders was costing the department well over £1.5million each year.
However, it seems Social Security Minister Susie Pinel isn’t such a curmudgeonly Scrooge after all and says because States finances are better than expected, she wants to bring back the bonus this year in a modified form.
In the past, all pensioners were entitled to the bonus, but the new proposed system though will be means tested so not all pensioners will get the £84.87. The aim is to only give it to the really needy. In terms of pensioners that means two groups (1) those who are on Income Support; and (2) those who are over 65-years-old, receive a Jersey old-age pension or hold ‘entitled status, are ordinarily resident, not liable to pay income tax, and have household savings of under £30,000 (excluding the value of the family home and normal household possessions).
Adults and children who have a significant disability and full-time informal carers who are on Income Support will also be entitled to the bonus.
It’s estimated more than 5,100 people will qualify for a Christmas bonus by 2019 and that it will cost the department around £436,000 every year.